2016 AFT Everyday Heroes

Congratulations to our winners!

Finalists from each AFT division were chosen, representing teachers, PSRPs, higher education staff and faculty, public employees, healthcare professionals, early childhood educators and retirees, and the votes are in.

Read about the winners—fellow members who epitomize the spirit of public service, camaraderie and compassion, and inspire us all to reclaim the promise in our chosen fields and in our communities.

Each AFT division’s 2016 Everyday Hero will be honored at this year’s AFT convention.

AFT Teachers

Erika Wozniak
Teacher, Oriole Park School, Chicago
Chicago Teachers Union 
Read Erika's story.

AFT Paraprofessionals and School-Related Personnel

Brenda Johnson
Transition specialist
Minneapolis Federation of Teachers and Educational Support Professionals
Read Brenda's story.

AFT Higher Education

Arnold Korotkin
Sociology professor, Montclair State University, Montclair, N.J.
Montclair State University Federation of Adjunct Faculty
Read Arnold's story.

AFT Public Employees

Valentina Washington
Health Department Accountant II
Baltimore County (Md.) Federation of Public Employees
Read Valentina's story.

AFT Nurses and Health Professionals

Roger Woods
Registered nurse, Danbury (Conn.) Hospital
Danbury Nurses' Union
Read Roger's story.

Early Childhood Educators

Sandra Cappelli
Teacher, John F. Horgan Elementary School, West Warwick, R.I.
West Warwick Teachers' Alliance
Read Sandra's story.

AFT Retirees

Sam Trivette
Retired, Alaska Public Employees Association
Read Sam's story.