AFT Vice President
Mary J. Armstrong has been president of AFT St. Louis since 2003, and is a member of the AFT Teachers program and policy council.

A product of the St. Louis public school system, Armstrong has worked in the district for more than 30 years, primarily as a math teacher. She has also taught math to adults, coached athletic teams and sponsored after-school programs.

Armstrong joined the union during her first month of teaching and has been an active member and leader ever since. She was a building representative or assistant building representative in every school where she worked and has been an elected member of the union's executive board for more than 30 years. She also has held elected positions with AFT Missouri.

Armstrong is also active outside the union. She has served on two committees for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: the Career Ladders Committee and the Missouri Advisory Council of Certification for Educators. She is a member of the Mathematics Educators of Greater St. Louis, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.

Armstrong has been recognized for her leadership and service with several awards, including the local's Secondary Teacher of the Year award; the St. Louis Public Schools role model award (teen panel); and a mention in Who's Who in American High Schools.

(July 14, 2008)