Gene Lewis, ETFO Staff
Gene Lewis’ journey in education began with walking to and from a one-room school house in rural Ontario and ended working in the ETFO office in downtown Toronto. His teaching and union work began in Hamilton, continued in London (Thames Valley) and concluded in the role of General Secretary. He was always the union contact for his school and served in many capacities on local executives including president.
The formation of ETFO was a highlight in his career and a major benefit to all elementary teachers and education professionals in Ontario.
During his tenure as General Secretary, both the nature and complexity of issues facing educators, and by extension the Federation, grew exponentially. In its early years the groundwork was laid to build a new Federation that would become greater than the sum of its parts. Campaign 200, Accountability Yes: Recertification No, Building For Tomorrow, Close the Gap, strengthening the Defense Fund, the PA/PR Fund, OFL and CLC membership, focused collective bargaining, innovative professional growth programs, leadership in equity and social justice, advances for occasional teachers, membership for designated early childhood educators, the Humanitarian Fund, leading edge technology and building a new home are actions ETFO took to enhance the personal and professional lives of members. ETFO engaged members and became increasingly sophisticated in the use of political action, paid media and social media campaigns. The Federation distinguished itself as a principled voice for public education, and a strong collective bargaining agent for elementary educators.
Gene credits the strong and effective leadership in ETFO locals as a big factor in the achievements of the beginning years and the key to future success. He is very thankful to have worked with so many dedicated and caring provincial Executive members, each of whom brought a personal passion and commitment to the role.
Gene is particularly pleased to have worked with four provincial Presidents who shared a common desire to build a strong public education system for Ontario’s children and to build a strong union to promote and protect the welfare and rights of Ontario’s teachers and education professionals – Phyllis Benedict, Emily Noble, David Clegg and Sam Hammond, and expresses a debt of gratitude to each of them.
Gene believes that the many gains that have been achieved are the result of a strong effort by a dynamic and industrious support staff, a creative and dedicated management staff and an energetic and talented senior staff.
