ESP Officer Positions
Listed alphabetically by last name, with incumbency indicated.
CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT
Catina Taylor *Incumbent*
No photo was submitted for this candidate.
Site: (On release to MFE)
Years in MPS: not provided
Years in MFE: not provided
Union Activities/Involvement: not provided
My name is Catina Taylor. I am a special educational assistant and union member of 28 years and counting. I’m currently on full time release serving as our MFE59 ESP President. It is an honor and privilege to do this work and continue working with our members to grow our union. While in this leadership role we have changed our name to MFE59 to show more solidarity with our licensed educators. We have won great contracts and have occurring meetings with district leaders.
I started off as a building steward for many years. Then I became an organizer for our union. After learning my own potential I ran for 2nd vice president. I served in this role for 2 terms. Then I ran for president. I will continue to do everything I can to help grow our union in solidarity with teachers, community, and all that support us!
CANDIDATES FOR FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
No photo or statement was submitted for the following candidates (listed alphabetically by last name):
Katrinka Zackery *Incumbent*
CANDIDATE FOR SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
Aria Campbell
Site: Transition Plus (ESP)
Years in MPS: 9 years
Years in MFE: 9 years
Union Activities/Involvement: State credentialed delegate for the NEA RA 2020, 2021, 2024, & 2025; MFE representative for the AFT Convention 2020, and 2024; MFE board member at large 2024 / 2025 school year
I was raised in a strong Union family with a mother who was the first black female president of her AFSCME local. I grew up understanding the benefit of collectivism and have been an active Union member since 1998. I volunteered to be a building rep., when I started at a school with over 60 ESPs and no steward for support staff. I am proud we now have 5 very knowledgeable, strong building reps!
CANDIDATES FOR RECORDING SECRETARY
No photo or statement was submitted for the following candidates (listed alphabetically by last name):
Bridget Mendoza-Smith *Incumbent*
CANDIDATE FOR JOINT TREASURER
Elizabeth (Lizz) Done *Incumbent*
Site: Davis Center/City-wide (PAR Mentor)
Years in MPS: 15
Years in MFE: 15
Union Activities/Involvement: I have served as a building union steward, summer organizer, organizer on partial release, regional strike captain, bargaining team lead, and CAT member.
I am excited to ask for your support as I run for union treasurer. In our union, we need staunch advocates for all of our members. In my work as a classroom teacher and as a PAR mentor I have had first hand experience with over 40 schools in our district and have come to realize how important a strong union is to building schools that work better for us, our students, and our community. We have a moral obligation to continue to build our schools and our own power as union members to create the strongest school district we can and push back against those who seek to diminish the voices of teachers and public schools as a whole. I have spent the last year getting deep into MPS finances and as treasurer, I would ensure that our union’s finances are in service of the goals our members have identified.
My vision for our union is to build a district that values the voices of professionals from both chapters and gives everyone the support they need to continue showing up every day. That we will grow together, create change together, and use our power as a union to make MPS a destination district.
ESP Chapter Executive Board Candidates
4 At-Large Positions
Listed alphabetically by last name, with incumbency indicated.
CANDIDATE FOR AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER
Timothy Ray
No photo was submitted for this candidate.
Site: Southwest High School (SEA)
Years in MPS: 25 years
Years in MFE: 25 years
Union Activities/Involvement: Esp Union Building Steward, Esp staff member coach, Sick Leave pool member, Contract negotiation team member, Members Rights Advocate.
My name is Timothy Ray. As your Esp MFE board member. I will do everything in my power to make our schools stronger. Along With safer neighborhoods for all.
I will stay committed to make sure our schools and union would be a safe space for our children families and all MFE ESP members and of course Non members.
Again I hope to get a member vote.
Thank You
Timothy Edward Ray
CANDIDATES FOR AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBER
No photo or statement was submitted for the following candidates (listed alphabetically by last name):
Kim Ambers *Incumbent*
Geneva Dorsey
Hope Hardwick
MJ Johnston *Incumbent*
Joint MRLF Chair
CANDIDATE FOR JOINT MINNEAPOLIS REGIONAL
LABOR FEDERATION (MRLF) CHAIR
Rebecca Miller *Incumbent*
Site: ECSE @ Wilder (Speech Language Pathologist)
Years in MPS: 33 years
Years in MFE: 33 years
Union Activities/Involvement: building steward, MRLF delegate and COPE committee member, MRLF Chair on MFT Joint Executive Board, Co-chair of Hardship Fund Committee 2024 & 2025, Legislative and COPE committee, past COPE treasurer (for about 10 years) , ECSE Strike Captain, Regional Strike Captain for Wilder programs and ECFE (2022.)
I am running for the MLRF Chair seat on the MFT Executive Board. For those who are not familiar with the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation (MRLF), it is the umbrella organization of unions in the Minneapolis area. MRLF’s mission is to organize in the community for social and economic justice for ALL working people.
I am excited to continue my work on the MFT EB. I am a strong voice representing all members and our students. As MRLF Chair, I not only represent licensed staff, but also ESPs. I have worked closely with ESPs at MFT and in the classroom and my spouse is an ESP in ECSE. I bring experience and perspective from early childhood education, Special Education and related services to the board.
Because of my work with MRLF, I value and understand the importance of MFT having strong relationships with the unions in our Minneapolis community. We saw this in the support our fellow unions provide during our strike and when organizing for a contract. These relationships encourage support for our members and our MPS schools and students. Our partnership with MRLF also provides MFT with opportunities to engage in social justice actions in our community that help support our MPS families and students.
ESP Chapter MRLF Delegates
4 Positions
CANDIDATES FOR MINNEAPOLIS REGIONAL
LABOR FEDERATION (MRLF) DELEGATES
(Listed alphabetically by last name)
Kim Ambers
Aria Campbell**
Geneva Dorsey
Hope Hardwick
Mikel Herb
**Please refer to Candidate Statement above