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Uniting to get things done SRP Employee of the Year: Carol Odierno 
April 7, 2004
For those who know Carol Odierno, a teacher aide and founding member of the School-Related Professionals chapter of the Sayville Teachers Association, that definition fits like a glove. "I honestly have to say that for myself, and for dozens of students, I don't know where we'd be without her," said Kevin Noonan, who has worked with Odierno for eight years at Sayville High School on Long Island. Daniel Mastroianni, a 26-year-old hotel worker in upstate Rensselaer County, agrees. Odierno became his aide when he was in middle school and she stayed with him through graduation. Mastroianni has Down syndrome and school was not easy. "She worked with the teachers to modify the work, and then she would work with me," he said from the group home where he now lives. "I would not be where I am today without Miss Odierno. I have a job. I'm on my own. She would not let me fail." For that high standard of service, in her job and her local union, NYSUT honored Odierno with its SRP Employee of the Year award. Her impact in the union reaches far, noted Teresa Konopelko, president of the SRP chapter of the Sayville TA, who nominated Odierno for the award. "Having somebody like Carol, who encourages and supports everyone around her and who so strongly believes in doing what's right for the children, our union and our statewide union, means so much to all of us," Konopelko said. For example, Odierno is often a union liaison. "No matter what she goes to, especially the NYSUT conferences and training workshops, she comes back and makes sure people get the information they need," Konopelko said. "This award is a fitting tribute to a woman who has touched the lives of all of the students and school personnel that she has worked with," said Joseph Ladolcetta, a special ed teacher at the middle school where she worked for many years before "graduating" to the high school to follow Mastroianni and assist him there. Tim Southeron, STA vice president, said Odierno would most likely deflect the honor, or reflect it back on other union members. "She's a very humble person and doesn't sing her own praises," Southerton said. "She has made our union as strong as it is today." Sure enough, when Odierno gets a chance to talk, she asks, "I'd like to know who this person is everyone is talking about?" She recalls supporting the simple logic of the aides joining the teachers union 20 years ago. "We needed support to do our jobs and we needed support in getting contracts," Odierno said. "Being united is the best way to get things done." -Betsy Sandberg |
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