ENDORSEMENTS
Shamsi Ladak - Recipient the OSSTF D12 Women's Award 2009
Parkdale CI - Secondary Teacher
I’m writing to endorse Natasha Lau as an OSSTF Toronto President. As our branch president at our Year-Round Alternative school for several years, Natasha really stepped up as not only an excellent leader, but as a fearless advocate and negotiator. She’s not afraid to speak up and advocate for others when she knows it’s the right thing to do. We faced several challenges at our school with admin, and Natasha never backed down on any of our important issues. She faced much adversity for doing this, yet she never let any obstacle, pressure or personal issues interfere with her role. Natasha would make an excellent OSSTF Toronto President as she has extensive negotiation and grievance experience. Her strong background in math and finances would make her an ideal candidate during these fiscally troubling times.
Cindy Tsang - Recipient an OSSTF D12 Women's Award 2013
L'Amoreaux CI - Secondary Teacher
I believe Natasha Lau will be an excellent candidate as an OSSTF Toronto President. She’s not only knowledgeable about issues many teachers face, she is also extremely motivated, passionate and proactive about ensuring equality and equity in the teaching profession. Her fearlessness and determined leadership has proven to be successful in representing the staff as branch president. She tackled numerous complex grievances and improved the health and safety standards of the school. I truly believe that her confidence, honesty and vision will move us forward in the right direction.
Kendall Huras - Recipient of an OSSTF D12 Women's Award 2012
Past Branch President of Etobicoke Year Round Alternative Centre
Natasha Lau is an exceptional candidate for the OSSTF Toronto President. There is no other person that I would trust more to represent my rights as a TDSB teacher. With Natasha as my Branch President, she went well above and beyond her job making sure that we were taken care of and treated properly.
Natasha is caring, respectful and trustworthy. There is no doubt in my mind when it comes to Natasha filling the Provincial position, for she will fight for our best interests and not stop until the job is done.
Katia Berdichevsky
Agincourt CI - Secondary Teacher
It is with great pleasure that I am writing to endorse Natasha Lau for the position of Provincial Councillor. As the former Branch President at a Year Round School that had many issues, Natasha was paramount in both aiding me in the understanding of our very uniquely nuanced collective agreement and was not only attentive and responsive, but more aware and informed about the details than the EO's were at the time. She has also proven her weight in gold as a committed member of the OSSTFD12 community by serving on committees. Chairing meetings, attending rallies, being an AMPA delegate and most importantly, educating our newer members regarding their valued place in the union and their rights as workers. Natasha would be an asset to Provincial Council as she is not only smart, driven and committed to the issues of members, she is informed, critical and represents the voice of the general membership in ways that most people cannot do. This is of utmost importance moving forward in our district. I endorse Natasha Lau as I see her as being what the future of D12 should have in store.
Andy Kyrakos
OSSTF Endorsed TDSB Trustee Candidate in the 2010 Election
This letter is in support of Natasha Lau. Natasha had volunteered to work on my election campaign for trustee for the Toronto District School Board in 2010. She is a tireless campaigner, dedicated to public education and passionate about her profession. Above all Natasha is committed to her union, valuing the importance of her association and the crucial work that the OSSTF conducts on behalf of students and it member educators. I strongly believe Natasha will be excellent representative and will work hard to earn your support.
Bryon White
Mark Garneau CI - Former ACL of Literacy (Retired)
Natasha has been a dedicated union leader for many years who has no fear of standing up for the teachers that she represents. She is knowledgeable, efficient and filled with the kind of integrity and dedication to our solidarity that far too many others take for granted in their role as leaders. I wholeheartedly support Natasha!
Brock Bourgase
Northview Heights Secondary School - Business ACL
In recent years, Natasha has taken tough positions to advocate for teachers. She is a tireless advocate for staffing, healthy and safety and workplace conditions. Natasha advocates tirelessly for all staff members, not just a select group. She will help everyone who needs it.
Natasha has strong convictions about the role of the OSSTF and its importance in protecting teachers and working conditions. Her commitments to the OSSTF have been matched by countless efforts to improve her own school.
As a president, Natasha will be a thorough and effective advocate for every teacher.
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Joel Gardner
North Toronto C.I. - Math Teacher (Retired)
I have known and worked with Natasha for 10 years. Natasha is a fantastic advocate for teachers’ rights and is very knowledgeable about education and work-related issues. Natasha is very in-tune with her colleagues and consults to determining priorities and an action plan to carry forward. She persistently seeks answers to questions of concern that affect teacher working conditions and student learning conditions, as well as health and safety issues. A vote for Natasha is a vote for honesty and integrity, and for a representative who will fight for your rights.
Betty Andriopoulos
North Toronto C.I. - Special Education Teacher & BP for 12 years
Having worked alongside Natasha for over 15 years, I have witnessed her unwavering dedication to advocating for teachers’ rights and well-being, and I believe she possesses the vision, passion and leadership qualities necessary to bring about positive change within our union. With classroom teaching experience in the TDSB spanning over two decades, Natasha has gained invaluable insights into the challenges and issues faced by educators on a daily basis, and her platform emphasizes a proactive approach to addressing the evolving needs of teachers. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a commitment to improving working conditions, advocating for transparency and accountability, and fighting for the rights of all teachers. Natasha’s involvement in various committees and initiatives and her active participation in union activities, combined with her achievements, attest to her commitment to serving the membership with integrity and diligence. Natasha will work tirelessly to represent our collective interests and uphold the values of our union.
Laura Drexler,
VSS Teacher & 13 Time AMPA Delegate
Over the course of 15+ years, I have known Natasha Lau to stand up for principles even when taking that stand might be unpopular with leaders or the establishment. Locally and provincially I have seen Natasha speak up for consistency, ethics, and upholding the collective agreements and constitutions. Natasha doesn't think we should just wait until the next 4-year collective agreement to hope for improvements locally. She is eager and willing to take on the challenge and get results now.
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Natasha isn't afraid to advocate and doesn't back down easily. We deserve more than the status quo. We deserve a president that is dedicated to get results for us, the teachers. We deserve a president who is in touch with what is going on in the classrooms, and someone who truly wants to help. We deserve a president to communicates with members.
