Lissette Velazquez

Lissette Velazquez is a third-year tenth-grade English teacher at the New York City Charter High School for Architecture, Engineering and Construction Industries’ (AECI) in the Bronx.

Q: Why did you decide to become a charter school teacher?
A: What I immediately liked about charter schools was that teachers are allowed to design their own curriculum. This freedom gives teachers more flexibility to teach to the specific students in the classroom as opposed to being given a generic curriculum that may not suit the kids that live in our community. By allowing teachers to develop their own curriculum, it gives us the chance to teach to each student’s learning style and help teachers to grow as educators.

Q: How has the union made a difference for your school?
A: The union can help to curb teacher turnover, which hurts students because of the lack consistency in the classroom. When the teachers here called, the UFT immediately stepped in and asked how they could make the school better for the kids and a more supportive community for the teachers. This school is new, and the union has been wonderful in helping to get teachers and students whatever they need to be successful. Especially in charter schools, there is so much pressure on us, it burns people out and they leave the profession. The union respects teaching as a profession that needs to be protected and respected. Teaching is a calling, you don’t do it for fame or money, you do it because you feel it’s the job you were made to do.

Q: What would you say to your colleagues in non-union charter schools?
A:Charter schools teachers work really hard; there’s a misconception that we have everything handed to us. So I would tell them: as a fellow charter school teacher, I know how hard you work, I know you’re there hours before kids are there and hours after. I understand what it is like to feel like you have no way to reach out to the administration. The union gives you a way to channel your voices as teachers to communicate with administration in a way that is productive for both you and the kids. The union gives you the opportunity to no longer have to worry about things outside the classroom, so you can focus on what matters – what happens inside the classroom.