Lawrence Teachers Association advocates for staff and students

Not unlike being welcomed into a classroom, Lawrence Teacher Association President Lori Skonberg and second Vice President Adam Berlin greeted a visitor to the LTA’s office at 260 Doughty Blvd. in Inwood with warm smiles and snack offerings.

Skonberg, a teacher for 32 years, is in her third year of leading the union that represents about 400 teachers, librarians, speech therapists and social workers employed by the Lawrence School District. She is a fifth-grade teacher at Lawrence Middle School.

Calling the union’s headquarters at the intersection of Mott Avenue and Doughty Boulevard “the hub of the district,” Skonberg said the LTA handles every aspect of the work force from personnel problems to issues with the district. Such as the most recent contract issue the LTA brought to the Public Employment Review Board concerning the district eliminating several summer school teaching positions and using an online learning program for students to retake classes. Several member meetings are held monthly at the office.

“The union is people trying to make a difference,” she said. “The strength of the union lies in its members, who are an exceptional group of people.”

This group of people not only includes individuals who have been teachers throughout their careers including Linda Gerard, a Social Studies teacher at the middle school who serves as 1st vice president, but people who have also worked as accountants and attorneys and bring that real world experience to the classroom.

Berlin said those teachers not only educate students, but also act as strong supporters of the children in their classrooms. “More and more teachers have become advocates for students,” said Berlin, a Lawrence Middle School Social Studies teacher, who has taught for 20 years and is in his third year of being a LTA vice president. “It is important, because we’re the ones who know the needs of the kids and have to ensure the needs of the students are meet.” Berlin recently revamped the LTA’s website and there is more news of what members are doing throughout the district is being posted.

Both union officials think that the district’s administration is under pressure to do more with less. However, despite the occasional adversarial positions taken on certain issues, Skonberg and Berlin agree that first-year Superintendent Gary Schall has made significant steps to improve relations.

“I said to Gary to know what is going on go talk to the people in the trenches, administration spoke to principals … great, but talk to the teachers. Gary has done that. He speaks to them and listens,” said Skonberg, who has a long association with Schall going back to when he was teaching. Berlin said that 35 middle school teachers attended a summer staff development day as an example of the more positive environment, but noted, with some frustration, that a recommendation for a LTA Reform Committee was not acted upon.

PTA Council President Blasia Baum has also noticed the change under Schall’s leadership. “[The administration] has made many efforts to work with all stakeholders involved, including the PTA and LTA,” Baum said. “Although the stakeholders do not always see eye to eye, there is open communication between all. We are all advocating for what believe is best for our students and ultimately for the entire district.”

However, Skonberg said that though the LTA supports what the district does, it doesn’t always agree with everything being done. She thinks the district’s elimination of the Gifted and Talented program and the state concerning itself with obtaining “Race to the Top” federal funds is hurting Lawrence. “You do what you can with the resources and time given to you,” Berlin said.

Lawrence has several strengths, the union leaders said, including its dedication to the arts. “Music education benefits the whole child by gaining a sense of pride, commitment, self-esteem and confidence through continued practice and numerous performances opportunities throughout the school year,” said Pam Gallopini, one of the district’s two music coordinators, who has spent her 28-year career in Lawrence.

While teaching the arts has its benefits, Skonberg is concerned about the current educational environment, where teaching to the test could be hurting students. “There is not enough time to show students that learning could be fun,” she said. However, what makes her job fun is answering this question: “People ask me what I do, I say I see the future, I teach,” Skonberg said.