Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1518807
CTA Board Member Jesse Aguilar, members MaryKay Scheid and JoAnne Johnsen and Board Member Robert Ellis speak to a legislative aide at the State Capitol. Lori de St. Aubin buying groceries for families in need. Fully Committed E D U C A T O R S A R E W E L L K N O W N for selfless devotion to their students and communities — beyond what they do in classrooms and schools. Many of these social jus- tice warriors have been honored for their work as CTA Human Rights Award recipients. Lori de St. Aubin, one of this year's winners, is a striking example: e elementary school teacher has been helping feed and house families since the pandemic; at one point she used funds she'd saved for a root canal for groceries for families in need. O l iv e G a r r i s o n , a n o t h e r h o n o re e , h a s l i t e ra l ly put their life on the lin e speaking out for LGBTQ+ students. Yet anoth er, Deborah S chn eider S oli s, i s a tenacious advocate for students with exceptional needs and their families. is kind of commitment, demonstrated by awardees year after year, is truly awe-inspiring. Read "CTA's Human Rights Award Winners" — a program celebrat- ing its 40th anniversary this year — on page 32. Commitment is a big part of our members' ongoing work. It was on display when CTA officers, local presi- dents and members converged on the State Capitol in March to lobby legislators to vote for AB 2901 ("Paid Pregnancy Leave for Educators," page 20). Putting aside the fact that California educators have zero paid pregnancy leave — barbaric, considering that the state has the fifth-largest economy in the world but pales in comparison to what many other countries do — lob- bying can be grueling. Members trudged up and down hallways, crowded into legislators' offices, and spoke passionately about the inequities and hardships endured by educators who choose to start or grow their families. ey did this all day, for two days. CTA has an abundance of members fully committed to their union family. Take Steve Acosta, CTA Paula J. Mon- roe ESP of the Year ("One of the Family," page 49). His day job is as a school district's technology technician. And as an Asso- ciation of Classified Employees-Culver City member, he is constantly working to support fellow members and help them reach their personal goals. is includes coming up with ideas for their professional growth, helping show them options for becoming teachers or taking on other roles in education, and encouraging them to strive for their dreams. It is this commitment — to students, families, communities and to each other — that makes all of us and our union stronger and capable of so many great things. We can and are fighting RIFs ("Standing United Against Layoffs," page 38), winning elections ("Public Education Wins in Primary Election," page 40) and scoring legal victories; read our higher education stories on a suit by part-time college instructors that is now a class action lawsuit (page 41) and United Faculty winning its case against a district's retaliation and interference with protected rights (page 44). Because CTA encourages, invites and supports member commitment, it's a better world. Happy Spring! Katharine Fong E D I T O R I N C H I E F editor@cta.org 6 cta.org E D I T O R ' S N O T E