Voting will take place on Wednesday, May 24th from 2:06-3:06pm in the teacher resource area.
GLTO Executive Board Ballot |
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President |
Chris Andros* – Social Studies–ELA, ELE, and SS Cluster |
Vice President |
Cynthia Adler Mubiru* English–ELA, ELE, and SS Cluster
Susan O’Hare – Early Childhood Ed–Personal Services Cluster |
Secretary |
Sonia Dickson* – Design and Visual–Technology Cluster |
Treasurer |
Paul McNeil* – Program Web Dev.–Technology Cluster |
Academic Representative (4) |
Robin Tylim – Math — Math and Science Cluster Tia Ouellette – English — ELA and SS Cluster Kimberly Febres* – Science–Math and Science Cluster Karen Jackson* – Math–Math and Science Cluster Brian Martin* – Social Studies–ELA, ELE, and SS Cluster Jen Rousseau – Social Studies–ELA, ELE, and SS Cluster Thomas Shanley* – Social Studies–ELA, ELE, SS and Cluster Carol Fine – English — ELE Cluster Helen Sullivan – Math — Math and Science Cluster |
Technical Representative (4) |
Rene (Butch) Dion* – Graphics–Technology Cluster Timothy Duby* – P & D–Construction Cluster Rick Martin – Marketing — Personal Services Cluster Richard Zaker -HVAC –Construction Cluster |
Non-Instructional Representative (1) |
Tricia Camire* – Guidance Counselor–Guidance Cluster |
| *incumbent | |
BIOGRAPHIES |
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| Position | Photo | Biography |
President |
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| Christopher Andros* | ||
Vice President |
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| Cynthia Adler Mubiru* | I began teaching at Greater Lowell Technical High School in 2008 in the English department. I have since met some of my dearest friends and have many cherished memories from Greater Lowell Tech. The culture of a school is important, and it is my belief that problems can be solved by working hand in hand with administration toward common goals: our students are the priority.
It is also equally important to work within the confines of our contract and advocate for teachers’ rights. I was elected to the office of GLTO Vice President in 2019 —at the time unaware of the challenges a pandemic would create for schools across the country. I feel tremendous pride in how the teachers and administrators worked together to get through such a difficult time. During my term I have served on two reopening task force committees, helped negotiate two MOAs, negotiated a contract, and served as a healthcare trustee. I also sat in on a level IV grievance. I attended executive board meetings monthly. I have learned so much over the past four years. As Vice President, I did my best to answer phone calls, texts and emails and be available to teachers to the best of my ability. If re-elected, I will continue to try to help solve problems and will continue to speak up and advocate for teachers. |
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| Susan O’Hare | Greetings! I am Susan O’Hare and I am running for Vice-President of the Greater Lowell Teachers Organization. I have been at GLTECH for 17 years and teach Early Childhood Exploratory and Jr/Sr Theory. I have been serving on the Executive Board as a Technical Representative since 2021. I am running for Vice-President because I want to focus my energy on impacting change at a higher level. As a Vice-President, I can expand my involvement beyond the limitations of an e-board member. I want more time to work hand-in-hand with the elected President, support all teachers & counselors, protect your rights in the workplace and resolve any issues you may have. When I was elected as an E-Board member, I understood the time commitment expected of me. I attend every meeting from start to finish. I speak up. I am approachable, listen to your concerns, research your issues, respect your confidentiality and ensure your voice is head. Keeping you informed is my priority. I will continue to familiarize you with our “contract language” and provide you with the facts you need to make important decisions and advocate for yourself. I come with experience. Over 30 years in public education, a former social worker, academic teacher, and now a vocational instructor with a passion for the trades. I was a member of the Negotiation Team and negotiated our existing contract. I work on multiple committees including the School Improvement Committee, Exploratory Committee, Focus Groups, Curriculum Data Team, Reaching Resilience Committee, Opening Day Committee, and the Professional Development Committee to name a few.I like to meet and mingle at our ongoing GLTO social gatherings, get to know each of you more personably, and respect the great work you do for our students. It’s never too early to start thinking about our next teacher contract. It would be a great honor to become your next Vice-President. I would appreciate your vote. Thank you very much. Susan O’Hare |
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Secretary |
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| Sonia Dickson* | I have been on the e-board as a technical representative for two years and as the secretary for two years. In that time I built a new website for the GLTO to keep our membership better informed. I initiated and maintained an email list-serve via the Action Network. I organized and scheduled all the e-board meetings, as well as the general membership meetings. I also served on the MOA Bargaining committee. My intention with running for secretary is to continue working hard to keep the membership informed. | |
Treasurer |
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| Paul McNeil* |
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Academic Representative
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| Robin Tylim | I am honored to have been nominated to serve on the union board. I’ve been a Math teacher at Greater Lowell Technical High School for the last 9 years. Prior to that I had a successful career in Finance in NYC and I’m still an active Certified Public Accountant. I’ve served on the Health Care trust committee for the last three years working to establish competitive health insurance rates and ensure high quality benefits are provided. I feel strongly about advocating for teacher’s rights especially regarding compensation. My passion is personal finance, so I believe I could do a quality job of performing the analysis necessary to fight. I appreciate your vote! | |
| Tia Ouellette |
Although my name is Christia, most, if not all, people know me as Tia. I’m currently in my tenth year teaching, and ninth year teaching specifically at GLTech. I’m an English teacher who has consistently taught tenth graders.
Along with teaching, I have been a part of numerous committees: School Improvement Planning Committee, School Council, Reopening Task Force, Guiding Coalition Committee, and Literacy Action Team. I enjoy being an active participant in the school community, especially when it comes to helping enact change for the better of the school and, more importantly, my colleagues.
My involvement in the school community reaches beyond committees as I am also a coach and have been on and off for multiple years. I’ve coached JV Girls Soccer and Outdoor Track.
The school is incredibly important to me, and I would love to be a part of the E-board in order to help ensure we are getting the support we need and deserve.
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| Thomas Shanley* | ||
| Brian Martin* |
I have been a member of the Social Studies Department for over 18 years, as well a a coach here at GL for 17 years. During my 4 years on the E-Board, I have worked with my colleagues in the union to ensure our work environment is the best it can be. We weathered the pandemic and secured a fair contract. I believe our union representatives must be willing to stand up for our contractual rights as well as have the ability to communicate openly with the administration on smaller issues. Please consider me for one of your votes. |
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| Jennifer Rousseau | I am asking for your support to be elected to the E-board. I have been teaching US History and coaching Track and Field GLTHS for the past 5 years. Last contract cycle, I was appointed to serve as an alternate on the Contract Negotiation Team, where I successfully advocated to increase our sick time usage from 8 – 12 weeks during FMLA. As many of you know, it is crucial that parents be able to use as much of their accumulated sick time as possible after the birth of a child.
If elected to E Board, I have three areas that I will be paying close attention to preparing in advance of our next contract bargaining. Of course I care about pay increases and health care, as do we all, but I would also like to champion issues that support our members. First, advocate for teachers with young families, like establishing a formal and appointed lactation room and sick time flexibility. Second, advocate for increased per diem pay, rate is currently at $36/hour and has been that way for nearly a decade. Third, we need to continue to increase the PD reimbursement to accommodate the financial burden that is associated with our profession. Those who know me well already, know that I am professional, articulate and willing to be the voice for those who need an advocate. Thank you for considering me with your vote!
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| Karen Jackson* | Hello. My name is Karen Jackson and I am running for an academic E-board position. I joined GLTECH in 2011 as a math instructor, and have been fairly active in the school serving on many committees over the years as well as an adviser. While I am certainly comfortable in leadership roles, my style is all about collaboration—and that’s why I am running for a second term. I genuinely believe that the best outcomes happen when there are level-headed people working together to find the areas of “win-win”. I believe my current E-board colleagues would describe me as a person who is not afraid to use my voice, detailed oriented, and dependable. Going into the last term, my two primary goals were to (1) help bring our membership closer together with good communication and team building, and (2) assist with rewriting GLTO’s outdated bylaws so that we have a document that is clear and consistent with our GLTO practices. We still have opportunities to improve our solidarity, and I would like to continue to contribute towards that goal. With respect to the bylaws, I have served on a four-member subcommittee throughout my two-year term, and we now have a document for your review and approval. GLTO will be entering a contract negotiation cycle shortly. Know that—if elected—I show up! I will be at every meeting and subcommittee meeting looking at the details making sure that our intent is translated into words. I am asking for your vote. Thank you for your consideration. | |
| Kim Febres* |
My name is Kimberly Febres, I am running for the position of Academic Representative Seat. I have been a science teacher here at G.L.T.H.S. for 27years. As such, I have been a part of numerous contracts including holding an academic representative seat and being on a negotiating committee early on in my teaching career. I have always been active in the school community by taking leadership roles. Such roles include Senior Class Advisor, Yearbook Advisor, Student Council Advisor, Re-Opening Task Force Member, Peer Leader Advisor, Chorus Club Advisor, Summer School Instructor, Project GLASS instructor, Middle School Technical Academy Instructor Dance Team Coach and School Council Member just to name a few. All of these experiences, invluding being a parent of a student attending Greater Lowell, have taught me many lessons and given me great perspective on how the school functions as a whole. I am a hard working, open minded woman with good organizational skills. I feel my strongest attribute is my ability to work collaboratively with my peers. If I am elected I will do my very best to always represent your best interests and maintain an open door policy. I believe transparency and open communication are the absolute foundation for a successful organization. Thank you for considering me for the position of Academic Representative. |
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| Carol Fine |
My name is Carol (Stack) Fine, and I am honored to be nominated to the E-Board as an Academic representative. This is my 16th year as a certified teacher in ESL, Special ED, and ELA, and my 11th year at Gltech, teaching ELE, grades 9-12. I love teaching because I am constantly learning from my colleagues and students, and I especially enjoy teaching ELE because it gives me the opportunity to explore and appreciate the rich and diverse tapestry of cultures represented within Gltech and greater Lowell. I often refer to teaching as my retirement career because it was preceded by many years in corporate human resources and higher education. In these various capacities, I have advocated for Ells, students with disabilities, disadvantaged students, and employees alike. I am a strong proponent of equity and transparency in education and the workforce. To that end, I strive to keep an open mind, reserve judgment, and solve problems through open communication. In my years at Gltech, I have been involved in many broader school activities beyond the classroom, including: the Literary Action Committee, the Incoming Summer Program, Title 3 field trips and Homework Club, ELPAC, Social-Emotional Learning, Mentoring, and, most recently, the Little Free Library initiative, to name a few. I am continuously inspired by the talent, dedication, and support of my colleagues, and I am proud and grateful to be a member of the Gltech community. If elected, I pledge to represent you and advocate on your behalf as we work together to sustain a healthy and rewarding work environment. Thank you for your consideration. |
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| Helen Sullivan |
Hello GLTO members,
My name is Helen Sullivan and I am one of the math teachers. I would appreciate your vote for an academic position on our E-Board.
I have been teaching in public education for 31 years and have served as a negotiating team member, Executive Board Secretary, and Executive Board member before coming to GLTECH. I understand the importance of having strong leaders in these roles.
Since the pandemic, I have tried to attend as many E-Board meetings as possible to stay informed and help mentor my fellow GLTO members. I wanted to be knowledgeable of what is required here and what impact I might be able to make as a member. Although E-Board meetings are open to all members, most of the time I was the only non Executive Board member attending. I believe as a union we should all know when the E-Board meetings are and what topics are being discussed. Union members should have access to information about what the Union does and how we can help make our Union the best.
If elected, I will push for meeting reminders to be sent out in advance, with the agenda and have the meeting minutes sent to your home emails, for easy access and transparency. I will work to represent all union members. I will listen to any concerns and/or issues you may have, maintain confidentiality, and present your thoughts at the monthly meeting. If a conclusion is reached I will report back to you or update you on the progress. The union stewards and members need to work together for the collective good of the GLTO community.
Next year we will begin negotiations for a new contract. I understand the importance of getting the best possible deal and protecting the collective bargaining agreement, while trying to make improvements. I will work to get GLTO a respectable agreement that represents the dedicated professionals we are.
I appreciate your vote.
Thank you,
Helen
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Technical Representative
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| Rick Martin |
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| Timothy Duby* | Hello Everyone, My name is Timothy Duby and I teach Painting and Design. I have been teaching in technical education for 22 years, workedat Greater Lowell for 17 years, and have been serving on the E- board for the past 2.3 years.Not only do I believe in technical education, I am a graduate of a trade school.I am running for re-election to the Executive Board as a Technical Representative. While I advocate for all GLTO members, I enjoy being a voice for the technical side of the house and ensuring that all members are treated equitably. When members ask me a work-related question, I find the answer. I am not afraid to bring up “new business” at any executive board meeting in order to find the solutions to problems that members might be dealing with. I tackle issues straight on. During my term on the E-Board, I have been working hard to build a strong union. Teaching is hard work, and you deserve to get to know your colleagues for support, mutual respect and friendship. I believe that “connecting socially”,whether in the parking lot, at the cafe or at our monthly social gatherings, builds relationships with each other and supports our camaraderie as a union. It’s a good vibe.I would appreciate your support in re-electing me to the E-Board. Thank you, Tim Duby |
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| Rene (Butch) Dion* | ||
| Richard Zaker | I am honored to have been nominated to our executive board. I was brought up union. My father was a union stewarded his Operating Engineers local for over 20 years. That’s where I inherited my belief inorganized labor. Back in the 1990’s I was employed by the local gas utility. We were represented by the United Steel Workers and as member I was on the negotiating committee as well as the steward representing the service department. At my last school I was a member of both the executive board and the negotiating committee at time when we ratified a vote to strike. | |
Non-Instructional Representative
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| Tricia Camire* |
Hello fellow members: My name is Tricia (Daigle) Camire. I am a Greater Lowell Gryphon Class of 1988 – Data Processing. This is my 19th year serving as a School Counselor. I served as an e-board member from 2013 to 2019 and 2021-2023. Over the years, I’ve worked collaboratively throughout the building not only in my previous role as Gender Equity Specialist/Counselor but also as a member of many teams and committees included but not limited to:
Folks who know me may attest that I am both honest and loyal to a fault. I have extensive advocacy experience from being a school counselor as well as from professional experiences prior to working in education. My goal as a board member is to give light to the unique considerations of the growing non-instructional staff. Non-instructional members are those DESE licensed professionals who do not have teaching responsibilities. Your vote is appreciated. Thank you for your time and consideration. |
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| *incumbent | ||