Bronx, NY- Gustavo Rivera, the senate candidate in Bronx's 33rd district, today received the endorsement of the UFT and its statewide affiliate the New York State United Teachers as he announced a major education initiative today.
Rivera seeks to create a Bronx Education Corridor (BEC),a stellar partnership among the district's colleges and high schools to foster the academic ambitions of the youth in four broad areas: civic engagement and participation; the arts; science/technology, and technical/business education.
Rivera announced his agenda with key leaders in the education community, including members from the United Federation of Teachers, the Educational Justice Political Action Committee, and the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, and Professional Staff Congress.
"Gustavo Rivera is a smart, young, energetic and progressive leader and we are proud to offer him our endorsement," said Jose Vargas, Bronx Borough Representative of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), who announced The United Federation of Teachers and its statewide affiliate the New York State United Teachers' backing of Rivera. "Gustavo has spent his entire career in New York working to change the way business is done and he is the right candidate at the right time for the Bronx. He is a tireless supporter of public education and in the Senate he will fight for fair funding for our public schools, smaller classes for our kids and will be a strong voice at the Capitol for parents, teachers and the Bronx. It is time for the people of the Bronx to have a state senator who puts the community and the people first."
"Educational Justice Political Action Committee believes that every child in NYC receives a quality and well-rounded education regardless of their neighborhood, race or ethnicity. We need an education champion in Albany and trust that Gustavo Rivera will fight right alongside us in this battle for a better education for all children," said Ocynthia Williams of the Educational Justice Political Action Committee.
"As an educator, Gustavo Rivera has the experience to understand the issues facing principals, teachers, students and parents. Our members believe in what Rivera stands for and proudly backs his candidacy," said Ernest A. Logan, President of the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators. "We know Gustavo will put education first as we do every day of our lives."
"The PSC enthusiastically endorses Gustavo Rivera's plan to create a Bronx Education Corridor that joins student learning needs to new programming underpinned by a partnership between high schools and the City University of New York," said Barbara Bowen, the President of PSC. "The project is unique because it recognizes the role that public higher education can play in helping to develop high school student capacity in the arts, sciences and as citizens. Especially important is the project's intention to enable students to translate what they learn into concrete forms of give back to their communities. In this way, the Corridor helps to create the social capital so desperately needed by many neighborhoods in the Bronx. Finally, the project promises to redirect desperately needed resources to a number of the poorest communities in the City."
Councilmember Robert Jackson, Chair of the Education Committee enthused, "this is an exciting, imaginative collaboration which will help to raise expectations and provide opportunities for all participants. Gustavo's concept speaks to the vision and leadership he will bring us as a New York State Senator." Councilmember Jackson is also backing Rivera.
"I am humbled by the support of these great educators," said Rivera. "The students of this community rely on our teachers and our principals for so much. We must give them the very best work environments as possible. And that starts with small class sizes. I know because I've seen it firsthand."
Rivera will lead the BEC Advisory Board, which will include high school teachers, college professors, parents, students, community leaders on education, and Officials from the Department of Education and the City University of New York. The mission of the BEC Advisory Board will be to seek creative ways for college professors to collaborate with high school teachers that will result in an educational collaboration between college students and high school students. The BEC will promote programs and projects in these four academic areas with the help of funding from Rivera and his office if needed.
Today's endorsements are the latest in a string of high profile endorsements for the surging Rivera campaign. Other Labor unions that endorsed Rivera include AFL-CIO, 1199 SEIU, SEIU 32BJ, The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, the Transport Workers Union of America, Communication Workers of America Local 1180, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500, Freelancers Union, Hotel and Motel Trades Council and Organization of Staff Analysts. Elected officials backing Rivera include: Bronx Borough President Reuben Diaz Jr, Former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer; City Comptroller John Liu, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, Former Mayor Ed Koch, Bronx Council Members: Fernando Cabrera, Oliver Koppell, Annabel Palma; Borough President Scott Stringer; Senators: Liz Krueger, Eric Schneiderman; Assembly Members: Adriano Espaillat, Daniel O'Donnell; and Council Members: Margaret Chin, Daniel Dromm, Daniel Garodnick, Robert Jackson, Brad Lander, Jessica Lappin, Melissa Mark-Viverito and Jumaane Williams. Democratic clubs endorsing Rivera include: 504 Democratic Club, Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club, Jim Owles Democratic Club and Stonewall Democratic Club. Progressive groups that endorsed Rivera include New Roosevelt Initiative and Working Families Party.
