New NSTU President On The Job

HALIFAX, Aug. 20, 2012 /CNW/ - Annapolis Valley educator Shelley Morse officially took office with the Nova Scotia Teachers Union on August 1, 2012 becoming the 43^rd president representing the 10,600-members in Nova Scotia's public schools and Community College system.

"I am excited to be representing the teachers, Community College members and students of Nova Scotia," says Morse. "We are facing difficult times in public education. Teaching positions have been cut resulting in fewer human resources, support for students and larger class sizes. I am ready to meet the challenges of our profession and am passionate about advocating for members and quality education in our province."

A classroom teacher for 28 years, she succeeds Alexis Allen who completed her second two-year term as NSTU's president on July 31, 2012. Morse has been a teaching vice principal for the last eight years. Morse's teaching career began at Gaspereau Valley Elementary, she has also taught at Port Williams Elementary, Aldershot Elementary and New Minas Elementary schools.

"We have exceptional teachers and we need to make sure they are being supported," Morse says. We have seen a $65 million reduction in education funding over two years. We need to ensure that we have a properly funded education system to meet the needs of all students."

Morse has volunteered with the NSTU her entire career and most recently served as the president of the Kings Local. She has also chaired the Annapolis Valley Regional Representative Council, was the NSTU first vice president from 2008-2010, and served on the NSTU Provincial Executive from 2002-2006.

Morse holds an Associate in Education diploma from the Nova Scotia Teachers College. She has a BEd, Diploma in Special Education, and MEd in Counselling from Acadia University. She is currently completing courses for a Diploma in Business Administration from the Nova Scotia Community College.

She is the seventh woman to hold the top post of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union since its inception in 1895.

SOURCE: NOVA SCOTIA TEACHERS UNION

Angela Murray, NSTU Public Relations Coordinator
Telephone: [phone], Cell: 902-497-0194, Email: [email protected]