Kathy Setlak was elected president in 2005. She previously served as vice-president of political activities and had held that position since the inception of AFT Local 943 as a federated local. In 2003 she retired from Oak Lawn-Hometown District 123 where her career as a union leader began as a building representative. She was elected council treasurer and later president with the responsibility of being chief negotiator for both teacher and support staff contracts. Kathy began her teaching career as an intermediate grade teacher and was a library media specialist for several years.

Karen Kendall, Orland Park District 135 PSRP vice-president, was appointed to the Local 943 Executive Board in 2003. In September 2008, the Local 943 senate voted to have her complete the unexpired term of vice president of political action.  Karen is the head bookkeeper in District 135. Karen has participated in contract negotiations as a member of several bargaining teams and is currently a member of the IFT PSRP committee.

Mary Stockwell, vice president of educational and professional issues, was elected in 2003 and also serves as council treasurer in Ridgeland School District 122.  She teaches at Simmons Middle School in Ridgeland District 122.  Mary has been involved in the AFT ER&D program almost since its inception and currently serves as the Local 943 Coordinator. She has received extensive training from the AFT and IFT. She does an outstanding presentation on classroom management at our annual New Teacher Workshop.

Bob Goldsbury, vice president — communications and public relations since 1985, is an intermediate learning disabilities resource teacher in Alsip District 126. He has held the positions of treasurer, vice-president, and negotiator. In addition to his Local 943 responsibilities, Bob is currently a building representative.

Dawn Stanovich has been the secretary of Local 943 since 1994. She is the past-president of Ridgeland District 122 Council which includes teachers, para-professionals and most recently, custodians. Dawn began her career as a fourth grade teacher and then moved to the media center. She also served as the technology coordinator for District 122.

As treasurer, Sue Mirabella also chairs the Defense Committee. She is a past member of the IFT Women's Rights Committee and is currently on the IFT Special Education Task Force. Sue has received national training as part of the AFT Special Education Cadre. She has presented workshops for union members at the local, state and regional level on special education issues.
Before she retired, Sue was the president of the Orland Council of Educators, Orland Park District 135, negotiating contracts for both teachers and support staff. Sue was also a Local 943 member when she taught at the Southwest Cook County Cooperative Association for Special Education. While employed there, she also served as president. Sue worked as a speech/language pathologist in Orland and the Coop before she retired. After being home for a semester, she returned to a part-time position in Lincoln Way Cooperative as a speech/language pathologist.

Sue Mirabella
Treasurer

Donna Rehm, an Illinois and Nationally Certified School Nurse, was appointed to the Local 943 Executive Board in 2007. She is employed by Orland School District 135 and has participated in contract negotiations as a bargaining team member. Donna has also served as a senator to Local 943 for the past three years and is currently a member of the AFT School Nurse Subcommittee.

Karen Delestowicz is one of two Illinois representatives on the AFT Women's Rights Committee.  She was nominated for this position during the 2004 AFT Convention in Washington D.C.  Through this committee, Karen has the opportunity to meet with AFT members from around the country at various meetings and conferences.  Committee members discuss and brainstorm about issues dealing with women's rights, and how these issues affect the educational community.  Karen has been the Council President for Sahs 110 since 2002, and has served on two negotiating teams.  She is a fourth grade teacher at Charles J. Sahs School in Central Stickney.

  AFT Local 943
  15521 South 70th Court
  Orland Park, Illinois 60462
  (708) 633-0943
  (708) 633-0944 (Fax)

  Kathy Setlak, president

  IFT Field Staff