English teacher in Queens

Kevin Prosen is a 13th year Middle School English teacher who has worked his entire career in Jackson Heights, Queens. 

He was a chapter leader for six years, and in that capacity rebuilt a union chapter through aggressively fighting back against an abusive administrator, organizing mass grievance campaigns and other actions to build solidarity in the building.  He is now serving his second term as UFT delegate and has been active in organizing for safe working conditions for teachers and learning conditions for students. 

IS 230 was ahead of the curve in waging a militant fightback against unsafe reopening, refusing to re-enter the building after the city failed to follow through on contract tracing in 2020, an action that spurred several other similar actions in the district.  He is a passionate fighter for public education and for better working conditions and more autonomy for teachers. 

He is also an organizing trainer for the non-profit organization Labor Notes, and in that capacity has facilitated organizer trainings for hundreds of teachers and other workers in New York, Virginia, West Virginia, and Ontario.  He is a founding member of the Movement of Rank and File Educators.