My story is about family, longevity, commitment and dedication all rolled up into one. We have a rich history with our community. My dad was an alum of Great Neck High, class of 1937. He was also here on campus participating in the rally for teachers to be tenured in their positions! (a teacher had been fired, students and other faculty members felt unjustly so, rallied in support, and thus began Great Neck's tenure policy!)
My mom worked her way through the cafeteria system starting in my elementary school, moving with me to junior high then the high school where she became cook manager and made many faculty members upset when she retired and they could no longer eat her delicious meals each day!
My sister graduated from North High, returned here to work and moved up the ranks to become our union spokesperson as president before she retired. Her children are alums of North High and her son is not only a member of the faculty now but also a department chair and union representative at one of our schools.
I am an alum, and currently working at my home school as office staff and am currently a co-vice-president of our OSA and my daughter also graduated from these fine halls! We believe in Great Neck, we believe in the quality of education that our dedicated teachers provide as well as the loving and secure environment that is provided by the entire staff of our district.
By having a good strong union, open and receptive to our members and our administrators we are all able to work together for the betterment of our children and community. By being able to work together in harmony we are all able to concentrate on the job at hand with the true love and dedication that we all have.
It is sad to see that sometimes politics get in the way and the state is making things a bit more difficult to co-exist in the harmonious state we have enjoyed in the past. Let's keep our entire family strong, united and bonded together in keeping standards high, keeping quality staff on board and continuing our commitment to educating the deserving children of our state, each county and community working together for this wonderful goal.
(Joan Lazaunik is a member of Great Neck Teachers Association)