“Public-private collaborations – especially ones of this magnitude – that are dedicated to making life better for vulnerable kids are incredibly complex and meaningful work,” said national AFT President Randi Weingarten (fourth from left in front row, in photo below). “It’s so important that Jan Hochadel be on this board, not only to represent the knowledge of educators from both research and practice, but to make sure their voices are a vital part of the ambitious work ahead.
“There is much to build on from Barbara Dalio’s (left in back row, above) long-standing work with leaders and members throughout Connecticut,” added Weingarten, “This partnership holds great promise if it embraces collaboration and collective commitment, listens to educators, and puts students at the heart of their efforts.”
“I am honored to have been selected by Governor Ned Lamont to join the governing board of the recently-formed Partnership for Connecticut,” said AFT Connecticut President Jan Hochadel (left in front row, above). “Serving alongside educators and public school advocates, legislative and non-profit leaders, philanthropists and scholars in order to help guide the organization is an extraordinary opportunity to fund our future.
“The decision to accept the appointment was not one I took lightly,” added Hochadel. “It followed months of discussions with leaders of AFT Connecticut-affiliated unions representing public education professionals focused on the criteria for ‘community-education partnerships’ deserving of our support.
“Chief among our core principles was having stakeholders at the table to develop the plan to help young people graduate from high school and connect to career opportunities,” Hochadel continued. “As a teacher myself, what I most appreciate is the opportunity to assure the voices of over 15,000 educators across Connecticut will be heard on the governing board.
“Another key factor is the relationship that many of our local union leaders have had with Barbara Dalio and her foundation over the past 10 years,” added Hochadel. “Serving alongside a true booster of traditional public schools and a champion for classroom teachers is a privilege.
“While the partnership’s investments will provide much-needed resources in the short term to communities struggling with poverty, our state federation remains committed to long-term solutions,” Hochadel continued. “Today’s students are entitled to a quality public education and philanthropy can help build bridges of access. Future generations deserve no less, and we will not let up our demand for elected leaders to enact policies that will make that possible and sustainable for years to come.”
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Nationally, AFT represents 1.7 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators. Visit www.aft.org to learn more about the union’s mission.
AFT Connecticut represents approximately 30,000 professionals across the state, including PreK-12 teachers, paraeducators and education support personnel in 32 local and regional school districts. For more information, visit www.aftct.org or follow the labor federation on Twitter at @AFTCT and on Facebook at AFT Connecticut.
Click here for the Partnership for Connecticut’s website.
Click here for our podcast interview with Dalio Philanthropies’ leaders.
