Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1487796
OGEA leaders shared the following tips on organizing in your local association to create more equitable and inclusive school communities, whether through crafting a LGBTQ+ resolution or requesting awareness training: • If your local doesn't already have one, create an Equity and Human Rights Committee to help identify members who can contribute to the work. • Encourage educators to build bridges with school board members. • Ask "What needs do our students and staff have in this area?" • Encourage members to attend the CTA Equity & Human Rights Conference (March 17-19, 2023; see cta.org/conferences). • Continue to invite people to the conversation. • Once the resolution is passed/goal is achieved, the work isn't over — it continues. • Stride toward greater goals. " Visibility is key not just with kids, but with colleagues," says OGEA member Kristie Morikawa. "Change and progress is contagious and inevitable when we individually take the step to become allies for our students and colleagues." " Take note of the time and energy that it takes, but also how transformative it can be to open these pathways for yourself and generations of students and beyond," OGEA member Kirat Sachdev says. " The students are watching, and the reward of the safety and belonging that we've provided in just the short time of this implementation is far beyond the small amount of pushback we got initially." Have more questions or looking for specific information about doing LGBTQ+ equity work in your local association? Contact Maripaz Berlin at president@ogea.org or reach out to the CTA Human Rights Consultant in your region. welcome and know they belong," Berlin says. "For our educators, they have an association that sup- ports them and is looking for ways to improve the working environment." Crafting the resolution that ensures all students and educators are seen and valued in Oak Grove was meaning ful on many levels, says Kirat Sach- dev, OGEA Human Rights Committee member. "As a first generation, South Asian, queer woman of color, it was such a special, beautiful, humbling and healing experience to have been a co-author in this resolution," Sachdev says. "I felt that the reso- lution was a gesture and an ode to my inner child, my younger self and a reminder to the service that I commit to as an educator — to constantly leave the classroom, the space, the home, the park and the community better and more inclusive than I found it." e creation of the resolution was a true collab- oration with Oak Grove school board members Carla Hernandez and Jorge Pacheco, Jr., who are both educators and CTA members — East Side Teachers Association and Menlo Park Education Association, respectively. Berlin says educators are excited about the work and eager to continue pushing it forward to ensure that every student and educator knows they have a place in Oak Grove. "e fact that it came from this group of peo- ple and went through this process is meaning ful because we did this as a community," says Berlin. "We're trying to change the culture. It feels good to make that kind of impact." to Build Inclusive Schools Organizing 44 cta.org Social Justice Kristie Morikawa