Dave Chizzonite remembers well the stories his grandmother told him about union bashers. She was a rep at the knitting mill where she worked in Herkimer, NY. When she spoke out, her employers tried to silence her by sending her to the top floor of the factory to work in the oppressive heat — it didn't stop her.
Shelly Chizzonite grew up in a UAW household that enjoyed a great middle-class life thanks to her dad's decades of work at Chrysler's New Venture Gear plant in Dewitt, NY.
Is it any surprise these educators (both proud SUNY grads) found each other and now make up one of many NYSUT power couples?
Both are NYS Master Teachers — Dave is a science teacher and president of the Chittenango Teachers Association and Shelly is a school counselor and VOTE-COPE coordinator with East Syracuse-Minoa United Teachers. Both use their family experiences as the springboard to do good work on behalf of NYSUT members.
Dave serves on the NYSUT Board as ED 8 Director. Shelly helps get out the vote (especially for John Mannion for Congress) as NYSUT’s Political Action Coordinator in SD50.
Together this NYSUT couple is truly #UnionStrong! Do you know a NYSUT power couple? Tell us! #NYSUTRA