TEU farewells Doctor Joce Jesson.

Te Hautū Kahurangi | Tertiary Education Union mourns the passing of long-serving life member Doctor Joce Jesson.

Dr Jesson, a senior academic at the Auckland College of Education and then the University of Auckland until her retirement in 2008, was union through and through. She was ever an active leader of her union throughout her career in education – starting with the Post Primary Teachers Association, through to the Teachers College Association, the Association of Staff in Tertiary Education, and finally the TEU.

Former TEU and ASTE Te Pou Ahurei | National Secretary Sharn Riggs remembers Joce as a feisty unionist, feminist, and educationalist – “and she really was all three of those things.”

“Dr Jesson was a leading light in teacher education, the union movement and for me. Her leadership, wisdom (sometimes slightly left of field but always insightful), and friendship were invaluable from the TCA merger with ASTE, to my early days as National Secretary and beyond when she played an active role in the union at a branch and national level.”

“Being a good teacher was a calling for Joce, and she was very passionate about protecting and enhancing teaching as a profession. Back then there was a different, more democratic relationship between the union and employer and as a Branch President Joce was at the decision making table laying the ground for much of what happened in teacher education throughout those years.”

“She was always active, always willing to challenge the powerful when needed and always particularly keen to ensure young people were brought on board and heard.”

“Dr Jesson will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.”