Lake teachers union chief B. Grassel spent years as education advocate

B. "Belita" Grassel was sleepy and tired of watching local school politicians bickering at a late-night School Board meeting and was poised to make a statement. At the time, getting anything done took longer than needed, and the issue was so simple so she couldn't remember why it needed discussion.

At 10:30 p.m., Grassel, then the president of the Lake County teachers union, would make a statement with her pillow. Grassel pulled out a neck pillow, a "blankie" and hunkered down, signaling she'd had enough of the fighting, and elected officials simply needed to work together.

"Just to say it's crazy," she said, describing her actions. "It's bedtime. Let us go home. Get our work done. Stop bickering. Get your work done."

That meeting, which was more than five years ago, lasted another hour, but during later meetings Grassel would continue to whip out the pillow and blanket to make her point. In six years as Lake County Education Association president she never shied away from making public statements about education.

Grassel, 65, retired last month at the helm of the group that represents the district's 2,800 teachers. The end was bittersweet for Grassel, who'd spent her last days unsuccessfully trying to get teachers raises for the work they did in the 2012-13 school year after a contract failed a ratification vote. Teachers haven't received raises for three of the last six school years.

Grassel said the contract was the most disappointing part of her presidency, but her time was also was dotted with bright spots. She was at the helm of the association when it purchased a new building and once successfully negotiated getting elementary teachers an extra five minutes of planning time.

A former guidance counselor for special-education children and a nursing teacher, Grassel, was known for her collaborative approach, but she could be a tenacious advocate when needed.

"Since she became president the Legislature in particular has not been kind to teachers and I think B. has been a beacon in keeping the professional side and the positive side of teaching to the public," said Jim Polk, the union's former executive director. "?She's very kind but she can really be a bulldog when she needs to."

Though retired, Grassel plans to continue working for free until the 2012-13 contract is finished. The district wants to end those talks without raises and start salary talks for the 2013-14 school year when roughly $6 million is earmarked for raises. Aside from negotiations, Grassel's future is unclear, but she continues to see herself as an advocate.

"I listen to what people say are their concerns, and then I stand up for them," she said. "I want to be the voice. Teachers don't have time to go to School Board meetings.? They email me, they communicate with me and then I speak for them."

ericarodriguez@tribune.com or 352-742-5928

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/orlandosentinel/news/local/lake/~3/zO5qA7UDRVk/story01.htm

pauly d project adrienne rich autism cesar chavez day raspberry ketone ron burgundy millennial media