The New York State United Teachers announced on Saturday that Melinda Person has been elected as their new president for a three-year term. Person succeeds Andy Pallotta, who recently retired from the leadership position and endorsed her as his successor.
In a statement, Person expressed her gratitude and commitment to the role, saying, “There is no greater honor than to represent hard-working professionals in education and health care from across this state. I firmly believe they are the backbone of our classrooms, communities, and society. They deserve a strong voice in Albany and Washington advocating for better pay, working conditions and respect. I’m proud to be that voice.”
Before her election as president, Person served as the executive director and political director of NYSUT since 2019, where she was instrumental in initiating and developing several successful statewide programs. She holds a New York state teaching certification in childhood education.
Additionally, union delegates elected Jaime Ciffone, from New York City’s United Federation of Teachers, as the executive vice president of NYSUT. The union currently has nearly 700,000 members across the state.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected]erlakes1.com.