VP for Special Education

MaryJo Ginese
VP for Special Education
MaryJo Ginese worked for the Department of Education as an occupational therapist for more than 21 years. After her promotion to supervisor of therapists in 2007, she provided exemplary clinical support to occupational therapists, where she was known for helping to empower students with self-advocacy for greater independence and for fostering partnerships with parents to help support the medical and educational needs of their children.
Ginese served as the chapter leader of the Supervisors of Nurses and Therapists Chapter from 2011 to June 2018. In the spring of 2018, she became the full-time assistant to Carmen Alvarez, the previous Vice President for Special Education who has credited her “with doing an amazing job of helping members to understand the power of this union.”
In her professional career, Ginese is known for putting her heart and her all into the work of advocating for students with special needs and for the union members who serve those students.
VPerspective
Speaking up for students with disabilities
The city’s superintendents gathered at UFT headquarters in early October. UFT Vice President for Special Education MaryJo Ginese said the union made it clear to them at this introductory meeting that when special education compliance issues are brought to their attention, the UFT will be checking in to make sure they’re working in earnest to solve the problem.