Guy Costello is vice president of WEAC
 Guy Costello |
It was about 16 years ago that Guy Costello moved north from Chicago to become a teacher in South Milwaukee. Since that time, he has worked as an elementary school teacher, seeing firsthand the issues facing and the promise of public education.
Costello’s position as a teacher at Lakeview Elementary School was his first and only job in public education. His rich background in union, electoral and political organizing provided him with the skills needed to bring about change and innovation in his local, as well as at the state level.
Whether organizing community coalitions or promoting school finance reform, Costello firmly believes WEAC members have a vital role in maintaining great schools.
Costello is the first full-time release vice president in WEAC history. Leadership comes naturally to Costello, who is determined to keep the union strong. He has moved his way from building representative to vice president of the South Milwaukee Education Association, from Council #10 UniServ president to the WEAC Board of Directors. As chair of the WEAC Legislative Committee, Costello assisted in the development of three WEAC pro-active legislative agendas.
“I see my new role as WEAC vice president as helping make a difference for our union, kids and public education,” he said. "I am looking forward to working with our members all around the state, as well as friends of public education."
For more than 30 years, Costello has worked to bring people together to achieve their goals. As a union organizer, he is well known for his skill and success in coalition-building. “We are going to reach out and fight to find success in getting fair funding for schools, restoring our rights of collective bargaining, and reforming health care,” he said.
Before becoming an educator, Costello worked for eight years with Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers Union in California and another eight years working as a political organizer in Chicago. He was active in the Illinois Citizen Action Organization before leaving Chicago to become a teacher in South Milwaukee.
“I have learned that great power comes from like-minded people working together for a common cause,” Costello said.
“I am looking forward
to working with our members all around our state, as well as friends of public education.” |
“My experience as an organizer and as an educator gives me something unique to offer our union at a time when it is crucial that we reach out, work together, and build the coalitions that we need to overcome the many challenges before us,” he said.
WEAC Executive Director Dan Burkhalter said Costello is a valuable addition to the WEAC leadership team. He said Costello’s experience and vision will enhance the new team, comprised also of President Mary Bell and Secretary-Treasurer Betsy Kippers. “Guy has a determination to connect with all of our members, creating a common vision and working toward common goals,” Burkhalter said.
Costello said the diverse membership of WEAC is its greatest strength. “WEAC members contribute at all levels and in different ways, and those contributions are important,” he said. “All of those collective actions keep our union strong.”
As a leader, Costello is committed to listening to the voices of WEAC members. “I think good leadership starts with listening,” he said. “As a leader you need to listen to your members’ concerns, needs, hopes, and dreams and share yours with them. Then together you form a common vision and goals.”
Leaders need to foster trust and employ clear, consistent communication to motivate members to action, and must work in coalition to achieve common goals, Costello said. An organizing plan that involves all levels of the union must be part of the process, he added, noting that leaders must continually express and share their common vision.
“This is a lifelong passion,” Costello continued. “Our union is something I strongly believe in and will work to strengthen.”
“The passage of the QEO, revenue controls, No Child Left Behind, and the increasing influence that state and federal governments have on public education have created a new reality,” he said. “Like it or not, to be free to do our jobs, win fair wages and benefits for our members, and make sure every child has access to a quality education we must all begin to think of ourselves not just as educators but also as organizers.”
Costello looks forward to continuing discussions with members about the most significant issues facing the union, including the current system for funding public education and the negative impacts of that system. Health care is also a primary concern among members, he said.
Concerted efforts in coalition building and legislative action, combined with good planning, will set WEAC on the road to reform, he said. “Our plan must be a multi-year plan that escalates over time and does not ease up or waver until we have reached our goal – restored rights to collective bargaining and a fair funding mechanism for our schools.”
Costello holds a master’s degree from National-Louis University, Chicago, and a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.
He has two daughters, Leah, 18, who will attend the University of Miami this fall to study musical theater, and Lily, 13, who will be an 8th-grade student at South Milwaukee Middle School.
Posted August 1, 2007