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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Dean E. Vogel Our union will lead the way There's something about the traditional start of school in September that always brings me back to my first few years as a new teacher. I remember spending most of my time in my classroom just really concentrating on my job, learning my craft, and trying to be the best teacher I could be. There were so many challenges! Lesson plans, attendance sheets, curriculum, class- room setup, learning about my students' needs, meeting their parents, working with the school administration. The process was exciting, exhilarating, and yes, overwhelming. That was when I learned that engaging with colleagues and getting their support helped me improve as a teacher and made it easier to find my comfort with the intensity of it all. I also began to see that many of us had some of the same challenges, and they could best be addressed if we combined our efforts. And it was that realization that led me to get involved in my local association. There is oſten one issue that gets us involved in the union. For me, it was the need for ele- mentary prep time. I truly felt that elemen- tary teachers, like secondary teachers, needed release time during the school day to prepare, so I began attending union meetings to lobby for support. I banded together with other like- minded folk, I helped lead the charge, and together, we secured release prep time for ele- mentary teachers. Soon after, my local president followed me out to the car one day, and encouraged EDITOR'S NOTE You will notice some design changes in this issue of the California Educator magazine as a result of an initial set of recommendations from members. In our continued effort to bring you the best membership magazine possible, we need to hear from you. I invite you to fill out our readership survey in the Educator section of www.cta.org. You'll automatically be entered to win an iPad, on which you can read future issues of the magazine. So flip through these pages and then let us know what you think. Your opinions matter and will help shape future issues. JONATHAN GOLDMAN, Managing Editor 4 California Educator / September 2011 me to run for a position on the executive board of the Vacaville Teachers Associa- tion. I was hooked. I can tell you that I didn't get into teach- ing to be a union member or a leader. I learned, though, that when I was engaged in my union, I could be part of real change for my students and for my profession. That was a huge realization for me, and one that contin- ues to inspire me as your president. We've been through a lot of challenging times together in the past few years as fund- ing for schools and colleges has been on the chopping block. And while this year we were able to stabilize funding for K-12 schools, our community colleges and universities took another cut. As we continue to advocate for better funding for public education and other essential services, we undoubtedly will face further challenges to our profession, our secure retirements and our right to union- ize. A new paycheck deception initiative has already been filed and will qualify for a 2012 election. We've beat this type of initiative twice before and we'll beat it again. We have a proud history of standing together and making things better for our stu- dents and our profession. I am honored to be president of CTA during these critical times, and I will work hard to make sure the union continues to make it easier for you to focus on your students and being a great educator. MANAGING EDITOR STAFF WRITER CTA WEB EDITOR CTA WEB EDITOR EDITORIAL ASSISTANT WEB ASSISTANT WEB ASSISTANT PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT SECRETARY-TREASURER Jonathan Goldman Sherry Posnick-Goodwin Karyn Ferrera Donhoff Tiffany Hasker Craig Hamilton Tami Beseda Gladdie Cabral CTA ELECTED OFFICERS Dean E. Vogel Eric C. Heins Mikki Cichocki BOARD OF DIRECTORS José Alcalá, Larry Allen, E. Toby Boyd, Donald L. Bridge, Tyrone V. Cabell, Elana Davidson, Don Dawson, Dana Dillon, David Goldberg, Jim Groth, Terri Jackson, Marty G. Meeden, George Melendez, Theresa Montaño, Mary Rose Ortega, Cynthia Peña, Bonnie Shatun, Michael Stone, KC Walsh, Curtis Washington EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ASSOCIATE EXEC. DIRECTOR COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Carolyn Doggett Rebecca Zoglman Jonathan Goldman CONTRIBUTORS Amy Braden, Scott Buschman, Len Feldman, Bill Guy, Stephen R. Harris III, Sandra Jackson, Dina Martin, Sheri Miyamoto, Mike Myslinski, Toni Trigueiro, Frank Wells, Trudy Stephenson Willis EDITORIAL INFORMATION California Educator is published for the information and edification of CTA members. The editorial philosophy is governed by the policies of CTA. Articles and advertising reflect that philosophy. Letters to the editor may be sent to editor@cta.org. Publication of advertising in the California Educator does not indicate CTA approval of the product or of the companies that purchase advertising. For advertising rates and information, contact WebSolutions Media 5666 Spruce Harbor Court, Las Vegas, NV 89122 (800) 585-9322 websol@earthlink.net, websolutionsmedia.com CTA/NEA membership dues for the fiscal year, Sept. 1–Aug. 31, are $825, including a $20 voluntary contribution. Up to $18.45 of CTA annual dues is designated for CTA/ABC political activities to support state and local candidates and/or initiatives and is not deductible for income tax purposes. Subscription to the California Educator is $10 per year, available to persons or institutions not eligible for CTA/NEA membership. California Educator (ISSN 1091-6148) is published monthly except January, July and August for $6.45 per year (included in dues) by: CALIFORNIA TEACHERS ASSOCIATION 1705 Murchison Dr., Burlingame, CA 94010-4583 (650) 697-1400; FAX (650) 552-5002 editor@cta.org, www.cta.org Postmaster: Send change of address to California Educator, P.O. Box 4178, Burlingame, CA 94011-4178. Periodicals Postage Paid at Burlingame, CA, and additional mailing offices.