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Name: Ronniece L Sirmons Where You Teach/Work/Educate: Pgh Carmalt Pre-K to 8 Subject(s) / Grade You Teach or Once Taught: 7th Grade Math (4thj, 6th, and 8th as well) # of Years In Education: 25 Years At Current Position/School: 4 Have You Taught Previously Elsewhere? (y/n): YES If so….where, what did you teach/do…and for how long?: Allegheny Middle School – 1997-1999- Columbus Middle School 1999-2006, and Manchester Pre-K to8 – 2006-2019
PFT: What compelled you to become a teacher and/or to work in education?
Ronniece: I always wanted to be a teacher when I was younger. I can remember playing school and getting mad if I wasn’t the teacher. I also have an aunt that is an educator as well.
PFT: What do you like best about your career choice and job?
Ronniece: I love to build relationships with people. I enjoy seeing the” light bulb “explode when students grasp a concept or skill we have been working on.
PFT: Where/what school(s) did you pursue higher education?
Ronniece: Duquesne University – BS Elementary Education and Middle Level Math Certified.
PFT: In your opinion, what are the greatest challenges faced by educators today? Students? School districts? Any challenges specific to your subject matter expertise?
Ronniece: The greatest challenge I have as a middle school math teacher is to capture their (my students’) desire to learn and stay on task. I have noticed this to be a challenge after coming back from COVID-19. Students want to be more social instead of focusing on their assignments.
PFT: When did you join the union? Do you participate in any committees or hold any leadership positions? Ever taken any coursework or continuing education?
Ronniece: I want to say I joined the union when I started being a substitute for PPS in 1996. I am on the Executive Board of the PFT, I am in the Teacher Leadership Program (currently), qne I took ER&D classes when Mary Van Horn was the lead.
PFT: In your own words, why is having union representation important? What’s the best thing about being in a union, whether you are an active or more passive participant?
Ronniece: My parents were blue collar workers and they were in a union and told me how important it is to be involved. I remember marching in the Labor Day Parade with my dad years ago.
We must have an advocate for teachers because we endure so much and it is great that we have a safe place to go to vent, for support, for guidance, and for help when needed.
PFT:Do you have a mentor that introduced you to the PFT/Union? Please share who—and what that person meant to you and to your member development.
Ronniece: I know that when I first started my Aunt LaFay Pinchback and a close friend of my family that I consider an aunt Wanda McDavis were very informative with giving me information about the union and how important it is to join. The ITL’s I had also were wonderful: Mrs. Barbara James and Ms. Barbara Greer!
PFT:Please share your thoughts on balancing being a private “no-nonsense person … with also stepping to the plate to represent when asked. You introduced then-candidate Joe Biden at his first Pittsburgh rally, have assumed multiple union leadership roles and most recently was named a Pittsburgh Courier woman of Excellence. How do you do it?
Ronniece: Contrary to what most people may think, I am shy by nature, so it does take a lot for me to stand in the limelight or often say things that no one else will say.
I know that I have been called to do this work and I am doing my best to accept the call and do the work.
FINAL NOTES and Lightning Round:
People are surprised to learn...
… …that I am an ordained Pastor at my church Living Way Christian Fellowship-(I am an Associate Pastor)
Ronneice’s favorite… Movie: Love & Basketball; Purple Rain; All Rocky Movies Book: The Good Book Author: 🙂 Singer: CeCe Winans – many other Gospel Artists Song: Too many to name! Color: Red & Purple Food: Tacos Time of year: Fall
Quote to live by: You are the best or worse thing that can happen to you be the best!!! Life and Death is in the power of your tongue!! — Bible
Hybrid Learning: Seven Strategies for a Successful and Flexible Year Ahead July 2—2 p.m. EDT | REGISTER
Sourcewell Technology Grades 3-12
Proper planning builds in the flexibility needed for the 2020-21 school year. Participants will learn a step-by-step way to organize the entire school year in a blended environment! Plus, discover simple ways to interject creativity into student-centered activities.
Protecting Equity and Access: Supporting Students with Disabilities During a Pandemic July 2—3 p.m. EDT | REGISTER
National Center for Learning Disabilities Grades 3-12
Every student deserves access to educational opportunities—even if that means virtual education during this pandemic. And if educators are expected to innovate and act nimbly in these unprecedented times, we must provide the resources schools and districts so desperately need to effectively design those learning opportunities and educate all students. Through this session, staff from the National Center for Learning Disabilities will discuss some specific implications to consider in serving students with disabilities in the current context.
#SkillsRUS Summer SLAM: Prep for the Academic Year Ahead July 2—4 p.m. EDT | REGISTER
Georgina Dean Grades K-12
How can we take all the positive new skills we’ve learned, and build on them over the summer, so we are ready to re-energize our education communities this next academic year? Join us to examine ideas and strategies for integrating new tools and skills into blended learning approaches, as well as lesson design to maximize delivery engagement across the education community.
Professional Development Credit Reminders:
You will be eligible to receive one hour of professional development credit for participation in these webinars if you complete all the poll questions, survey, and actively watch the webinars. A certificate of completion will then be available for download at the end of your session. You may choose to check with your school district in advance to ensure that the PD credit is accepted.If you can’t make the webinar time, register anyway! We’ll automatically email you the on-demand link as soon as it’s available.The on-demand versions will be available in closed captioning in English and Spanish.
UPDATE: THIS MEETING HAS TRANSPIRED: LOOK for information regarding the full release of subcommittee recommendations soon!
The All In to Reopen Our Schools plan has been developed by 14 subcommittees composed of a cross-section of over 300 education stakeholders within five categories:
Academic Programming and Instructional Support
Academic Personnel and Developing Capacity
Family Support & Wellbeing
School Operations for a Safe and Healthy Environment
Communications, Outreach and Community Coordination
These subcommittees have shared their recommendations for the best course of action to keep PPS students and staff safe during the reopening process with the Superintendent and Executive Cabinet.
On Tuesday, July 14, the Executive Cabinet will report to the full All In to Reopen Our Schools Committee on those recommendations that will move forward for 2020-2021.
Click here to learn more about the All In To Reopen Schools Plan – and view district video updates on progress to date. https://www.pghschools.org/Page/5469
The AFT’s 86th biennial convention is underway, bringing together 4,000 delegates from around the country across our K-12, paraprofessional, higher education, healthcare and public employee divisions.
JULY 28: The AFT’s biennial convention is starting today, and we’re doing it virtually! This year is all about how we are fighting for a better life for our members—and for everyone. Today’s highlights include AFT President Randi Weingarten’s State of the Union speech and the presentation of AFT Secretary-Treasurer Lorretta Johnson’s Bayard Rustin Award. Other highlights include a Black Lives Matter panel and discussion of economic inequity on Wednesday, and remarks from former Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday. Additional sessions will feature professor and education historian Diane Ravitch, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and award-winning composer, lyricist and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda. Tune in live at 11 a.m. ET on the AFT’s Facebook page or at www.aft.org and use the hashtag #AFT20.
General Membership Meeting Saturday, February 22, 2020 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM! Breakfast served. Childcare available. At the PFT! 10 South 19 Street, Pittsburgh PA 15203 BE HERE to get INSIDE SCOOP you won’t get ANYWHERE else! (Not in the Notes or PFT News)
PFT Contract Negotiations Update
Grievance Proceedings Update
Member Pledge to Vote & Mobilize
2020 Primary Election Survey
PFT ELECTION YEAR! NATIONAL ELECTION YEAR! CENSUS YEAR!
FEATURING: PFT Attorney Noah Jordan “Weingarten Rights: What you REALLY need to know!”
ALL THIS includes a tasty catered breakfast! 50/50 Raffle! RSVP Raffle! Childcare available! Plus an optional “Painting with a Twist” member social event nearby shortly after our meeting adjourns!
