Our Slate

Metropolitan Business Academy

Leslie has been working in New Haven Public Schools for over 20 years and has been a high school Social Studies teacher and 933 member since 2007. In addition to teaching, she serves as senior class advisor and SPMT chair at Metropolitan. She is an activist and organizer on issues related to our classrooms and our city. She has marched with labor unions and community groups in the name of economic, social, and racial justice. And she uses her voice to fight privatization, budget cuts, and layoffs in our schools, promote high quality alternatives to high stakes testing, and advocate for equitable policies that benefit all of our school communities. Leslie lives in the Hill neighborhood with her family and her daughter is a first grader in NHPS. She believes in the future of New Haven and she is ready to join with her fellow teachers and fight for what is right.

Barnard Environment Studies Magnet School

For the past 23 years Jonathan Q. Berryman has served as a teacher in New Haven Public Schools. During that time, he has served in a variety of capacities including as a cooperating teacher, a team leader, a climate leader, an instructional manager, and a member of various school committees such as the SPMT, SSST, PBIS, and the BLDT. Jonathan’s work over the years has helped him to realize that teachers are not just employees. Teachers are vital stakeholders in shaping the best practices that students need to thrive. From Jonathan’s perspective, if our students are to truly be prepared for college, career, and life, the collective voices of the teaching force must be articulated, presented, and valued as co-laborers in creating the shared vision that our schools and our district need. Jonathan is joining the Fighting for our Future team to help illuminate the voices of our teachers as educational professionals so that comfortably teaching for 35 or more years within the NHPS can be a realistic option for more of our talented educators to consider.

Jonathan holds degrees from Princeton University and Yale University and a Sixth Year Certificate in Educational Leadership, with 092 Certification, from Sacred Heart University. He is currently completing his doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy at Southern Connecticut State University where part of his dissertation focuses on the factors that influence teacher recruitment, retention, and turnover.

New Haven Academy

My name is Marco Cenabre. I teach Literature at New Haven Academy. I’ve taught for 8 years in our district. I am an NHPS graduate, and as a kindergartener, proudly represented the Philippines in Davis St. School’s first ever International Day. At my building, I am a department lead, the designer of our Advisory curriculum, and also lead the Senior Leader Program which focuses on student-to-student mentorship and the ongoing improvement of school culture. I am a passionate learner, consistently seeking opportunities to improve and grow in my craft. Most recently, I’ve had the honor to be a fellow under the The Abolitionist Teaching Network, and also engaged in two seminars, in collaboration with fellow NHPS colleagues, centered on anti-racist pedagogy, through the Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute.

Schools and classrooms are sacred spaces to learn, connect, and grow together. I do everything within my power to ensure this remains true, as do my colleagues, and every one of us who work relentlessly to serve our youth and families. While the rigors of this work are infinite, our energy is not. At a minimum, our working conditions, our benefits, and our perspective as professionals need not only to be protected, but drastically improved, matching the increasingly complex demands of this profession. In anything that comes next, a diverse, energized, informed and united workforce, with proactive and dynamic leadership, is a step in a better direction.

Wilbur Cross High School

Mia, a graduate of NHPS, has worked in the New Haven Public Schools for 21 years. Each year has further solidified her belief that all human beings are entitled to an education that meets them where they are. Mia has a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and earned her 6th year degree in school leadership and administration (092). Mia has worked for the past five years as a school counselor and currently works at Wilbur Cross High School.

Before becoming a school counselor, Mia began at NHPS teaching bilingual education and Spanish. Mia knows the difficulty we all share as educators given the limited resources and the diverse needs of our students. Mia has appreciated seeing all of New Haven’s schools expand into culturally diverse communities that better represent the demographics of our city and expanding world. She is a fierce advocate for students—in 2019 Mia worked with fellow educators at Wilbur Cross and local organizations to support a Cross student who had been detained by ICE, fighting for his release.

Mia has served as a union steward for Wilbur Cross for the past three years. Creating positive relationships that hold integrity are essential to Mia’s work as a counselor and these qualities have also helped her represent teachers’ best interests as a union steward. She considers other people’s perspectives and recognizes the importance of collaboration particularly when it comes to making decisions for the better good. Mia will continue advocating for the protection of NHPS teachers’ salaries, medical and retirement benefits, safe working conditions, and culturally-conscientious learning environments.

Wilbur Cross High School


​​Melody Gallagher lives in the Westville section of New Haven and has been a Visual Arts educator for NHPS since 2006 and 933 member since 2007. Within her school buildings, Melody was a member of SPMT for 13 years, led student council for 2 years, led and co-led the annual week-long out-of-state field trip for a total of 7 years, was a member of the PBIS committee and was a middle school GSA advisor. As a member of the 933 NHFT teachers union, she has served as a building steward for over 6 years, a delegate for 3 years and an Executive Board member representing special services for over a year. While sitting on the Executive Board, Melody has specifically sought to address issues related to social and racial justice in addition to bringing the unique needs and concerns of her fellow arts teachers to the union’s e-board. Both prior to and while sitting on the Executive Board, she has publically spoken up at numerous NHPS BoE meetings on behalf of her students and fellow colleagues- including paraprofessionals and custodial staff. Melody believes that our teaching conditions are our students’ learning environments and that these both can improve through the collective work of our union. Along with others, she is ready to do the work.

Wilbur Cross High School

Sami Ginzberg is an English Language Arts teacher in the International Academy at Wilbur Cross High School. She grew up just outside of New Haven and has long been in love with the city. Sami majored in English at the University of Connecticut and earned her Masters degree and teaching certification in secondary English education from Columbia University Teacher’s College. Sami has taught in various cities and internationally. For the past two years she has taught at Wilbur Cross High School. Over the 2020-2021 school year of pandemic teaching, Sami went back to school to earn her Sixth Year certificate from Southern Connecticut State University, where she studied social justice and anti-racism in education. Though Sami is one of the newer members of 933 NHFT, she brings her infectious energy, unrelenting optimism, and dedication to the struggle inherent in improving our students’ learning conditions, which she firmly believes are dependent upon our working conditions. Sami currently resides in New Haven and is an active member of the Anti-Racist Teaching and Learning Collective.

Dr. Reginald Mayo Early Childhood School

Jennifer has been teaching for New Haven Public Schools and has been a proud 933 member since 2010. She taught preschool at Helene Grant School and the Dr. Mayo School for 10 years before transitioning to being a preschool special education teacher in 2019. In addition to teaching, she has served as the building’s union steward for 7 years, manages Sunshine Club, is a TEAM Mentor, and has worked with her school’s School Climate and Culture Committee. She voices collective questions and concerns to the BOE and district leaders, advocates for the health and safety for staff and the community, and organizes with early childhood staff across the district on classroom issues.

Unified arts teachers around the district are reporting a lack of supplies, a lack of resources, and are being pulled to cover classrooms. Physical education teachers are reporting having more than 125 students on their rosters, which is the contractual limit. The lack of contractual language surrounding special education is affecting our teachers, our service providers, and our students. Our contract needs to be supportive of all 933 members, and new language needs to be added surrounding special education classroom and caseload caps. Jennifer is ready and excited to advocate for our 933 members as VP of Special Services.


Jennifer lives in North Haven, and her two children attended NHPS for 11 years. She graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 2005 with a BA in Mental Health Psychology and a BS in Early Childhood Education, and also in 2008 with a MS in Special Education with a concentration in Early Childhood. She believes we are all stronger together and is ready to fight for our district, students, families, and our city.

New Haven Academy


Fana Hickinson has worked for NHPS as a Magnet Resource Teacher for the past 8 years. Alongside NHA's school counselor, she has developed the College and Career Readiness Program. Recognizing the importance of "third spaces" that empower students outside of the traditional academic spheres, she is gratefully involved in the school's Model UN/ Model Congress Team, Literary Magazine, BLM @ NHA, and Gender and Sexuality Alliance. She is also on the board of Students for Educational Justice (SEJ) and a member of the LGBTQ Youth Task Force.

She graduated with a B.A. in English and a M.A in Teaching from Clark University in Worcester.

Engineering & Science University Magnet School

Kirsten Hopes-McFadden, a NHPS graduate, has 25 years of teaching experience within New Haven Public Schools. She wanted to be 2 things when she grew up: a lawyer and a teacher. She achieved both goals. Currently, she is an 8th Grade Social Studies teacher at ESUMS. She has served as ESUMS’ official steward for a little over 2 years. Prior to that, she was the go to person for any contract issues at ESUMS. With this responsibility, she has noticed that the contract needs much updating. Although it has been stated repeatedly that the only thing the city will allow to be negotiated is salary and medical benefits, she intends to use her legal background to learn as much about teacher contract negotiations as possible to get a more equitable and teacher friendly contract—a contract where teachers are treated as the professionals they are.

Kirsten is a fierce advocate for the disenfranchised. She has worked with community organizations to help uplift those who feel they have no voice. She has encouraged many coworkers to stand up for themselves in the hope of improving teacher morale. One of her favorite quotes is by Frederick Douglass: “Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have the exact measure of the injustice and wrong which will be imposed on them.” She has learned over time to speak out at the first sign of injustice. Flying under the radar rarely works. That is exactly where the predators hunt for fresh blood. Not only does Kirsten want a seat at the table, she wants to implement change. She is willing to listen to determine what is in the collective best interest. More importantly, she is willing to voice those concerns and see that they are met. Several effective tools in her tool chest have been speaking at NHPS Board of Education meetings and sometimes just attending those meetings; speaking to the New Haven Independent; or attending a rally or protest. In the words of the late John Lewis, Kirsten gets in “good trouble, necessary trouble”.

Instructional Coach and ESL Teacher

Kasia grew up in Poland and moved to Connecticut in 2002. She graduated from the University of Warsaw (MA) and SCSU (MS), completed the program for Intermediate Supervision (092) at Sacred Heart University, and is currently completing the Reading Specialist program at Albertus Magnus. She was an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teacher at a high school in Warsaw, Poland, then an ESL teacher in Orange and Guilford. She has worked at New Haven Public Schools since 2010. Kasia began as an ESL teacher at Hill Central School. During her time there, she served on multiple committees, including SPMT, SSST, and School Level Data Team. In 2015, she transitioned to the Multilingual Learners Department as an Instructional coach for the district. Currently she works with teachers and tutors in about 20 schools across New Haven. Her main goal is to ensure that Multilingual Learners are given equitable access to education and she finds herself advocating for them and their teachers very often.

Barnard Environmental Magnet School


Sarah Levine is a K-3 reading specialist at Barnard Environmental Magnet School. Sarah grew up in New Haven and graduated from Wilbur Cross High School. She taught in NYC for twelve years before returning home to New Haven. In New Haven she has worked as a second grade teacher, a literacy coach, and as a reading specialist. Sarah has been a member of SPMT since returning to New Haven in 2013. She has also been a member of various school committees including the Teaching and Learning Committee and was the chair of SRBI for four years.

Sarah is a certified Orton-Gillingham instructor and serves on the board of the International Dyslexia Association CT Branch. She also has two children that attend NHPS and a husband who teaches 7/8 Science at Bishop Woods. Sarah strongly believes that better working conditions for teachers leads to better outcomes for students.

Fair Haven School


I am Michael Mazzacane and I teach 7th and 8th grade Math at Fair Haven School where I have worked for the past five years. New Haven has been my teaching home since the fall of 1992. During this time I have loved my opportunity to work with our wonderful and eager students.

I have also been a member of the Executive Board for over 15 years. My time there has had some ups and downs but I always look to make our union better. I am hoping to continue this journey and help our newest members become aware of how important the union is for their career.

Wilbur Cross High School

My name is Al Meadows and I have had the privilege of being a part of the New Haven School System since 1998. After spending ten years teaching at a neighboring private school as a member of their History department, I was excited to expand my role at Wilbur Cross High School, first as Assistant Football Coach and as a member of the Social Studies department. Together with a team of amazing teachers/coworkers, I have been committed to providing students with the tools to question and think historically about our country and the events that have led to where we are today. Additionally, I have served as a Union steward at Cross since 2001 (thanks to Diane Meyer and Andrea Sadie Brown for their guidance and tutelage), a union delegate for the past fifteen years, and presently am also on the Executive Board of our AFT 933 for the past year and a half.

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School



Scott has been a teacher of Theatre Arts at the Co-operative Arts and Humanities High School since 2010. Previously, from 2006, he taught Theatre as an Adjunct at Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport. Prior to that and currently, he is a member of the International Alliance of Theatre Stage Employees, Local 74 of Southern Connecticut, and served as Secretary of that Local from 2012-15. He is also a member of Actors’ Equity Association. Scott holds a BFA in Acting from the University of Connecticut, and an MFA in Acting from the National Theatre Conservatory in Denver, Colorado.

L.W. Beecher School

Erin Michaud has been a New Haven Public Schools teacher for the past 21 years, all at L.W. Beecher Museum Magnet School. She is currently the Magnet Resource Teacher, helping to plan, develop and sustain the magnet curriculum since its inception. She was also the Visual Arts educator for seven years.

Erin has been an active member of School Planning and Management Team (SPMT) for 14 years, serves on the School Leadership Team, is active on the Building Level Data Team (BLDT) has advised student council for 8 years, is the PBIS committee chair, and is Beecher’s GSA advisor. In addition, she is an active member of the City of New Haven’s LGBTQ Youth Task Force.

Erin believes the ideals that led our predecessors to organize unions and fight for economic justice are the same that led many of us to enter teaching in the first place: a desire to help children grow; hope for future generations; service to community; and a conviction that public education is fundamental to our society’s commitment to equal rights, equity in opportunity, and democratic involvement.

Engineering & Science University Magnet School


Charmel Moore is an 8th grade Mathematics Teacher at the Engineering and Science University Magnet School. She has worked in New Haven for over 13 years. While her tenure has been spent mostly as a classroom teacher, she has served as a MathCounts Coach, an Albertus Magnus Japanese Lesson Study Participant and as an 2012 NCTM Award winner. She has also had the great privilege of teaching Mathematics internationally in the United Arab Emirates.

Career High School

For Rose Murphy, teaching in New Haven has always been her goal. For the past 8 years, she has taught English and journalism at Career High School, where she is passionate about creating innovative opportunities for students and collaborating to build creative solutions with her colleagues. She has developed many programs at Career, including a journalism education and newspaper program and the National History Day program. Recently, Rose collaborated alongside fellow New Haven teachers to explore and develop curriculum centered around anti-racist pedagogy with the Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute. In her building, Rose serves on the SPMT and has served as grade level lead and student government advisor. In 2020, Rose was honored to be selected as New Haven's Teacher of the Year.

Rose believes firmly that the answers to obstacles can and should be found within the brilliance of our staff, students, and families; however, too often, this brilliance goes untapped and underutilized, stifling innovation before it can hope to develop into potential solutions. With transparency, sincere collaboration, and genuine calls for action and engagement, the transformative power of our community can be fostered and developed.

A robust union advocates for improved teaching and learning conditions, which inherently grow stronger when connections between staff, students, and families are strengthened. These bonds are the most powerful tools that teachers have to revolutionize our district; to ignore them is to commit to the suppression of those whose voices should matter most.

Dr. Reginald Mayo Early Childhood School

Rachael has been working in New Haven Public Schools for over 25 years, starting with the Head Start preschool program as an assistant teacher in 1995, and being promoted to head teacher in 2006. During this time, Rachael served as the secretary for the para loco union before obtaining CT’s Teacher certification and becoming a member of local 933. In addition to teaching, she currently serves as the building’s SEL Ambassador, Site Climate Coordinator, is on the PBIS team, and a Certified TPOT Assessor, is also a TEAM Mentor, and has worked with her school’s School Climate and Culture Committee.. Rachael lives in Ansonia. She believes that together we can change the future for our children, families, and the teaching profession.

Physical Education / Project Pride

My name is Sean Portley and I have been a teacher for New Haven Public Schools for 27 years and a proud member of the Project Pride staff for 22 years. Project Pride has afforded me the opportunity to work with all the K-8 schools and several high schools in the district through our Outdoor Adventure Education programing. I was on the curriculum development team for physical education earlier in my career and have been on the curriculum development team for the Project Pride program throughout my years with Project Pride. I have also assisted with the yearly budgetary process for Project Pride.

In addition to our work in schools and on the ropes course with students, the Project Pride team has provided numerous team building workshops throughout the district and state for both students and staff. For example, we have provided staff development programs for the Physical Education Department and have been a CEU provider for the state. PE majors from the SCSU Physical Education Department have been assigned to our program for observation experiences. Leadership development programs have been provided to the district’s sports teams by the Project Pride team, and we have been presenters at the CAPHERD state and regional conference. Most recently, we provided a team building workshop for the district’s administrators.

I am joining the Fight for Our Future team to provide strong, transparent leadership for our union. Collaboration and teamwork are built into the Project Pride model and are key to our success as a district. Additional credentials that I can contribute to my service on the union include a B.S. in Movement and Sports Studies from Springfield College and a Masters in Special Education from SCSU. I would be proud to represent teachers who dream of a more positive and empowering climate.

Worthington Hooker School

I’m joining the Fighting For Our Future slate because we are in a critical place and time as teachers. Now is the time for our union to step up and meet the needs of our learning community. Our union has been coasting in neutral—now is the time to put our union in drive.

I have been a teacher in New Haven for twenty years. Teachers have been unappreciated, underpaid, and not treated professionally in many instances for far too long. Every teacher deserves to work in a district where teachers and students get treated with respect. Teachers in our union have not attained the respect they deserve from our district, nor our union leadership. I want to join a group ready to act to preserve the profession that so many of us love before it is too late. So many teachers have become disenfranchised within the system, and that needs to change now!

L.W Beecher Magnet School


Stephen Siena has been a New Haven Public Schools teacher for the past nine years. Currently, he is a special education teacher at L.W Beecher Magnet School. Prior to that, Stephen taught physical education for seven years, four years at King-Robinson and and three years at Beecher. Stephen has served as a union steward for seven years and in many additional roles including: member of the The School Leadership Team and the chairperson for the Student and Staff Support Team (SSST) and Attendance Committee. He is also an active member of the Building Level Data Team (BLDT) and School Planning and Management Team (SPMT) at Beecher.

Additionally, Stephen has had experience as a Restorative Practice Trainer, School Wellness Facilitator, TEAM Mentor, and PBIS facilitator. He has implemented outdoor learning spaces through writing mini grants and building community partnerships with Common Ground H.S., U.S. Fish and Wildlife, FoodCorps, and Bridges of Hope. Stephen is committed to supporting staff and helping teachers feel comfortable, valued, and well supported in their role.

Stephen has a B.S. in Movement and Sports Studies from Springfield College, a M.S. in Health Education from SCSU, a 6th year in Educational Leadership from the University of Bridgeport, and a Special Education Cross Endorsement through AARC- CREC. Steve lives in New Haven with his wife and two sons, one who attends Kindergarten in NHPS.

James Hillhouse High School


My name is Carrie Smith, and I am proud union member and teacher. Before joining the English team at James Hillhouse High School in 2014, I taught in Philadelphia and Bridgeport public schools. My diverse teaching placements, as well as moving between positions with and without union support, have deepened my understanding of the importance of strong and effective unions in building learning communities where everyone — teachers, support staff, and students — flourish.

I have resided in New Haven since 2006. I’m blessed to be the mom of three young Edgewood and Beecher students, and am an enthusiastic member of Edgewood’s Anti-Racism Coalition. My sons’ school experiences have taught me that supporting school staff is supporting students and families, and supporting students and families is supporting staff. I’ve learned that when I want more support for my children, what I must do is ask for more support for their teachers and their support staff.

Fair Haven School

Michael’s roots in the labor union movement run deep. He comes from a family who participated in many union struggles. He first learned about organized labor solidarity from his grandfather's stories of being a union official at the Winchester Factory. As a child, he joined other children on the New Haven City Green while his father marched on strike with Yale Local 35. These memories have had a profound impact on his appreciation and passion for our Local 933 (AFT). In 2003, after serving in the US Peace Corps, Michael began his teaching career as a bilingual 5th grade teacher at Hill Central Pre K-8. Currently, he teaches ESL at Fair Haven Pre K-8. As he enters his 19th year with NHPS and 10th year as a Local 933 Union Steward, he has remained focused on strengthening school communities. He has served on NHFT Executive Board since 2018. Michael also holds a seat on the School Leadership Team, where he has an increased capacity to advocate for all teachers. He is the Student and Staff Support Team (SSST) Chairperson and has continuously strived to support a public school culture that values teachers for the essential work we do. He has served on school and district level interview / transition committees and has established collaborative professional relationships across NHPS.

Michael would be honored to continue to represent all teachers as we move forward together. Union gives strength!

Fair Haven School


Allan Solís is a proud member of Local 933 NHFT and has been since 2010. After a combined 20 years in the non-profit and corporate worlds he joined NHPS as a Special Education Teacher providing specialized instruction, in the resource room setting, to students in grades K-4. Allan started his first year as a special education teacher at Roberto Clemente Academy; he now has the joy and pride of being part of the Fair Haven School special education team for the past 11 years.

Allan focuses on providing quality specialized instruction to meet the ever-evolving needs of his students. He actively uses his voice to advocate for improvements that benefit all students and the due process rights of parents engaged in the PPT process. For the past three years, Allan has also served as a member of Fair Haven School's SPMT committee.

As a candidate for delegate, Allan will leverage his skills and vast experience to ensure the voices and priorities of Local 933 are reflected on the national agenda. Moreover, he is dedicated to providing our Local 933 leadership and its members with support that encourages engagement and solidarity among members. Allan is proud to join this slate and will enthusiastically participate in implementing this forward-thinking platform that keeps Local 933 union-strong.

Sound School

A Connecticut native and New Haven resident, Peter Solomon first became involved in marine science education as a teenager when he was a student, and later a counselor, with the Sound Summer Exploring Aquaculture summer program in New Haven. Peter completed his undergraduate studies in Biology and Environmental Science at Brandeis University and later earned a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Saint Joseph. During his thirteen years as a vocational aquaculture teacher at the Sound School, Peter has developed and implemented unique curricula for chemistry and environmental science; served as a senior advisor; founded the first scientific scuba dive program in a CT public school; and advised the school Sexuality and Gender Alliance student group. As a professional and reflective educator, he maintains an innovative approach to education centered on experiential and authentic learning grounded in the educational philosophy that all students can achieve when the needs of the whole child are met. Currently, Peter is leading a scientific diving program and an oyster reef restoration project with his students in New Haven Harbor.

Social Worker


Betsy Soto has been a social worker in the special education department of New Haven Public Schools for over 10 years, and is running for Delegate where she will represent the views and needs of social workers and special educators within our State and National AFT. A former practicing child therapist, she also has over 3 years of experience providing clinical therapy; and has witnessed firsthand how PTSD and common inner-city stressors can negatively impact education. Betsy is passionate about special education and wants to highlight the need for more resources, staff, and staff time within the special education classrooms. She wants regular education and special education staff to cooperate together towards mutual goals for positive and effective learning environments. Betsy loves being an ear for colleagues, bringing teams together, and collaborating to make an emotionally and mentally healthy, happy workplace. Along with her passions, and visions, Betsy also surrounds herself with the strongest and wisest union mentors and veteran teachers she can find.

In addition to being a part of special education assessment teams, she has also served as a 504 coordinator, and on SSST and Truancy Teams. She highly values parent engagement and invests time for parent education in special education procedures, as well as parent advocacy for our most disenfranchised students with disabilities. Betsy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, as well as a Master of Science degree in Social Work and Social Policy.

Metropolitan Business Academy

Hello! My name is Steve Staysniak and for eleven years I have taught 9th grade English at Metro. In addition to my teaching duties, I serve on my school’s SPMT and as the lead teacher for my content area. Since 2012 I have also had the chance to work with English Department colleagues from across the district in writing, revising, and implementing changes to our English curriculum. Last year, with the support of a fantastic community partner from BLM New Haven I supported students in the creation of BLM Metro and am now serving as faculty advisor for the group. I grew up as the child of a public school teacher - and I am deeply committed to fighting for the same benefits and security my mom brought to my brothers and I, that I bring to my own family, and that I want all current and future New Haven teachers to have for their own families.

Wexler-Grant School

I am Ashley Stockton and this is my 21st year working as an educator. I began teaching 6th grade in Brooklyn, New York. In 2006 my husband, an English teacher at Metro, and I moved to New Haven. I worked as a Magnet Resource Teacher at Ross Woodward and then as the Executive Director of Leila Day, an early childhood program in East Rock, before coming to Wexler Grant Community School. I have been a part of the turnaround effort at Wexler since 2018 and am currently teaching kindergarten.

I am joining the Fighting For Our Future slate because I am deeply concerned for our teachers and the future of our public schools here in New Haven. When teachers are valued and well supported, we can offer our best selves to the children and families we serve. A pay freeze, substandard working conditions, and a steady increase of responsibilities have led to teacher resignations, early retirements and continuous transfers. Union leadership must understand what teaching in New Haven Public Schools looks like today and have the vision to understand what lies ahead. My hope is to honor the teachers working in the district now and also to help create working conditions that attract teachers who are just starting out and support them as they build their careers in our communities and schools.

I live in New Haven and have two children who are NHPS students. My oldest started kindergarten in 2011, much has changed since then, and we are losing more and more talented teachers each year. I experience this from both the perspective of parent and educator. I look forward to serving as trustee on behalf of the teachers of New Haven so that we can feel more joy doing the work we believe in.

Restorative Practices Coordinator


I have been a New Haven Public School teacher for 22 years. I served as union steward for High School in the Community and was New Haven’s Teacher of the Year in 2009. I taught high school English and worked with students whose reading levels were far below grade level as well as advanced placement students. I taught in a therapeutic classroom working with students who consistently failed and disrupted the learning environment. I was the SSST chair and the CAPT Coordinator and later the SBAC Coordinator. I worked on schedules and organized SAT days. I ran multiple clubs including the Interact Club, Philosophy Club, GSA, Homework Club, and a Stop the Violence group. I was voted into a leadership role by my peers at HSC and managed discipline in the school while teaching two classes a day. Every year since I began teaching in New Haven, the demands of the job increased, and I saw my peers across the district weighted down by those demands. As I visit schools now, I meet teachers who are stressed and who find it hard to find time to take care of themselves and their families. I promise to listen to teachers and what they need, educate legislators and the public about those needs, advocate for more support for classroom teachers, and dedicate myself to serve teachers.

John S. Martinez School

Xiomara Vazquez has been a bilingual teacher in the New Haven Public Schools for over 10 years. Currently, she is the Social Studies 2nd and 3rd grade bilingual teacher at John S. Martinez. She was born and raised in New Haven. Deciding to become an educator was sparked by three incredible NHPS teachers that helped her change her life. Xiomara’ s goal was and still is to impact children’s lives who grew up similar to the way she did.

She has collaborated and participated in numerous committees, trainings and workshops related to SEL, trauma informed practices, racial and social justice, restorative practice, Latinx history, biliteracy education, special education and PPT advocacy. Xiomara has also collaborated in writing curriculum for Fair Haven School and John S. Martinez School. She is an activist and has marched for causes related to racial and economic justice. She has always been the one to speak up for what is right and her hope in joining the Fighting for Our Future team is to create change that will support school staff as well as students and families.

Xiomara graduated with a M.S. in Education and a M.S. in Bilingual, Multicultural Education and TESOL. She currently holds certifications in regular education K-6, Bilingual Education PreK-12 and TESOL PreK-12.

Elm City Montessori School

Dave Weinreb currently serves as the Magnet Resource Teacher at Elm City Montessori School. Since moving to New Haven in 2015 he has taught 5th grade Spanish-speaking newcomers at the Fair Haven School, led teams to develop schoolyard habitats and gardens, stewarded vaccination campaigns, founded the City of New Haven’s LGBTQ Youth Task Force, participates as a Board Member of the Fair Haven Community Management Team, co-founded CodeHaven, and served as adjunct faculty at Relay Graduate School of Education and Quinnipiac University’s School of Education. Previously, he worked as the founding high school placement director, staff recruitment lead, enrichment coordinator, and technology enthusiast for The Equity Project (TEP) Charter School in Washington Heights, NYC. He earned his M.Ed. in School Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University., M.A. from Johns Hopkins University, bilingual/TESOL cross endorsement via ARCTELL, and B.A. in History and Urban Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.