AFT-WV vice-president Cynthia Phillips has been appointed to as a member of the American Federation of Teachers Program and Policy Committee by AFT national president Edward McElroy. Phillips, a teacher at Capital High School in Charleston, WV is the vice-president Kanawha County AFT chapter as well.
The AFT's PreK-12 Program and Policy Council (PPC) meets periodically throughout the year and determines the direction of the division in accordance with the goals of the national AFT. The PPC, which is a constitutional body of the AFT, provides policy guidance to the AFT elected leadership on pre-kindergarten through 12th grade issues such as class size, school safety and discipline, special education, curriculum, professional development, and the challenges of the No Child Left Behind Act.
The AFT-WV Executive Board is comprised of the four consitutional officers of the organization, eleven members-at-large and one ex-officio retiree member. The Executive Board, elected every two years at the AFT-WV convention, governs and sets policy for the AFT in West Virginia.
Meet the members of the AFT-WV Executive Board by clicking a name or scrolling down the page to view all members.
Cynthia Phillips, Vice-president Cynthia is a special education teacher at Captial High School in Kanawha County. She also serves as vice-president of AFT-Kanawha and is an ER & D trainer for the state Federation. She enjoys spending her spare time with her family.
Tony Lautar, Treasurer Tony is a special education specialist for Wood County Schools and has worked in thei field for 35 years. He is a long-time AFT activist, serving in numerous capacities on both the state and local levels over the years. In addition to his role in the union, Tony serves in several other capacities, including trustee for the Parkersburg Area Labor Council, representaitve of the Teachers' Defined Retirement System on the West Virginia Investment Management Board and member of the Board of Directors for St. Joseph's Hosptial in Parkersburg. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, attending sporting events and spending time with his family.
Beth Kitzmiller, Secretary Beth teaches K-8 music at Glade Elementary in Webster County, where she serves as treasurer of her local union. A 26-year veteran of teaching, Beth put her experience in the classroom to use to help fellow educators as a trainer for the Educational Research and Dissemination program (ER & D), the AFT's professional development. When not teaching, she enjoys singing, traveling and creative hobbies such as sewing, crafts and cake decorating.
AFT-WV Executive Board, Members-at-large
Fred Albert Fred teaches 6th grade at DuPont Middle School in Kanawha County, where he is president of AFT-Kanawha. Fred is also an ER & D trainer for AFT-WV. Fred is a pet lover and spends his free time spoiling his dog!
Andrea Alfred Andrea teaches special education for grades 9-12 at Liberty High School in Harrison County. Andrea has taught for 30 years and been active in the AFT, as well as her local AFL-CIO Labor Council for many years. Andrea serves as president of the AFT local in Harrison County. In her spare time, Andrea enjoys gardening, crafting, reading, writing, drawing, music, dancing, and decorating.
Debra Elmore Debra teaches 3rd grade at Ansted Elementary in Fayette County. A 15-year veteran of teaching, Debra is very involved in both the union and the teaching profession. She is a vice-president of the Fayette County Federation of Teachers, a delegate to the South Central Labor Council, and chairperson for Activists for Congressional Education. Debra ia also an ER & D trainer and teaches professional development courses for AFT-WV at Summer School and other events. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, hiking, traveling and politics.
Teresa Cunningham Teresa, better known as "Terry" to her friends, teaches exceptional education at Hurricane High School in Putnam County. Terry serves as secretary of the Putnam County Federation of Teachers and is an ER & D trainer for AFT-WV. Terry's hobbies include reading, traveling, music and theatre, football (Go Mountaineeers and Steelers!) and just enjoying life.
Ed Delaney
Photo and bio coming soon...
Sue Kelley Sue is a professor at Fairmont State University, where she teaches British literature. Although she has 20 years of teaching experience, she is relatively new to the union, and is very excited about the growth of AFT-WV's Higher Ed Division. When she isn't wokring, Sue enjoys gardening, nature, reading and opera, but most of all- spending time with her daughter, Anna.
Greg Merritt Photo coming soon...
Greg teaches 6th grade at Neale Elementary in Vienna, Wood County. He is in his 21st year of teaching. Greg serves as President of the Wood County Local, #4159, and is a delegate to the Parkersburg/Marietta area Labor Council. Greg is trained in the "Thinking Math" strand of AFT's ER & D program, and has been an instructor at AFT-WV Summer School for the past several years. Greg holds a BA from Glenville State and an MA from WVU.
Stacey Strawderman Stacey is president of AFT-Marion County and teaches 8th grade math at Monongah Middle School in Marion County. She also serves as the VIP of the Marion County Labor Council. In her leisure time, Stacey enjoys reading, camping, and spending time with her family.
Brandon Tinney Brandon teaches 5th grade math and science at Cherry River Elementary. He serves as president of the Nicholas County Federation of Teachers. Brandon enjoys sports and is an avid golfer. He is the current champion at Cherry Hill Country Club, which makes him a very popular guy at union golf outings.
Tena Webb Tena currently teaches driver education at Scott High School in Boone County. She serves as vice-president of the Boone County Federation of Teachers and is also president of the WV Safety and Driver Education Association. Tena enjoys gardening, traveling and searching for lost treasure at yard and estate sales.
Ex-officio member Delores Campbell Delores served for many years as a member of the executive board, and upon her recent retirement, was elected as the retiree representative to the board. She taught for 37 years, most of which was at Hurricane Middle School in Putnam County. Delores serves as treasurer for the Putnam County Federation of Teachers and is a member of the Putnam County Democrat Committee. Despite retiring from the profession, Delores remains very active in the union, but is also enjoying spending her spare time with her three sons, four grandsons and one great-granddaughter.