New teachers’ union president’s experience good news for Minnesota students
This column originally appeared in a number of APG of East Central Minnesota Newspapers during April, 2026. The papers included the APG Statewide News, Aitkin Independent Age, Dakota Country Tribune, Faribault Daily News, Forest Lake Times, Mille Lacs Messenger, Monticello Times, Press & News, Sun Current, Sun Post, Sun Sailor, SunThisWeek Sun Patriot, County News Review, and Union Times,
New teachers’ union president’s experience good news for Minnesota students
Monica Byron, a 24-year veteran in Minnesota public schools, told me several things I did not expect to hear from a new statewide teachers’ union president. This included her recollections of elementary school, shared earlier this month.
Byron recalled being both bullied and bored in a Minnesota public elementary school. One of the few African-American students in her school, she recalled being harassed by other students “more than once.”
Monica Byron (Photo courtesy of Education Minnesota)
Despite this, she did well in many subjects, including math. She remembers being assigned a desk in the back of the class and being given worksheets because she was ahead of the rest of the class. The worksheets covered things she already had mastered.
Khalique Rogers, a friend and colleague, experienced the same non-challenging worksheets when he was also ahead of many of his fellow high school students. Like Byron, Rogers was looking for more. Both ended up taking PSEO courses during their high school years.
Byron’s daughter also had some challenges in public school – learning to process information. Byron was a strong advocate for her daughter, who graduated and is now a fashion designer, “doing what she loves.” Her son, a graduate of Bloomington Kennedy High School, is taking courses at North Hennepin Community College, studying to be a police officer.
Byron did not initially aspire to be a teacher. She thought about medical school. But “once I walked into a school as an adult and worked with some young people, I knew this was the place for me.”
She found that building relationships with youngsters and their families was vital. “You have to understand the youngsters’ experience outside of school. When students feel that you care about them, they will be there for you.”
Sometimes, other teachers referred youngsters with behavior problems to her. She found ways to help them succeed. She’s delighted that three of these “special little cherubs” became teachers.
Byron became involved in a union because of her mother and grandfather. Both were active in unions and convinced her that unions protected employees. “They took me to union events,” she recalls.
Byron became a teacher in the Richfield Public Schools, and later a coach helping other educators teach math. “I didn’t expect to be a union leader. But some people encouraged me to try it.”
Her top priority for Minnesota teachers right now is to help create a statewide health insurance program. “In some districts, the medical coverage offered to teachers is very expensive and not very comprehensive. We think a statewide plan could ensure each teacher has access to a strong, reasonably-priced health insurance program, which they deserve.”
Byron’s broad experiences as a student, parent, and educator give her valuable insights. She understands the importance of listening to and learning from young people, families, and educators.
Over the next several years, she hopes that every student will have the support and resources needed to succeed. Her passion is “for every student to find their pathway in life, recognizing that there are many different routes.”
That’s something every family wants for their youngsters.
Joe Nathan, Ph.D., spent 30+ years as a Minnesota public school and university educator, as well as serving as a researcher and local PTA president. Reactions welcome, joe@centerforschoolchange.org