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After 26 years at the helm of New Mexico鈥檚 largest public sector labor union, Ellen Bernstein is retiring.

Her 44-year career in public education, including 17 years as a teacher at sa国际传媒官网网页入口 Public Schools, will conclude this summer, Bernstein announced to sa国际传媒官网网页入口 Teachers Federation (ATF) members last week.

鈥淚t鈥檚 conflicting,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 believe that it鈥檚 the right time to move into a different part of my life, but I am incredibly engaged and enthusiastic about the work still.鈥�

ATF represents some 4,300 staff members at APS, the state鈥檚 largest school district, Bernstein said. ATF was chartered in 1962 as the local chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, which represents 1.8 million educators and school staff members nationwide.

Bernstein, an sa国际传媒官网网页入口 native and an APS alum, said she decided to become a teacher as a fourth grader at Bellehaven Elementary School in the Northeast Heights.

鈥淚 never changed my mind,鈥� she said in a letter to ATF members.

In 1983, she was hired by her former principal at Bellehaven to teach third grade at Carlos Rey Elementary School. After 15 years as a union representative and teacher at Mary Ann Binford Elementary School, she became secretary of ATF, then union vice president for 10 years.

鈥淏eing a classroom teacher was my primary motivation for all that I have tried to accomplish as a union leader,鈥� she wrote.

Bernstein stopped teaching in 1999 to dedicate her time to union organizing.

鈥淢y first and last love is teaching children. I left my classroom at the height of my engagement in teaching,鈥� she wrote. 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 tired. I wasn鈥檛 鈥榙one.鈥� I left the classroom at that point because I was needed.鈥�

Through organizing, Bernstein said she learned about connection.

鈥淲e focus on bread-and-butter issues like working conditions and raises. That's really important, but it's not the only thing we focus on,鈥� she told the Journal. 鈥淲e focus deeply on the ability to do our jobs well, to have the best and professional standards for ourselves and for the district. I would say always making sure that we're advancing the profession in both ways has probably been what I'm most proud of.鈥�

APS Superintendent Gabriella Dur谩n Blakey told the Journal she wished Bernstein a fulfilling retirement.

鈥淒r. Bernstein has been a staunch advocate for sa国际传媒官网网页入口 teachers for more than 25 years, and they have been fortunate to have her in their corner,鈥� Blakey said in a statement. 鈥淚 have always respected her strong leadership and her laser focus on those she represented.鈥�

Bernstein is a graduate of Manzano High School and the holder of three degrees from the University of New Mexico, including a doctorate in educational leadership. Her doctoral thesis was on unions.

鈥淐hange happens when people impose it, and change happens when people organize for it,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen you believe with other people that change is necessary, you have to gather together to make it happen, because otherwise it doesn鈥檛.鈥�

Bernstein will complete her term June 30. She will be replaced by Sarah Hager, ATF鈥檚 vice president of membership, who ran uncontested.

鈥淚 am not leaving because I lack the energy and passion to continue,鈥� she wrote, 鈥渂ut because it鈥檚 time.鈥�

Natalie Robbins covers education for the Journal. You can reach her at nrobbins@abqjournal.com.