Rochester Education Association

Many thanks to the 2009-10 Bargaining Team

Representing the Voices of the Teachers in Rochester

The 907 teachers and staff that comprise the Rochester Education Assocation wish to thank the dedicated members of its Bargaining Team for all of its hard work and efforts on delivering a new contract to the REA.

Betsy Fleming didn’t know what she was getting herself into when she spent time with President Korreck after a meeting at Hugger one afternoon. Betsy believes strongly in the importance of having a voice in one’s working conditions and the value of getting involved in order to make a difference! Betsy was asked to join the 2009 Negotiations and round out the team with a less-experienced (we won’t say younger) teacher’s perspective. In April 2010, Mrs. Fleming was awarded tenure status. Betsy served her student teaching tour of duty at Long Meadow Elementary before graduating in 2005 from Oakland University with a post-bachelor degree in Elementary Ed with an English major. This year she joined a first grade team after 3 years as a kindergarten teacher. Fortunately for us, her family moved around from Michigan to Arizona to Ohio and back to Michigan where she and her husband Bob have set up roots. Betsy has a passion for writing and would like to author a work in the future. In the meanwhile she will have to be satisfied with trying her hand at crafting contract language and ensuring that the voices and concerns of our probationary teachers are heard.

President Doug Hill has earned the respect of colleagues across the district through his hard work, quick wit and ability to pay close attention to what teachers are thinking and feeling. Doug comes from a varied background, first living in rural Indiana and later becoming a metro Detroit “east-sider” in suburban St. Clair Shores. His interests in traveling and journalism took him to Alaska for a stint with the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. His passion for sports led to work as a sports reporter at The Oakland Press and continues to motivate Doug to announce at Stoney Creek High School’s numerous sporting events. Doug keeps himself refreshed by pursuing new and different challenges. As an RCS employee, he has taught Seventh grade English, Social Studies and Creative Communications, fifth and fourth grades. He has taken on multiple leadership roles including SIP, PLC, Quality Instruction and more recently as co-chair of the K-12 Reform subcommittee on Global Education. This talented 10-year veteran is the perfect voice for the membership at large and elementary specifically. We thank Carol, Doug’s wife, daughter Helena, son Jake and dog Madison in advance to loaning him to us for the upcoming bargaining talks.

Coach Schultz or “H” as H.G. Schultz is known by friends and family is an outgoing and reliable fixture at Hart Middle School or his daughters’ soccer or basketball games around town. H. believes in giving kids the opportunity to reach their potential and knows that through the physical challenges of sports, a preteen can learn more about his or herself and come to value teamwork in accomplishing goals. At the bargaining table, H.G. shows that same value of teamwork and looking out for what is best for everyone. H. believes in looking at the long-term effects of decisions at the bargaining table. He reminds the team and his colleagues that it is important to stand up for what you believe in. H. is also put to work representing REA members who coach our students. He’s been a football or track coach himself since the age of 19, shortly after he graduated from Adams High School. H.G. is married to fellow REA member and active REA Building Rep, Dawn. At least he’ll be getting Dawn’s sympathy and understanding when we have to steal him away from her and their two daughters, Ivy and Zoe…at least we hope so!

Vice President Colleen Winkler proudly brags on her “homegrown” status as a graduate and now a teacher in the Rochester Community Schools. Although a product of Rochester High School, Colleen has spent her entire 24 year career at Adams High School. She has kept herself fresh and up-to-date by getting involved in a wide range of projects including being a tech coach, PD chair and more recently taking on the AP Literature class. Many Adams students have successfully crafted The Kilt, AHS’ student newspaper, under Colleen’s watchful eye and steady guidance. Colleen has a great ability to see issues from the multiple perspectives of students, teachers, administrators and parents so she appreciates and seeks collaboration when it leads to problem-solving. As a long-standing building rep, her staff knows they can get timely updates, honest information and articulate representation whenever they seek her out. At the bargaining table, Colleen lends her astute editing eye to proposals and helps keep the discussion in the context of the people affected. Colleen has been married to her husband Mark for 29 years and her two daughters, Kelly and Sara, followed in mom's footsteps by graduating from Central Michigan University.

Eduarda Crain joined the Avondale/Rochester Education Association in its Auburn Hills office in June 2009 after some intense interviews by representatives of the six MEA bargaining units in those two school districts which include Avondale teachers, secretaries and paraeducators and Rochester secretaries, teachers and food service. The RCA, Rochester Cafeteria Association continues to meet to bargain with the school district’s representatives in the hopes of reversing their minds about their recent action to privatize food services. The many dedicated ladies who have lived in our community and worked in our schools have been dealt a devastating blow. Eduarda is originally from Michigan but comes to us by way of Seattle and Florida, to name a few of the places that she has been an effective advocate for public school employees. The REA bargaining team has enjoyed getting to know her and putting her many talents to work during our caucus planning meetings and at the bargaining table. Eduarda and her husband Gene are happily getting settled in their new home in Lake Orion. We’re glad to hear it – it means she plans on stickin’ around. That’s good news for all of us!

No description of the REA team would be complete without mention of our Uniserv Field Assistant, Jeanette Kutchey. Jeanette likes to remind members that she is their “dues dollars at work” as she forwards regular communications out to over 900 members, many of whom she knows by name, location and face. Jeanette oversees the systematic production of countless documents for Officers, Council and the Team. She has built relationships with vendors and facilities that streamline tasks for our various committees. After 24 years working on behalf of Rochester’s MEA affiliates, Jeanette demonstrates a level of devotion that consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty.

Each member of this team is a highly respected professional and well-equipped to speak on behalf of all the teachers and professional instructional support staff.