Pamelyn Massarsky:  

After graduating from college in 1967 with a degree in English lit, I taught elementary school on the Westside of Chicago and got involved with the Chicago Teachers Union. I was the school's delegate, a member of various committees, a district supervisor, and a member of the CTU executive board. In 1975, I was hired by the CTU as a field representative, someone who represents members in the schools (I had the north side, including Mather) in grievance hearings, conducts school meetings to keep members informed, deals with principals and board administrators. In 1982, I became the CTU's newspaper editor. I wrote all the articles, took all the photographs, and prepared the dummy layouts for printing. I became the communications director two years later. In that capacity, I condinued my editor's duties but handled public relations as well. In 1985, I was elected to one of the five full-time officers' positions, recording secretary. Until we hired a new editor, I continued all my responsibilities but now I was a member of the negotiating team. After about six months, I was able to hand over the editor's job to a new hiree but, as reco...Expand for more