May 13’s Palo Alto Unified School District board meeting brought not only business, but melancholy and gratitude as well.
“Serving as the Palo Alto Education Association’s president for the last 13 years has truly been an honor,” Teri Baldwin, the president of the PAEA, said as she stepped in front of the podium. “I’m deeply grateful to our educators for entrusting me with that responsibility. Their dedication to public education and to each other has been the heart of my work and the source of my daily inspiration. I leave this role proud of what we built together, and confident in the path ahead.”
Baldwin is set to step down from the role, which she has held since 2012, in June.
The PAEA is the collective bargaining unit for all educators and counselors employed by PAUSD, and serves as a means to advocate for the rights of its members.
Baldwin began her teaching career in Connecticut, where she became committed to union advocacy.
“I recall a moment when the district [in Connecticut] expected teachers to attend an unpaid Professional Development Day,” Baldwin stated in an email to Verde. “There was pressure to comply, and we were told by the superintendent that … we would be unprofessional if we didn’t attend. Our union organized collectively, and all members stood in solidarity by not attending. That experience was a turning point for me — it showed me the power of educator voices united for fairness.”
Since then, Baldwin has served in many capacities in the PAEA: site representative, bargaining member, vice president and, most recently, president.
In her almost three decades serving the PAEA, Baldwin has played an instrumental role in many of the union’s accomplishments. What she feels is one of her greatest accomplishments is also one of the least mentioned — member engagement.
“When I first became president, many educators didn’t know who their union leaders were, and several sites had vacant representative positions,” Baldwin stated. “Today, we hold elections because there is more interest than there are positions; members are actively engaged and eager to represent their colleagues.”

Baldwin also stated that last year’s salary negotiation was one of her proudest moments, where the PAEA rallied for salary increases to combat the high cost of living in the Bay Area.
“Achieving meaningful salary increases and restructuring the salary schedule over the years has been vital in honoring our members’ work and expertise,” Baldwin stated.
However, Baldwin’s tenure on the PAEA has not been without challenges, one of which has been the perception of the union for both members and the public.
“We [PAEA] operate as a democratic body, not a top-down organization,” Baldwin stated. “Our Representative Council is composed of site-elected members who gather input and help guide union decisions. It has taken time and effort to consistently communicate and reinforce this idea of shared ownership and participatory leadership.”
Although her time as PAEA president is coming to an end, Baldwin isn’t completely retiring as she will assume a position as a librarian at Fletcher Middle School.
“I decided to embrace this new chapter and step down to return to working directly with students in a role I’m genuinely excited about,” Baldwin stated.
Baldwin’s time leading the PAEA has profoundly changed her life, professionally and personally. According to Baldwin, she was able to more deeply understand the union’s contract and advocacy for union members. But her biggest advancement was in her own leadership style.

“I’ve learned that true leadership means listening to our members, amplifying their voices and centering their needs in every decision,” Baldwin said. “Serving as president has helped me recognize my own resilience and capacity for navigating both praise and criticism. Representing over 800 educators has been a tremendous responsibility – one that has taught me to lead with empathy, clarity and strength.”
Tom Culbertson, a fourth grade teacher and vice president of the PAEA for the past year, is set to take over the role upon Baldwin’s retirement. Baldwin stated in the email that she believes that the PAEA will continue to thrive under his leadership.
“I have full confidence in … Tom Culbertson,” Baldwin stated. “I’m excited to see how he brings his own vision and leadership to the role. I believe PAEA will continue to grow in strength, solidarity and effectiveness under his guidance.”
Baldwin stated that she is thankful for all of the members of the union and their support of her.
“It has truly been an honor to serve as PAEA president for seven terms,” Baldwin stated. “Their [educators’] support, dedication and commitment to public education have inspired me every day. I leave this role proud of what we’ve accomplished together and confident in the union’s continued strength and future.”