20-Year New Haven Educator Announces Run For Union President

NEW HAVEN, CT — To a room full of her colleagues, friends and former students on Thursday evening, Cameo Thorne, announced that she is running for Union President of the New Haven Federation of Teachers at The Anchor Spa.

“Teachers want change. We are the first line of defense for our students. And, yet, we are the last consideration in every district decision,” said Thorne in a prepared statement released to the media. “That is why I am running for Union President of the New Haven Federation of Teachers, to raise teachers’ voices and activate their advocacy so they can do the jobs they were hired to do – ensure students get an excellent and equitable education.”

Similar to districts across the country, New Haven Public Schools share the same woes that lack of funding and support from administration brings. Thorne said this year, we are seeing some of the worst cuts in our district’s history; taking dozens of educators out of schools.

“This is unacceptable, especially when it’s clear cuts could have been made elsewhere first, she said. In her speech to the audience, Thorne called out the public education system’s inequities. “This is by no means a secret but sometimes we act as though it is. As union president, I will call these inequities to the carpet, so that we can work with the community to find solutions that allow all New Haven students to reach their full potential,” Thorne said in a prepared statement.

“For too long, teachers’ voices have been missing from the decisions that affect them the most. This is wrong and we deserve better. Teachers should feel confident they will be protected by their unions from harmful work environments and listened to when they raise issues that concern our students – that is how we know the union is working for us. Our voices have been lost for too long. As union president, I promise to bring back the thoughts and opinions that matter most – our educators,” Thorne said in a statement.