Erika Wozniak Leaves Teaching to Work for Alderman Sam Nugent
By Jim Vail
Erika Wozniak Francis, a fiery political activist and teacher, has accepted a job as chief of staff to newly elected Ald. Samantha Nugent (39 ward).
Politico reported the sudden job change for Wozniak who has worked as an elementary school teacher for more than 15 years in the Chicago Public Schools. Her last school was Oriole Park.
Wozniak is also co-host of The Girl Talk, a live public-affairs talk show at The Hideout.
Wozniak has been a fighter for the teachers union for a long time. She first made her name by fighting the city's decision to give tax dollars to DePaul University to build a basketball stadium when the Chicago Public Schools were closing schools because they claimed there was no money.
This past year she ran against Ald. James Cappleman in Uptown for alderman. She did not make the runoff, but supported Marianne Lalonde who lost by just a few votes to Cappleman in the runoff.
Second City Teachers reported that the Illinois Network of Charter Schools endorsed Nugent for alderman. Wozniak did not return a message asking why she has chosen to work for a charter supporter.
Wozniak received a lot of cash from unions, including over $50,000 from the Chicago Teachers Union, as well as donations from SEIU and others.
The CTU has earned its reputation as a strong fighter against charter schools that have replaced public schools closed under the harsh education reform movement backed by the rich.
The Charter network said 10 of its 13 endorsed candidates won, inlcuding Howard Brookins (21st), Ariel Reboyras (30th), Ray Lopez (15), Stephanie Coleman (16th), Felix Cardona (31), and Samantha Nugent (39).
The Chicago Teachers Union said they also endorsed 10 winning aldermen, including Jeanette Taylor, Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25), Andre Vasquez (40), Matt Martin (47), Rossana Rodriguez (33) and Maria Hadden (49).
One teacher activist in Uptown said she did not support Wozniak because she just moved to the area and was not involved in community issues.
By Jim Vail
 |
| Erika Wozniak is now Ald. Nugent's chief of staff. |
Erika Wozniak Francis, a fiery political activist and teacher, has accepted a job as chief of staff to newly elected Ald. Samantha Nugent (39 ward).
Politico reported the sudden job change for Wozniak who has worked as an elementary school teacher for more than 15 years in the Chicago Public Schools. Her last school was Oriole Park.
Wozniak is also co-host of The Girl Talk, a live public-affairs talk show at The Hideout.
Wozniak has been a fighter for the teachers union for a long time. She first made her name by fighting the city's decision to give tax dollars to DePaul University to build a basketball stadium when the Chicago Public Schools were closing schools because they claimed there was no money.
This past year she ran against Ald. James Cappleman in Uptown for alderman. She did not make the runoff, but supported Marianne Lalonde who lost by just a few votes to Cappleman in the runoff.
Second City Teachers reported that the Illinois Network of Charter Schools endorsed Nugent for alderman. Wozniak did not return a message asking why she has chosen to work for a charter supporter.
Wozniak received a lot of cash from unions, including over $50,000 from the Chicago Teachers Union, as well as donations from SEIU and others.
The CTU has earned its reputation as a strong fighter against charter schools that have replaced public schools closed under the harsh education reform movement backed by the rich.
The Charter network said 10 of its 13 endorsed candidates won, inlcuding Howard Brookins (21st), Ariel Reboyras (30th), Ray Lopez (15), Stephanie Coleman (16th), Felix Cardona (31), and Samantha Nugent (39).
The Chicago Teachers Union said they also endorsed 10 winning aldermen, including Jeanette Taylor, Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25), Andre Vasquez (40), Matt Martin (47), Rossana Rodriguez (33) and Maria Hadden (49).
One teacher activist in Uptown said she did not support Wozniak because she just moved to the area and was not involved in community issues.
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