Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/229155
Ask Dean At this holiday time, what do you wish for CTA's family and friends? T o our 325,000 members: I count among you teachers, counselors, school librarians, social workers, psychologists, nurses, full-time and parttime community college faculty, California State University faculty, education support professionals, Student CTA members, and retirees. Our numbers have certainly grown since CTA's founder, John Swett, convened 100 educators in 1863 to help establish free, publicly supported schools in California. We could not have made the gains we did without you. We all worked hard to pass Proposition 30 last November to raise school funding in California by a projected $47 billion over the next seven years. And you did that. When CTA called on you to write letters, you wrote letters. When CTA called on you to mobilize, you mobilized. And when CTA called on you to stand together and bring one unified voice to the forefront, well, you did that over and over again. Because you care so much for students and for our profession, you got out of your comfort zone and did scary things — all so students can learn and we can teach. We owe so much to those who went before us, and we count on each of you to pay it forward. May your holiday season be restful and filled with the wonder to be found in family and friends. To our chapter presidents: Thank you for your dedication and determined effort in support of your members each and every day. You are way too busy in your own jobs in your own schools, yet you still make time to attend school board meetings, speak out on behalf of your colleagues, help those who 4 Educator 12 Dec 2013 v2.0 int.indd 4 You're invited! to join us on January 7 for CTA's all-member Telephone Town Hall to discuss our Strategic Plan. This is your chance to ask questions about the plan and to hear what other CTA members and leaders have to say about the opportunities it presents. Find details on the next page. Nearly two years ago, CTA began a long-term planning process to make our union better able to meet the many challenges facing public education today. The Strategic Plan, called "Our Union, Our Future," is based on input from thousands of CTA members. I know that the plan, up for approval by CTA State Council in late January, will lead to an even more effective and member-engaged CTA. You can learn more and download the plan at cta.org/ourfuture. The Strategic Plan is an exciting and comprehensive road map for CTA's future. I believe it will help educators lead our profession, strengthen our locals, increase member engagement, have an even stronger voice, and create the best public education system for California students. I hope you will join us on the call. I'M EXCITED TO INVITE YOU have been wronged, share union news with your chapter, and help new members understand the value of the association. You are on the front lines every day, fighting for our members and advancing the cause of a quality public education. During this holiday season, may you take time for your family, time for yourself, and time to recharge and regenerate. To CTA staff: Thank you for your hard work, excellent planning, and thoughtful follow-up. The support you give to our members in the field and at the negotiating table, as legislative advocates and union activists, is as good as it gets. Because of your efforts, our members are routinely provided with expert advice, adequate training, and critical information about their rights as professionals. We flourish in our association work because you are so effective at doing yours. For this holiday season, I hope you can keep your calendars clear of school board meetings, grievance hearings and unfair labor practices, at least until school is back in session. To Superintendent Tom Torlakson: On behalf of our 325,000 members, thank you for your commitment to public schools and colleges, teachers and students. Under your leadership, California has begun to turn the corner. And we're showing the rest of the nation that local educators, working collaboratively with appropriate stakeholder groups, can take bold steps to improve student learning. Your strong advocacy for increasing state resources in support of K-14 education has been an excellent model for all of us, and we truly appreciate and salute your efforts. May you recharge your batteries over the holidays so that you come back in January, rested and ready to continue the steadfast, thoughtful leadership that has defined your tenure thus far. To everyone who shares our goal of quality public schools for all: Enjoy your family and friends. We stand ready to work with you, and continue to advocate for California's students and educators. Dean E. Vogel C TA P R E S I D E N T Do you have an issue or topic you'd like Dean to address? Let us know. Email editor@cta.org. DE C E M B E R 2013 | JANUARY 2014 12/14/13 3:32 PM