Zina Burton-Myrick ’85 (Political Science)
Zina Burton-Myrick is the District 5 Representative at the United Federation of Teachers, the nation’s largest union local representing over 200 thousand members. She was the immediate past chairperson of the American Federation of Teachers Black Caucus, New York State Chapter, and served as the national chair of the AFT Black Caucus. She is a firm believer that strong communities will make a strong nation, which is evident in her commitment to schools across America, educational organizations, and community groups. She has traveled to Nicaragua with the NYSUT Labor-Religion Coalition as part of a mission to explore fair trade practices around the world as well as to Juarez, Mexico to look at immigration laws, visited one room schools in South Africa and Colombia, and the growing cooperative movement that provides independence to workers and communities abroad. She has also, over the years, been an advocate for the rebuilding of New Orleans after the effects of Hurricane Katrina, supporting back-to-school events, donating school supplies, building libraries, and organizing classroom makeovers, as well as door-knocking and union building. She serves on the Civil and Human Rights Committee and the Fair Trade Committee for New York State United Teachers. Her untiring work to promote healthy eating, ensure students have Prom dresses, writing Donors Choose grants, sponsoring Legislative Breakfast, spearheading First Book drives, writing grants for class pets, fundraising for schools, Toy and Coat Drives as well as celebrating students and members all to ensure community consciousness is evident of work done across Harlem.
Zina began her career in 1988 as an elementary teacher in the South Bronx. Then moving on to become a Staff Developer in literacy and technology from 1998 – 2003 at CS 154 in Harlem. She is currently teaching again at that school. Advocating for the students and teachers in New York City public schools, she lobbies continually in Albany, NY, and Washington, DC on educational issues at the local, state, and national levels.
Zina is a member of several professional associations, including the NAACP New York City branch, Coalition of Black Trade Unionist, NYSUT Human Rights Committee, National Urban League, LACLA, Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus and National Association of Bilingual Education, President for the CUNY Education Alumni and on the Board of Directors, a member of the UFT ELL Task Force and a proud lifelong member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Zina has received awards of recognition from several organizations including Donors Choose, IMPACT II Grant for Innovative Programs in the classroom, American Heart Association Task Force Member, the UFT David Wittes award, UFT Ely Trachtenberg Award, the Backer-Scheintaub Award and Albert Lee Smallheiser Award, is presented to those educators who strive to empower and uplift the community in politics, education and unionism, the Westchester Black Woman’s Political Caucus Award and the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Community Service Award Thurgood Marshall, and Make the Grade Foundation. She has earned several degrees, including a graduate degree from SUNY New Paltz, City College of New York, and Baruch College, where she earned her degree in Educational Administration and Supervision.
She is a wife, mother of two daughters, and a grandmother of 1.
“This award holds immense personal significance to me coming from my alma mater. New Paltz laid the foundation for my professional career, starting with my internship with the NYS Legislature. It's a testament to the education I received, the values I learned, and the knowledge instilled in me during my time here.
I am humbled to be recognized for my contributions to my field of education and the labor movement. A lifetime of 40 years in education, being validated by my peers, is a reminder of the impact that New Paltz has had on my life's journey.”
