VP for Career and Technical Education High Schools

Leo Gordon is the UFT vice president for career and technical education. Elected by the union's Executive Board in October 2021, Leo brings to this role more than 26 years of career and technical education teaching and coaching experience.

Leo's initial immersion in the CTE world began as a student. His passion for the graphic arts led him to the Success Via Apprenticeship (SVA) program, the joint UFT-Department of Education CTE teacher training program. He has taught in three boroughs; at the HS of Art and Design in Manhattan, at Bushwick HS in Brooklyn, and at Ralph R. McKee and Tottenville high schools on Staten Island. At McKee, he was the lead teacher of graphic arts and design and maintained a $1,000,000 live production classroom space.

Leo's teaching experience includes instruction in information technology, graphic design, media design, art and architectural drafting. In 2016, he joined the UFT Teacher Center as an instructional coach, specializing in career and technical education and instructional technology. He has supported several New York City high schools in creating state-approved CTE programs based on industry trends. Leo also helped launch the CTE middle school pilot program in five different schools in several boroughs. These programs align classroom instruction to industry standards to ensure New York City students are college- and career-ready.

A sought-after professional, Leo is known for coordinating citywide CTE events, professional development programs and conferences. He has served as the local director for the distinguished American Federation of Teachers Teacher Leader program, in which educators across the country learn to develop and advocate for education policy to improve teaching practice and the profession.

Over the years, Leo has supported the city's Office of Adult Education, serving as a teacher of computer information and guiding curriculum development for adults with minimal technology skills.

Leo majored in career and technical education at New York City College of Technology in Brooklyn, with a minor in advertising and commercial art.

He has been married for more than 20 years and lives with his wife, Vindhia, in New Jersey. They have two college-age daughters: Nhya, 20, who is studying civil engineering, and Jaida, 19, who is studying architecture.