Kara Smith at NYSUT reports on the New York State United Teachers graduating its Social Justice Academy’s inaugural class:

The New York State United Teachers’ (NYSUT) Social Justice Academy started in March with a weekend-long session to introduce the program and set goals and a budget.

The two-part program was created to educate the Union’s Members about Social Justice issues and teaches them how to raise awareness and advocate for change in their communities.

The goal is for participants to form either a local Social Justice or a Civil and Human Rights Committee and leave with a concrete plan to increase awareness and activism within their community.

During a four-day July intensive iteration session, scores of NYSUT Members fine-tuned their plans, developed implementation strategies and learned about different aspects of Social Justice work, including community engagement, recruitment and team building, Racial Justice, and the intersection between poverty, LGBTQ and gender issues.

Piloting the program are the Brentwood Teachers Association, the Syracuse Teachers Association, The Tri Valley Teachers Association, the Solvay Teachers Association and the United Federation of Teachers.

NYSUT Secretary-Treasurer J. Philippe Abraham - whose office coordinates Social Justice initiatives, said: “The Locals participating this year were hand-picked, but we plan to have an application process to select ten Locals to continue the program next year.  The Locals’ growth from March to now is incredible, they’re on fire, really energized and engaged in the work.  It’s amazing to see them gel and learn about their different colleagues and communities.”

Abraham, who noted that the pilot locals run the gamut from urban to rural and stretch across New York State.

To Read This Labor News Report In Its Entirety, Go To: NYSUT Social Justice Academy graduates first cohort

Photo Courtesy Of NYSUT’s Website.