The PEF Training and Education Department is responsible for working with PEF’s elected leaders, members and staff to assess professional development needs and to make available opportunities and resources to enhance knowledge, skills and abilities around:

  • Understanding and representing PEF member’s contractual and legal rights
  • Leading and implementing the initiatives, policies and procedures adopted by the Union
  • Advocating to protect and enhance members’ rights and benefits
  • Enhancing job performance skills and career mobility; maintaining professional licensure and accreditation

Staff in PEF Training and Education partner with internal PEF resources, such as Field Services, Civil Service Enforcement and Contract Administration and with outside academic and topic area experts, including international unions and venders to develop and deliver training through conferences, classroom sessions, online and other media training modalities. The Department responds to requested training by designing programs tailored to the specific identified needs of the group or location to be trained. The training reflects real work life issues and scenarios experienced by PEF members on the job in New York State.

The Department also brokers educational opportunities available contractually through the various Articles and Agreements with the State of New York. Staff represent the Union’s training and educational needs at the Article 15 Professional Development Committee (PDC) meetings with the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations.

Providing supportive training and educational services to PEF membership, elected leaders, and staff is critical to developing and maintaining an informed, actively engaged Union that is both powerful and influential.

“The end of all education should surely be service to others.”

– Cesar E. Chavez

Training and Education Staff:

Training Specialists

Tammy Carney began her career with PEF in 2005.  Tammy received her B.S. in Education from the College of Saint Rose in Albany.  As a Training Specialist, Tammy creates engaging curriculum and training programs for PEF members from the beginning of the curriculum, conducts the training workshop itself, and then seeks feedback through the evaluation process.  In addition to in person training, she creates online training programs, which can be found here on the PEF website. Tammy earned a Master Trainer Certificate from the Rutgers School of Social Work and is certified to teach MBTI.

Janna Herchenroder began her career with PEF in 2025 after working as a PEF-represented Training Specialist with New York State agencies for eight years. Janna received her B.A. in English from Le Moyne College in Syracuse. She is a certified trainer for multiple trainings offered by the New York State Office of Employee Relations, including Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace, New Supervisor: Making the Transition, Planning Performance and Giving Feedback, and Navigating Transitions in the Workplace. Janna manages Article 15 programs and assisting members with PEF tuition reimbursement and Public Service Workshops Program offerings.

AFT Share My Lesson

Attention PEF teachers! One of our parent unions, the American Federation of Teachers, has an amazing online resource you can use.  Just head to www.sharemylesson.com and click on the “AFT Members” tab in the top menu. You’ll find lesson plans, tips on how to navigate distance learning and engage remote students, even webinars you can watch to earn CTLE credits. Most of the content is free, but some of the credit courses carry a minimal fee. Check the site often because AFT updates it with new resources as the educational landscape changes during the pandemic.​