Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1515721
as a union leader and as an elected official, Normand has remained laser-focused on supporting the well-being of students — especially those who are most vulnerable. "My Marine Corps training taught me that there is no higher calling than to give back to our communities," says Normand, a member of Brentwood Teachers Association. "I am committed to ensuring that schools serve the whole needs of students, with safe and supportive classrooms and school campuses. is is more than a goal; this is a practice." Normand is one of more than 50 CTA members and staff who currently serve on school boards across California, bringing educators' voices to local policy-making discussions and advo- cating for safe and supportive learning conditions for every student. Last December, these educators/elected officials held their own caucus at the California School Boards Association annual meeting for the second time. At a time when educators and communities are rising together to fight extremists elected to school boards, like in Chino Valley, Orange, Rocklin and Temecula, more and more educators are stepping up to defend their schools and communities as trustees. " We are uniquely positioned to identify and work on pol- icies that protect students, teachers and staff, to ensure that all students have opportunities to reach their full potential," says Normand, who is endorsed by numerous Alameda County teachers' associations. " We advocate for the students who cannot advocate for themselves — specifically, those who are historically underserved and overlooked." In Los Angeles, near-20-year educator Karla Griego is looking to become the first-ever special education teacher on the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education. Endorsed by United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) for District 5, Griego is also the community schools coordinator at Karla Griego S P E C I A L E D U C AT I O N T E A C H E R / C O M M U N I T Y S C H O O L S C O O R D I N AT O R United Teachers Los Angeles Candidate for Los Angeles Unified School Board, District 5 karlagriegoforschoolboard.com Why are you running for school board? I have been inspired by my daughter, my students, their families and my col- leagues who day in and day out are fighting to bring more resources to our schools, hold the district and superintendent accountable, and navigate the bureaucracy at school sites and at the district level. I want to continue this work at the school board: holding the district accountable; supporting the whole child and expanding community schools and LAUSD's Black Student Achievement Plan. Why is it so important to have educators as school board members? We educators have been making history in public education: through our col- lective power when we strike; our organizing with students, families, community organizations and caregivers; and our yearning to create the schools our students deserve — green, healthy, collaborative and enriching. Schools that center and address the assets and needs of the whole child, so we are ready and equipped to lead our districts — with our unions and movements. What would you say to educators considering running for school board? Our experiences in the classroom and in education leadership prepare us well for service to our communities on school or county boards. We bring a deep understanding that is unmatched of how education funding should be focused on ensuring schools receive the resources and personnel needed for safe, supportive and nurturing high-quality learning environments. As educators, we deserve to have a seat at every table where decisions are being made about our students, jobs and working conditions. "Our experiences in the classroom and in education leadership prepare us well for service to our communities on school or county boards. —Karla Griego Continued on Page 21 19 F E B R U A R Y / M A R C H 2 0 24