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
Click here to see Dr. Jill Biden introduce Ronniece–and Ronniece introduce Joe Biden
Click here for a brief Behind the Scenes from the Biden Campaign
