AFSA Announces Retirement of National President Dr. Joe L. Greene

Segregated Upbringing Inspired Lifetime Fighting For Civil, Education Rights, Marched With Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

WASHINGTON & DETROIT--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 10, 2003--The American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA), AFL-CIO, the only national labor union for public school principals, assistant principals, administrators, and supervisors announced today its National President Dr. Joe L. Greene will not seek re-election when his term expires July 25, 2003.

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President Greene has served at the helm of AFSA for 12 years, longer than any prior national president. He was elected AFSA's first African-American president in 1991 and re-elected every three years thereafter. In 1991, he established the union's headquarters in Washington, D.C. with a staff of one -- himself. He built the union by establishing the departments of organizing, public affairs, legislation, and political action. Under his direction, AFSA membership has increased 60 percent since 1991. As a result of these and other achievements, AFSA has been invited to many tables to participate in shaping education policy: the Clinton White House, Congress, the mass media, national coalitions, and the AFL-CIO. Today AFSA is a viable, national voice on education issues and an effective advocate for quality public school education.

"We have met our challenges head on, and truly made a positive difference in the quality of public education for our students," President Greene said in a statement to AFSA members. "I have been honored to serve as your president. I also feel the time is right for a new leader to lift AFSA to even greater heights."

A former high school principal and mathematics teacher in Detroit for many years, President Greene is keenly aware of the issues and challenges facing educators in providing a quality education to America's youth as they strive to close the achievement gap between wealthy and poor students. He earned his Doctorate in Public School Administration and Supervision from the University of Michigan; his Master of Arts degree in Math Education from the University of Detroit; and his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Mississippi Valley State College.

It was the beginnings of his life that were to shape the rest of it. Growing up poor and African-American in deep south Mississippi in the 1940's and '50's, he attended segregated schools. He met a dedicated teacher who took him under his wing and encouraged his interest in mathematics, for which he had demonstrated aptitude. When he arrived at high school (still segregated), he studied advanced mathematics and the sciences. He met another outstanding mathematics teacher who raised achievement expectations much higher, and encouraged him to go to college to pursue a degree in mathematics. Despite the odds, that was just what he did. When he returned home after graduating college with a mathematics degree, he was shocked to learn he could not vote because of his skin color. He marched with civil rights activists that included Martin Luther King, Jr. to protest this injustice. There were many more marches to come. His work fighting for civil rights continued throughout his life.

"Discrimination didn't make me hate people," President Greene explained. "It made me more open to change, more open to help people less fortunate than myself through education."

President Greene is also an Executive Council Member of the AFL-CIO and a trustee of the George Meany Center for Labor Studies. His outstanding work as an education leader has led to his receiving several awards including the Excellence in Education proclamation from the State of Michigan (June 1987); the Focus Impact on Education award from Oakland University (February 1987); and two awards for Outstanding Work in the Field of Education from the Detroit, Michigan City Council, and Mayor of the City of Detroit (June 1987 and October 1991 respectively).

He has been featured in the national and local media for his education and labor achievements including the nationally PBS-syndicated public affairs program "This is America with Dennis Wholey," and articles by The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, and Time magazine. He is a popular speaker and travels around the country to address diverse organizations about education and labor issues.

Previously, he served as Treasurer of AFSA, President of the Organization of School Administrators and Supervisors (OSAS) of Detroit, Michigan; and President of the Michigan Federation of School Administrators. He also was an educational consultant to the St. Louis Public Schools, the Ohio State Department of Education, and the American Federation of Teachers.

A new national president will be elected at AFSA's Tenth Triennial Constitutional Convention, July 23-26, 2003 in Las Vegas. At that time, delegates from AFSA local unions from around the United States and U.S. Virgin Islands will gather to elect national officers as well as chart the union's course, priorities, and positions on education issues that will direct the union's actions for the next three years. President Greene will preside over the convention and hand over the reins to the president-elect.

"I am confident that the AFSA delegates and officers of the Tenth Triennial Constitutional Convention will elect a leader with the vision to lead AFSA and its great members," President Greene added. "As to what the future holds for me, that is yet to be determined. But I know it will be meaningful and exciting, and I look forward to the next chapter of my life."

He resides in the Washington, D.C. area and Detroit, Michigan with his wife Alva. They have two children, Leatrice and Joseph, and a granddaughter, Breanna.

AFSA works for quality public school education. For more than 25 years, AFSA continues to provide labor, legislative, professional, occupational, and leadership services to nearly 20,000 principals, assistant principals, administrators and supervisors throughout the United States and U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information, see www.admin.org.

Note to the media: for interview requests, please contact Diane King at 301-528-6667; 240-988-9098.