St. Paul teachers union boss to take national post
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| Mary Cathryn Ricker (Courtesy of Education Minnesota) |
St. Paul teachers union president will step down to take a top leadership post with the national American Federation of Teachers.
Mary Cathryn Ricker, head of the St. Paul Federation of Teachers, will become AFT's executive vice president, one of the three highest offices in the national union. She was elected on AFT President Randi Weingarten's slate of candidates at the union's convention in Los Angeles.
Ricker, a former middle school English teacher, has led St. Paul educators since 2005. She also serves on the AFT's executive board. Weingarten has called her "one of the most forward-thinking union leaders nationally."
Denise Rodriguez, the St. Paul federation's vice president, will take over the local union and serve out Ricker's term, which ends next summer.
Ricker said she decided to seek the AFT post because of an interest in the connections between public schools, early-childhood education and higher education on a national level. Although she is not required to step down as local leader, she said, "I would want to make sure both positions get undivided attention."
Over the years, Ricker has worked closely with the St. Paul district's administration and joined Superintendent Valeria Silva to emphasize their collaboration; she has also beenSt. Paul teachers union boss to take national post - TwinCities.com: