Deborah Rosenstein, an experienced educator who focuses on a "member-driven" approach, has joined the staff of the University of Minnesota Labor Education Service.

A welcome reception for Rosenstein will be held Tuesday, Oct. 18, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Carlson School of Management dining room, 321 19th Ave. S., Minneapolis. For directions, phone 612-624-5020.

A native of Michigan, Rosenstein has worked for a variety of unions, including the Paperworkers, Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees and United Food and Commercial Workers. Most recently, she was Education Coordinator for the Service Employees International Union in Washington, D.C.

Her union memberships include serving as a steward with the Montgomery County Government Employees in Maryland; and as a Safety and Health Committee member with both OPEIU Local 2 and the Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild/CWA in Washington, D.C.

Her areas of expertise include internal organizing, leadership development, occupational safety and health and fostering solidarity among diverse groups. She implements creative techniques, such as skits or song-writing, in the classroom. In addition to teaching, Rosenstein has a record of working in coalitions on issues such as immigration.

Deborah Rosenstein

"Since the beginning of my involvement with the labor movement, I've worked to expand the role of education within unions and to advocate for a more member-driven approach," she said. "Creating the space for members to generate new knowledge together and to place their experiences within the broader struggle for social justice is always a rewarding challenge."

Rosenstein fills the position left vacant by the departure of Lisa Jordan.

"We're very excited to welcome Deborah to our staff," said LES Director Howard Kling. "Working people in Minnesota will benefit from her breadth of experience, strong skills and fresh perspective."

The Labor Education Service, founded in 1951, provides education, research and telecommunications services to the working people of Minnesota.

As part of the Labor Studies Courses and Certificate Program, Rosenstein will teach "Introduction to Organizing" this fall and "Internal Organizing" next spring. The bulk of her work will be customized training with unions; organizations may contact her at 612-626-2034 to discuss education and schedule sessions.

For more information
View the complete LES course schedule at www.laboreducation.org