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St. Paul Federation of Teachers President Mary Cathryn Ricker was elected to the national leadership team of the American Federation of Teachers at the union’s convention.
She will step down from the local presidency by the end of the month, her union announced.
“I am energized by the mandate the members of the American Federation of Teachers have given me and the rest of the leadership team,” Ricker said. “We will work tirelessly to reclaim the promise of America for the members of our union and the citizens and students we serve. We will fight forward by being solution-driven, community engaged and member-involved.”
Education Minnesota President Denise Specht praised Ricker’s work as president of the SPFT.
“Mary Cathryn has been a tireless and innovative advocate for the students of St. Paul. She will be missed by everyone who cares about public education in Minnesota,” Specht said. “However, in this case, our loss is the gain of educators and working people throughout the United States who will benefit from her leadership at the national level.”
Ricker was elected as executive vice president of the AFT, one of the top three positions within the national union, during the AFT’s national convention in Los Angeles. Ricker replaces Francine Lawrence, who plans to retire this year and did not seek re-election. AFT President Randi Weingarten and AFT Secretary-Treasurer Lorretta Johnson were re-elected.
Ricker continues a legacy begun nearly a century ago by St. Paul teacher Florence Rood, who was elected president of the national union in 1923.
When she resigns, Ricker will be succeeded by SPFT Vice President Denise Rodriguez, who will serve the remainder of Ricker’s term, which expires in June 2015. Rodriguez is a Spanish teacher at Ramsey Middle School. She is a graduate of Harding High School and has worked as a teacher in the district for 36 years.