| SSTUWA Vice President, 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’m married with a daughter in Year 8 at a government high school.I have been asked to nominate for the position of Vice President and I have accepted because I believe I have the necessary skills, experience and relevant knowledge that will compliment the Members First team. Apart from a 2 year stint as a Secondary Curriculum Advisor and Education Officer in the Kimberley District Office (1987/88) I have worked in schools. For the past 20 years I have been an administrator. As a Principal and unionist I have developed a repertoire of skills and expertise in teaching and learning, implementing policy, curriculum delivery and promotion of social justice in a context of a rapidly changing educational landscape. 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. I believe a good school is a union school. Union members with a strong commitment to union principles deliver quality educational programs. A strong unionist is not afraid of honest feedback or transparent accountability processes. They know that this makes for not only effective teaching and learning but leads to real social justice and job satisfaction. A happy, satisfied teacher maximises learning for all students. A strong unionist will fight for adequate resources to do the job and not accept the blame for poor systemic policy and inadequate funding. Growing up in a poor, low SEI environment I know from firsthand experience the value of a free public education system. I am a passionate believer in the public education system as a means to deliver real social justice outcomes and enable all, equal access to a quality education regardless of their cultural or wealth background. 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 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. I know this because for the past 21 years I have been a teacher and administrator in schools, some of which are the most challenging in our system. Sadly in recent times our union leadership has not had relevant or recent school teaching or leadership experience. Being out of a teaching and school environment for even a short time one can lose touch, let alone a decade plus. The school environment and demands of teaching have changed considerably over the last decade. 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. |