AFT Vice President
Stewart is currently the president of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) following her election in June 2004. She became AFT vice president shortly thereafter and also serves as a vice president for the Chicago Federation of Labor, representing more than 300 unions in Chicago. Stewart serves on AFT’s Pre-K Teachers program and policy council, which determines the union’s position on educational issues. She is also a member of the benefits committee.

Ms. Stewart began her teaching career at the Illinois School for the Deaf in Jacksonville, Ill., where she spent a year teaching the deaf and hard of hearing. She spent the next 28 years with special education students in the Chicago Public Schools at Skinner, Spaulding and Kinzie Elementary Schools.

A Chicago Teachers Union member since 1976, Ms. Stewart has worked her way up to the top leadership position. She was first elected a member to the House of Delegates in 1982 and remained one until becoming president. She has served on the CTU Executive Board as an Elementary Vice President, District Supervisor and as a delegate for the Illinois Federation of Teachers, and American Federation of Teachers Conventions, and national and state QuEST Conferences.

Ms. Stewart has played an active role in the union as a CTU recommended Curriculum Writer, serving on a number of committees including the Special Education Elementary Steering Committee, Professional Problems Committee, and as a Local School Council member.

Other union-related and professional positions/activities: Her civic activities and achievements include serving on the Governors State University Counseling Advisory Board and volunteering as a church and community youth counselor. She was also a recipient of the Whirlwind Talented Teacher Award for Leadership. She is a member of the PreK-12 Teachers program and policy council and a member of the member benefits committee.

Ms. Stewart has a B.S. Special Education for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Illinois State University in Normal. Master of Arts in Counseling from Governors State University, Ill.