Lynn TU leader Gunning to retire

LYNN – After 37 years working in the Lynn Public School system, Alice Gunning decided it is time to see what else life has in store.Gunning worked for 28 years as a classroom teacher and spent nine years as the president of Lynn Teachers Union Local 1037. Effective today, she is re-tiring from her teacher’s position and, effective Aug. 31, she will retire from the union.”I taught first grade for most of my teaching career and I loved it,” she said. “I liked working very much in the union office and hopefully I did a good job but I think it is time to retire. I think there are some other things to do in life and it is time to try them.”Gunning plans to remain involved by helping incoming president Brant Duncan, who she said is “totally capable of taking on the job.” She said there are some matters which she may help him with, but he will be the union’s official head effective Sept. 1.”I am going to stay involved with the new president coming in for a few hours a week for the next year to mentor him a bit,” Gunning said. “Brant Duncan has been first vice-president and I think he will do a superb job. I think he is compassionate towards people, he can listen, he has the energy and will be an excellent president. I will certainly give him all the support he needs or wants.”Two years after Gunning began teaching, the union went on strike, which spurred her to get involved. She began by volunteering as a building representative and then became chair of the grievance and negotiating committees and later first vice-president before taking on the president position.”I wanted to keep equity for teachers, good working conditions for teachers,” Gunning said. “We can have good working conditions for teachers and provide excellent instruction for children. They should go hand in hand.”She said the highlight of her career was having the chance to work with the children.”I love working with first- graders because they came in and a lot of times they didn’t have any reading or writing skills,” Gunning said. “You could see them leaving at the end of the year reading and writing. In the first grade you see a tremendous amount of growth. I really enjoyed working with the kids.”Now, she said she is looking forward to relaxing, traveling and spending time with her 92-year-old father who she said “could use a little extra time too.””I have thoroughly enjoyed my 37 years in the Lynn Public Schools and I have enjoyed working with the many teachers and administrators I have worked for,” Gunning said. “I am thankful for all the people I have met through the job. I have made many friends and hope to keep them.”