The city teacher’s union has praised the nomination of Pedro Rivera as the state’s next education secretary. Officials said he has experience as a teacher and administrator in the city’s public schools.

“Because his career has taken him from teacher, to principal, to superintendent of an entire school district, Rivera understands better than most how teacher unions and administrators should work together to improve public education,” Jerry Jordan, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers said.

Rivera, who served most recently as superintendent of Lancaster public schools, is incoming Gov. Tom Wolf’s nominee. Rivera has also worked as a teacher and administrator in Philadelphia public schools.

Donna Cooper, executive director of the Public Citizens for Children and Youth, which advocates for quality schools, said Rivera could provide a voice for minority students, serving as an advocate for Hispanic, Black and Asian students in a “new way” and work to keep issues of importance from being pushed to the wayside.

“This is very important for a city that’s looking to be very competitive in the future,” she said.

“It’s very positive news for us,” said Francisco Gallard, chief spokesman for the Philadelphia school district. “It’s very encouraging to have someone know the challenges an urban school district is facing. He will take a look at big cities like Philadelphia but also smaller school districts.”

The outgoing Corbett administration sided with the Philadelphia school district in imposing new work rules and health care benefits, ratcheting up tensions with the 15,000-member union representing teachers and support staff. Under state control since 2001, the school district voted to implement the changes but angered union leadership by bypassing the normal collective bargaining process. The matter is being contested in court; both sides await a decision.

Brett Schaeffer, spokesperson for the Education Law Center, a statewide advocacy group, spoke out in support of Rivera’s nomination, saying he is an “active proponent of our policies including shaping school funding formula reform. “He has a tremendous amount of experience and keen insight …. and we look forward to working with him,” Schaeffer said.

Mark Gleason, executive director of the Philadelphia School Partnership, said the organization saw Rivera as a colleague on several other fronts, including “ensuring access to quality public schools for all children and on policies to ensure the commonwealth is supporting recruitment, development and retention of great teachers.”

The nonprofit group solicits private donations for investment in school improvement and school construction projects.

There are 11,500 students in kindergarten through 12th grades in the Lancaster school district: 60 percent are Hispanic; 18 percent Black; 14 percent Caucasian and the remaining 9 percent Asians and other, according to the district’s website. Nearly 1,600 school staff members are on payroll.

A letter from the superintendent was posted on the Lancaster school community’s website. It read: “Regardless of gender, race, social economic status or academic needs, we know that all students can achieve at high levels. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn in the best-equipped classrooms with the most dedicated and prepared administrators, teachers and staff in optimal learning environments.”

Jordan saw Wolf’s appointment as signaling “voices of educators are heard and respected.”

“At a time when 50 percent of the nation’s schoolchildren live in poverty, Rivera’s experience as an educator at schools in Kensington makes him uniquely qualified to address the economic challenges facing Pennsylvania’s schools and children,” Jordan said.

The Philadelphia Tribune – January 22, 2015 – Read article online