Toni Clover, Labor Relations Administrator

Toni Clover has served as a Labor Relations Administrator since October 2003. Prior to
coming to the Detroit Federation of Teachers, Toni taught first grade and special education
 for several years and served as a local Building Representative.

A graduate of the Detroit Public Schools system, Toni received her BA in Special Education-Emotionally Impaired from Michigan State University. She earned a Learning Disability endorsement from Marygrove College and a Masters of Science in Education with a
specialization in Educational Leadership from Walden University.

Her words of encouragement for DFT members are: “Teach one, reach one.  You never
know how far your influence will reach.”

Patrick Falcusan , Financial Analyst
 

Patrick Falcusan has been the Detroit Federation of Teachers’ Financial Analyst since
1994.  Before coming to the DFT, Patrick taught visually impaired students in Detroit for
25 years.  He says the work year is what initially attracted him to the teaching profession
but over the years working with students and helping them set and reach goals became
the job’s biggest payoff.
 

Patrick’s most rewarding accomplishment since coming to the DFT has been convincing
almost 3,000 teachers to enhance their pensions by buying extra years of service time,
resulting in an estimated $600 million in additional retirement income.
 

Patrick is a resident of Farmington Hills.  He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees

at Wayne State University and the University of Detroit and like several of his colleagues at

the DFT, he comes from a family with a long history of union involvement.
 

Patrick’s advice to DFT members is: “Whatever the problem, no matter how long it takes,
we will work with you to resolve it.”

Terrence Martin, Labor Relations Administrator
 

Terrence Martin is a Labor Relations Administrator and has been with the DFT since
November 2003.  Before coming to the DFT Terrence taught 2^nd and 5^th grade at
Lynch Elementary School for six years.
 

As the DFT’s medical appeals specialist, Terrence is responsible for determining – through mediation with a neutral physician – when a teacher on medical leave is able to return to work. 
 He feels that being able to exert influence through the mediation appeals process has been
one of his biggest accomplishments since coming to the DFT.
 

Terrence’s decision to become a teacher came out of a desire to be a positive influence on
young Detroiters.  He believes that no matter what your environmental circumstances are,
everyone is capable of setting and achieving goals.  He wanted to become a Labor Relations Administrator because he knew it would put him in a better position to carry out the wishes of
DFT members.
 

Terrence lives in Detroit and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at
St. Francis College of Pennsylvania outside Pittsburgh.  He received his master's degree
in 2003 from Marygrove College.  He is also a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.
 

“If I could offer advice to any of our members I would tell them to hold the profession of teaching
in the highest esteem,” said Terrence.  “A lot of people think they can teach but teaching is a
 gift and not everybody can do it.  Teachers need to be aware of that and exude pride in that
fact, all the time.”

Mershira Oliver, Labor Relations Administrator

Mershira Oliver has been a Labor Relations Administrator for the Detroit Federation
of Teachers since the start of the 2000-2001 school year.  Before coming to the DFT 
Mershira was a teacher at Winship Middle School where she was active as a
cheerleading coach, served on the School Union Committee and worked on
the school improvement team.

Mershira attended Alabama A&M University, where she received a bachelor’s degree
in special education learning disabilities.  After returning home to teach, she went on
to earn her master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Detroit-Mercy.
Since coming to the DFT Mershira has completed several labor studies courses at
Wayne State University.  She has also attended the George Meany Center for Labor Studies
at the National Labor College in Maryland.

Mershira is a resident of Detroit and is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 
She is also a member of the Order of Eastern Stars, the Sigma Tau Epsilon
Professional Fraternity, and was named in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers,
 (Fifth Ed., 1998).

Mershira encourages DFT members to: “Keep good documentation including transcripts,
pay stubs, certification and any correspondence between you and the district.  Above all,
stay focused and know that the DFT is here for you when you need us.”

Judy K. Smith  Labor Relations Administrator
 

Judy K. Smith  has been employed with the Detroit Public School System for 27 years. 
She joined the Detroit Federation of Teachers staff in January of 2005.  Judy earned
both bachelor's and masters degrees at the University of Michigan as anyone will
recognize if they visit her office.  Judy is a graduate of the Detroit Public School System.

Judy has been active with the Union for many years.  She was an Executive Board member
before becoming a Labor Relations Administrator.  Judy was on the Union Committee
at her school, moving up to Alternate and eventually Building Representative. She was
also active with COPE and was a delegate to QuEST conferences and conventions for both
 the AFT and MFT (now AFT Michigan).  Judy also worked on the DFT phone banks,
worked as a Parade Marshal at the Labor Day Parade and served on the Student Code of Conduct Committee for the Union.

Judy enjoys helping members resolve their problems, especially when members finally
receive what is due them, be it pay, sick bank restoration or some other resolution.  "My satisfaction comes from helping members resolve their problems. It makes me feel as great
as they do"

Karin A. Whittler Labor Relations Administrator

Karin Ann Whittler has worked in the Detroit Public Schools system since 1984.  Listed
in "Who's Who Among American Teachers," she received her BA from Michigan State
University, her MS from Cambridge College and her Secondary Certification from
Eastern Michigan University.

Karin became a Labor Relations Administrator in 2006. Before joining the DFT staff, she
 worked as a District Instructional Specialist in the Office of Literacy, a Building Instructional Specialist ELA and a reading and English teacher. She also was involved in a number of extracurricular activities where she directed student choirs at Joy and Barbour middle
schools, served on the School Improvement Committee and coordinated social and
academic activities for students.

Karin has a long history of service to the DFT. She was a Building Rep, School Union
Committee member and COPE volunteer. She also was a delegate to the QuEST
Conference, the AFL-CIO Convention and the AFT National Convention. Karin
appreciates the opportunity to provide courteous and professional service to DFT
members.  Her motto is: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."  Karin
believes that "when you need assistance, you want to feel that someone cares enough
about your situation to help."