Charter school and Latino leaders push unions to innovate

Bruce Fuller:

Antonio Villaraigosa, the handsome high-voltage mayor of Los Angeles, really comes alive when recalling his start in local politics--as a labor organizer agitating for reform inside decrepit and overcrowded schools. "I cut my teeth working for the union. I cultivated these young teachers who had come to these schools to change the world," he said, brimming with pride.

Back in 1989, one of those teachers, Joshua Pechthalt, joined Villaraigosa for a rally downtown in Exposition Park. Pechthalt remembers his charismatic young friend pumping up the crowd. "Antonio was the master of ceremonies who had parents and teachers on their feet," recalled Pechthalt, now vice president of United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA). "When we see each other, to this day, we give each other a hug."

Posted by Jim Zellmer at April 7, 2010 2:01 AM
Subscribe to this site via RSS/Atom: Newsletter signup | Send us your ideas