Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/99010
An era ends Weinberg joins Rudy Norton in the upstate office "Rudy was a great mentor for me," praises Weinberg. Which explains, he says, his wardrobe. Just like Rudy, he always sported an impeccable coat and tie, and polished shoes. He does like clothes, he says, but Norton set the example in the upstate office. "It was our uniform," Weinberg says. The two were the dynamic duo that, on occasion, had members calling the office looking for Mr. Norton Weinberg. "All we did was advocacy work back then, bargaining contracts and filing and defending grievances. We communicated constantly and could step in for the other when needed. With the four new districts, there was bumping and layoffs every year – hundreds. We both developed relationships with district and school administrators to solve problems quickly It . was a great time. Lots of fun," he says. In the downstate office were two very supportive UniServ colleagues, Jim Caruth, UniServ coordinator who is now retired, and Bill Bubb, now an attorney . Growing years bring on new issues As the Association grew and bargaining crises settled down, the membership was more and more interested in having the Association work on classroom and school-based issues. More UniServ directors could be hired, and they began to also deal with what was then called "Instructional and Professional Development (IPD)" issues. These included an NEA staff person Betsy Weinberg, Howard's wife, hired to be a UniServ director in Kent County She focused on IPD . issues as a way to organize members. Later, Exec. Director Ron Pierce created the Program Manager position, so that we would have a person working on leadership development, and membership growth. Weinberg got the job and moved to the Dover office. "We were now very focused on building the capacity of both DSEA and its locals, and making sure we all remained relevant to our members," says Weinberg. DSEA was www.dsea.org Proud of DSEA, but "just another worker" DSEA then and now 1979 10 staff, with 4 UniServ directors 5,199 members No ESP locals Average teacher salary $16,145 getting more sophisticated, training members and leaders, working on strategic planning and more focused budgeting. Weinberg took on new responsibilities in 1989 as UniServ manager, followed in 2000 by a leave of absence to help NEA as their UniServ program manager, and then back to DSEA in 2001. It was at this point that the DSEA Exec. Board appointed him executive director upon the retirement of friend and colleague Ron Pierce. NOW 23 staff, with 7 UniServ directors 12,624 members 20% of membership is ESP Average teacher salary $56,667 As he has thought about the DSEA of 1979 and today's DSEA, "It is clear that the traditional union work of 1979 is still much of the work, but it is no longer our only work." Today we deal with what can be characterized as "school improvement" issues: accountability, student testing, teacher evaluation, Race to the Top, PLC's, RtI, multiple measures, common core, increased state and federal involvement in public education … all of this, Weinberg notes, expands not Howard always asked the tough questions and called on us to plan strategically for the overwhelming changes our members would face. Howard witnessed first-hand the strong commitment of our members to the children in our schools. He could talk to the bus driver on the early morning route as well as legislators; ultimately, he would speak for us to the state and national leaders who would challenge our role in public education. - Mary Ann Pry, DSEA President, 1996-2002 Leadership style: "Going through the process" People who have worked with Howard know that he values the process of problem-solving, a collaborative, hearing-from- everyone, considering-all-points-of-view process in order to then make a well-considered decision. "It can be slow, but it brings issues and points of view out in the open. I like to think of myself as a facilitator more than a decision-maker," he says. DSEA staff will tell you that whenever they went to Howard for advice, they'd walk out of the office having made up their own mind. If you're the kind of person who wants a quick decision, and then action, that's not Howard. He talks you through the pros and cons, and pretty soon, you know what you have to do. It can be frustrating, if all you want is a quick decision, but Howard never worked that way . only the work of our members but also the work of DSEA staff and leaders. Parents are, of course, still critically important players in public education, "…. But now we must also deal with the business community, reform organizations and foundations, and their influence. And because of this, we have to be even more involved in legislative affairs, political action, political organizing, and elections." In his ever-humble way, he says that his titles never mattered. "I was always just one of the workers, part of all the great things we have done." …Such as the Working Conditions Survey that we lobbied to be included in Delaware's application for Race to the Top funding. The idea of the survey, in fact, was pitched by Weinberg for a decade to any and all state policymakers who would listen. The problem was always about finding the funding. "We know what makes a great school – a strong collaborative leadership, meaningful professional development, appropriate class sizes, time for collaboration with colleagues. I hope our members will take the time in January to go to the website (See page 4 for details about the Tell Delaware statewide survey.) and complete this survey It's not the typical . working conditions survey that folks may envision. The questions here have nothing to do with the 'working conditions' we bargain." With this survey, districts and schools will have an opportunity to see where they stand, how they measure up on the conditions that make great schools. The information could then lead to inclusion of these improvements in strategic planning. "My hope is that this survey becomes so valuable that it is done regularly," stresses Weinberg, "so we can all track progress. There is so much research on what makes a great school, that striving to improve in these areas is really a no-brainer." Legacy not his concern Thousands of Delaware teachers and students are in Howard's debt for his incredible service. His gentle wisdom and steadfast leadership have been exemplary and, as a result, the Delaware State Education Association is one of the best in the country. - Helen D. Wise DSEA Executive Director, 19791984 The topic of his legacy comes up routinely "I never think about it. . That's really for the people who follow me to decide. What I know is that it's about the amazing DSEA story, our history, and the meaning it all has. I'm happy to have been part of that story for the last 33 years." Nov./Dec. 2012 DSEA ACTION! 13