Working together is hailed in the Bronx

“So much of the time we’re focused on the problems in public schools that we don’t take the time to celebrate what’s good,” said UFT Bronx Borough Representative Jose Vargas, “especially the collaboration that goes on every day between the staff and administration at dozens of our schools.”

On June 9, the Bronx UFT office hosted a fete to honor the chapter leaders and principals from those schools.

“At our school, it’s important that all stakeholders listen to one another and present a variety of perspectives. That doesn’t have to create conflict, but strength,” Principal Alessandro Weiss from the HS of American Studies at Lehman College told the New York Teacher during interviews with winners after the presentations.

His colleague, Chapter Leader Jonathan Halabi, said that “when disagreements occur we have a framework to work them out, sitting down to talk, sometimes referring to the contract. We respect the principal’s authority, he respects our rights, and together we concentrate on making the school function well.”

Superintendents and Council of School Supervisors and Administrators representatives from each district were invited to attend the celebration as well. The winning teams were selected by Bronx UFT representatives, “who targeted schools where the principal and the chapter leader have a genuinely good relationship,” Vargas said.

Winning Principal Socorro Diaz from MS 384, Entrada Academy, said, “We have a lot of ongoing conversations. We have to give 150 percent to make this school happen.”

Diaz makes it a habit to first speak with Chapter Leader Christina Natalello, then the two have a conversation with UFT District 12 Representative Steven Goldberg, “and 95 percent of the time we’re able to move forward,” Diaz said.

Co-winner Natalello stressed that the collaboration is not just about herself and Diaz. “I have a UFT consultation committee of teachers and we work together to bring ideas to the table,” she said.

Chapter Leader Ernie Uthgenannt of Grace Dodge HS spoke about his principal, Roberto Hernandez, who was unable to attend.

“A school that is struggling like ours is not benefited by an adversarial relationship,” Uthgenannt said. “Our principal considers every adult in the building a member of the team, and the team has the common goal of delivering the best education to our kids.”

The winners from Columbus HS, Principal Lisa Fuentes and Chapter Leader Donald March, have been in the UFT spotlight before, having won a Partnership Award at the 2008 Teacher Union Day.

“The UFT chapter is wonderful, we meet every week, and the members are very, very caring individuals. We put everyone’s rights first and are very into the quality of life,” said Fuentes.

“We work hand-in-glove,” said March. “It’s almost inconceivable but there’s no animosity and a great, malleable staff and principal with a willingness to change, transform and move forward together.”

Out of the 380 schools in the Bronx, 60 were represented at the celebration.

“That’s a start, to have that number of schools be truly collaborative, and we really want to honor and encourage partnerships between all of us to build strong, successful schools for our children,” Vargas said. “It’s also about breaking bread together.”

Break bread they did, Bronx-UFT style. Four international food stations — Chinese, Argentinian, Italian and Mexican — served dishes that were as diverse as the borough’s school communities.

“It was a beautiful evening,” said Chapter Leader Natalello. “Most of all it felt that all the hard work we do, to make sure everyone at school is happy, was recognized and respected.”