Sonia Basko

Sonia Basko , 43, of Cohoes, formerly of Rochester, passed away Dec. 29 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Rochester, N.Y., the daughter of Kazimiera (Kathy) and Jorge Basko.

A beloved daughter, sister, and aunt, Sonia was an exemplary teacher and union leader whose passionate activism helped strengthen and advance the labor movement at the local, state and national levels. Her infectious smile and enthusiasm inspired her students and the members she served as a former president of the Penfield Education Association and statewide labor activist.

Her 18-year career in education encompassed classroom teacher, adjunct professor and literacy consultant. She worked tirelessly to promote statewide literacy and was an innovator in district level literacy strategic planning.
Sonia earned a bachelor's degree in education and teaching certification at St. John Fisher College, Rochester; and a master's degree in Systems Management Development at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. After teaching at Chesapeake High School in Pasadena, Maryland, Sonia joined the staff of Penfield High School as an English teacher, where she was recognized as a passionate and gifted educator with cutting-edge expertise in technology. Sonia also served as an adjunct professor at Niagara University and at Finger Lakes and Monroe Community colleges.
Sonia was an early adopter of new communications technologies and used them to advance classroom learning for her students and union activism for her members.

She was dedicated to social justice causes and to the labor movement. As president of the Penfield Education Association, Sonia headed a team of leaders selected for NYSUT's Local Action Project. She served as at-large director for New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) and as an officer of the Monroe County Federation of Teachers. A graduate of NYSUT and AFL-CIO leadership institutes, Sonia was a key strategist in the union's member engagement campaigns.

In 2014 Sonia joined NYSUT's staff as special projects coordinator, where she worked directly for NYSUT officers on social justice and philanthropic initiatives. She organized Picket in the Pines, NYSUT's first statewide rally in the North Country, and the union's Fair Trade outreach. Sonia was staff liaison to the NYSUT Civil and Human Rights Committee and was instrumental in creating campaigns on behalf of immigrant students and a "Start the Conversation" campaign addressing racial equality. She also was staff liaison for NYSUT's flagship sponsorship of American Cancer Society's Making Strides Campaign, for which NYSUT volunteers raised approximately $1 million this year alone.
Sonia was a member of the NYSUT Women's Steering Committee and the national Coalition for Labor Union Women. She worked with the American Federation of Teachers to build and direct a network of social media activists.

She is survived by her treasured mother, Kazimiera (Kathy) Basko; beloved sisters Alexandra Basko and Michelle Hayes; nieces Kayla Hayes and Emily Garcia; Grandmother Helena Basko; Great Aunt Emilia Czyryca; Aunt Wanda and Uncle Steve Baka; Aunt Krystyna and Uncle Steve Skuza; many cousins; and extended family in Poland. She was predeceased by her beloved father, Jorge Basko and Uncle Joe Goly.

Services will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at Calvary Chapel Westside, 2407 South Union Street, Spencerport, NY 14559.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Camp Good Days and Special Times, Inc. in honor of Sonia's lifelong participation in and support of the camp: Camp Good Days and Special Times, Inc., 1332 Pittsford-Mendon Road, Mendon, NY 14506.