| SSTUWA Executive: Glen Cookson |
 I have been a member of the SSTUWA for 33years. I have extensive experience including: teaching K-12 classes (including Education Support, academic and vocational programs); as well as TAFE and university students across the four sectors of our system. I have been a Deputy Principal, and held the Principal position at Levels 3, 4, 5 and 6 in Primary schools, Remote Aboriginal Community schools (Kalgoorlie and Kimberley) and District High Schools. I am currently the only principal on the SSTUWA Executive. I am currently a Primary Principal in the Swan District. I have experience and passion for quality government funded education. I’m married with a daughter in Year 8 at a government high school. As a representative of the SSTUWA on the EBA negotiating team I advocated strongly for what became the best ever deal (21.6% increase) for administrators and teachers. Our members received the highest salary increase (without tradeoffs) in Australia. I am on record as voting against overwhelming pressure to accept the earlier 13% and later 17% increases which included 15 hours PD and extra staff meeting tradeoffs. As a current Executive member I am also a key member of the SSTUWA EBA Negotiating Team, Administrators Reference Group, SSTUWA Appointments Committee, SSTUWA Emergency Committee, SSTUWA Education and Training Committee, Executive Training Coordinator and State Council delegate. I was also a member of the SSTUWA delegation team at the annual AEU Conference held in Melbourne last January. As an Executive member I have taken leadership roles to advocate for improved services to members (TOPS) and an independent review of our Education and Training offerings to members. I have also initiated a process to independently review the management structure and strategic plan of the SSTUWA. I am committed to updating and modernising our union’s management and decision-making structures which are presently underpinned by an outdated 1999 Strategic Plan. If elected I will continue to fight for maintenance of salary gains and improved conditions for teachers. I am on record as advocating for EA’s in all classrooms and practical classroom support for SAER. Teachers keep telling me that the biggest challenge they face in the classroom is behaviour management and discipline. Teachers should not have to deal with violent students. Such students need to be removed from the classroom. Teachers need to not only teach but be able to enjoy their teaching. Experienced teachers know that it takes a lot more of everything to educate SAER. Teachers need to be empowered, resourced and supported to achieve success in challenging environments. Governments on both sides of politics and the educational system have too long expected teachers to give above and beyond to their job without any corresponding financial recompense or the extra resources needed. They have been able to do this, because teachers are dedicated, prepared to work long hours (including voluntary unpaid overtime), and have chosen the profession, because they are committed to enabling their students realise their full potential. The school environment and demands of teaching have changed considerably over the last decade. I am committed to fighting for improved pay and conditions including increased classroom support, such as EAs in all primary classrooms. We need practical support and resources to deal with behaviour management and the increasing demands of changing curriculum and assessment. These are the central issues on which I believe the SSTUWA must take a determined and steadfast stand. I am committed to listening to our members and directly representing your interests first. After all, you are the people that are actually doing the job in the classroom day in day out. Vote1, Members First. |