Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/10151
other young adults, and as a union activist. He has participat- ed in marches and boycotts, helped organize the teacher hun- ger strike in Los Angeles against layoffs last spring, and has worked to increase the scholarships for undocumented high school stu- dents who wish to attend college. CTAPEACE AND JUSTICEHUMAN RIGHTS AWARD: Andy Griggs, a United Teachers Los Angeles member, is an activist for peace and justice at the local and na- tional level. To inspire youth involvement, he has designed curriculum around this sub- ject. Using the International Declaration of Human Rights as a guide, he has taught fourth- and fifth-graders to develop their own Students’ Bill of Rights. He has worked with the Coalition for World Peace, U.S. Labor Against the War, and the UTLA Human Rights Committee. As the nation- al chair of the NEA Peace and Jus- tice Caucus, co-founder of the American Federation of Teachers Peace and Justice Caucus, and chair and co-chair of CTA’s Peace and Justice Caucus, he has tack- led issues ranging from immigra- tion to environmental policy and international relations. PHYSICALLY/MENTALLY CHAL- LENGED STUDENTS’ ISSUES HUMAN RIGHTSAWARD: Jill Brabson of the New Haven Teachers Association is a role model for the staff at Delaine Eastin Elementary. Her perseverance, knowledge and pa- tience make her an outstanding educator not only for the special education students in her case- load, but for all the children of her school. She started her career as a special education aide, and after two years decided to become a teacher. Her efforts to eliminate discrimination against individu- als with disabilities include visits to mainstream classes and spon- soring a club that encourages students to buddy with a special education student. LOIS TINSON HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD: Simone Zulu, chief nego- tiator for the Palmdale Elementary Teachers Association (PETA), strongly advocates for the rights of her association members. She has been instrumental in organizing PETAmembers and the commu- nity to become vigilant defenders of public education. She has worked with her association on an outreach project called “Night on the Square,” where members talk to parents and community mem- bers and give away school supplies to students. She serves as treasurer of CTA’s African American Cau- cus, and shares information about African and African American history and culture at many con- ferences. As an exemplary teacher, member and leader, she is a men- tor to many. PACIFICASIANAMERICANHUMAN RIGHTS AWARD: Dixie Johansen, a member of the Ravenswood Dis- trict Teachers Association, chairs the CTA Pacific Asian American Caucus and the NEA Asian Pacif- ic Islander Caucus. She has worked tirelessly to encourage member in- volvement in CTA, particularly in leadership positions, and serves as a strong voice for Asian and Pacif- ic Islander teachers, students and community members. WOMEN’SISSUESHUMANRIGHTS AWARD: Sandra Fink of the Bay Valley Service Center Council was featured in some of CTA’s television ads in 2005 that fought attacks on public education and persuaded voters to make good decisions. She advocates for women’s rights and educates oth- ers about strong women who have changed history, women who struggle to gain respect, women who have no voice, and women who have been ravaged by gender-specific diseases. SHERRY POSNICK-GOODWIN Credential, Certificate and Professional Development Programs at Your Fingertips! Online Classes Available! Accessible and Affordable Online Programs for K-12 and Postsecondary Educators New Courses Beginning Every Month— Most Programs can be Completed in Under One Year Interactive, Research-Based Programs with Practical Classroom Application Programs include: • California Clear Credential (Ryan and SB 2042) • CLAD Through CTEL • CCTC-Approved Reading Certificate • Career and Technical Education (CTE) • College Counseling • Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) • Teaching Adult Learners • Teaching Online • Professional Development/Salary Point Coursework For more information about online programming available at UC San Diego Extension, please contact Morgan Appel, Director of Education at: (858) 964-1064 or mappel@ucsd.edu or visit: extension.ucsd.edu/education APRIL 2010 | www.cta.org 25 FA09-2032