Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/7398
¡Sí Se Puede! ¿Por Qué No? B Y C T A P R E S I D E N T D A V I D A . S A N C H E Z A s a young man working a summer job pick- ing strawberries near my hometown of Santa Maria, I remember experiencing personally what it felt like to be treated unfairly by an employer. One day in the fields, my co-workers and I were shocked to see that crop dusters suddenly began spraying pesticide over our heads and onto the fields where we all worked. It was astonishing to look up and see that kind of dis- respect, the total disregard for our health and well- being. Inspired by César Chávez’s leadership, we joined in a march that was being organized with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo students from Santa Ma- ria to Guadalupe 10 miles away. We’d had enough, and we were ready to take a stand. The energy of that decision to march was really something in- credible. All it took was one person realizing that it wasn’t fair, and another person joining, and an- other — and suddenly we were changing things. Today, with California’s education funding in shambles, the need to organize for change is more urgent than ever. Our schools and students are reeling from the $17 billion in cuts over the last two years — and from the governor’s new proposal to cut another $2.5 billion, as well as his broken promise to repay $11.2 billion owed to schools last year. I’m ready to join with all of you in standing up against the unfair treatment we all feel, the disregard for our profession, our stu- dents and our state’s future. With the assistance of all our members — and in partnership with other concerned unions and com- munity groups — CTA is helping to organize a day of action to “Start the Day for Students” on March 4, protesting the devastating cuts to schools and other essential state services. We’re asking educators to ral- ly co-workers, parents and community members to join in events all across the state in a collective shout against the cuts to our schools and colleges. Many schools have already planned creative events to demonstrate the severity of the cuts. For instance, several schools in San Francisco have decided to promote schoolwide “disaster drills” during the day to drive home the message that our public schools are in a dire state of emergency — a five-alarm ca- tastrophe. Events up and down the state will send similar messages. Your voices coming together in unison will get us through this difficult time. ¿Por Qué No? With California ranking 46th nationally in per- pupil education spending and a new UCLA study showing that recent state cuts have led to increased class sizes in 74 percent of elementary schools, we cannot sit idly by and watch this disaster spread like wildfire. As a prelude to the March 4 events, CTA has launched radio ads statewide underscor- ing the toll that the cuts are taking on our students. The spots call on parents and community mem- bers to join our March 4 day of action against cuts to schools and other essential state services. It’s also a day to remind lawmakers that the repeal of cor- porate tax loopholes is absolutely necessary. In these tough economic times, everybody must be paying their fair share. When big corporations are paying less and middle-class families are paying more, something is obviously out of balance. We are urging members and the public to go to the CTA social networking website — www.standupforschools.org — to learn more about the budget crisis and to connect with event organizers. The website reveals the groundswell of March 4 protests against school cuts in cities across the state, as educators join working families and other unions taking a stand to protect schools, health care for children, and vital social services for the poor and elderly. We need your help in this critical effort to speak out at “Start the Day for Stu- dents” events on March 4 about the painful effects that cuts are having on our students, schools, edu- cators and communities. Also just released is the all-new www.cta.org website, which allows members to connect digital- ly with fellow members like never before. You can use the site to build a personal profile, learn more about CTA, share lesson plans — and most impor- tantly, to get involved. With just a few clicks, you can connect with colleagues and take action calling out to lawmakers about their neglect of the public education system. I hope all of you will come together with the collective voice of CTA’s 325,000 incredible mem- bers to protect our state’s future. It’s time we all take a stand. EDITOR IN CHIEF Dave Earl Carpenter STAFF WRITER Sherry Posnick-Goodwin CTA WEB EDITOR Karyn Ferrera Donhoff CTA WEB EDITOR Tiffany Hasker EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Craig Hamilton CTA ELECTED OFFICERS PRESIDENT David A. Sanchez VICE PRESIDENT Dean E. Vogel SECRETARY-TREASURER Gail M. Mendes BOARD OF DIRECTORS Larry Allen, E. Toby Boyd, Donald L. Bridge, Tyrone V. Cabell, Mikki Cichocki, Elana Davidson, Don Dawson, Dana Dillon, David Goldberg, Jim Groth, Dián Dolores Hasson, Eric C. Heins, Marty G. Meeden, George Melendez, Mary Rose Ortega, Cynthia Peña, Jim Rogers, Bonnie Shatun, Marc Sternberger, Michael Stone, Curtis Washington EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Carolyn Doggett ASSOCIATE EXEC. DIRECTOR Rebecca Zoglman COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Jonathan Goldman CONTRIBUTORS Scott Buschman, Dave Crosland, Len Feldman, Bill Guy, Dina Martin, Mike Myslinski, Kamran Nasser, Frank Wells EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Katie Young, chair; Ami S. Barker, Misao Brown, Rosalyn Collier, Tony P. Diaz, Michael Downey, Linda Guthrie, Gregg Solkovits, Sandra Thornton, KC Walsh; Jim Groth (Board liaison) EDITORIAL INFORMATION California Educator is published for the information and edification of its members. The editorial philoso- phy 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 Educa- tor does not indicate CTA approval of the product or of the companies that purchase advertising. Advertising rate card and information is available from WebSolutions, Media Division, 5666 Spruce Harbor Court, Las Vegas, NV 89122 (702) 838-3434; FAX (702) 838-3355 CTA/NEA membership dues for the fiscal year, Sept. 1-Aug. 31, are $783, including a $20 voluntary contribution. Up to $17.97 of CTA annual dues is designated for CTA/ABC political activ ities to support state and local candidates and/or initiatives and is not deductible for income tax purposes. Subscription to the California Educator is $10/year, available only to persons or institutions not eligible for CTA/NEA membership. California Educator (ISSN 1091-6148) is published monthly except January, July and August for $6.47 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. ¡Sí Se Puede! [Yes we can! Why not?], words inspired by César Chávez, encourage us to remember that, together, we can achieve great things. 4 California Educator | FEBRUARY 2010 Periodicals Postage Paid at Burlingame, CA, and additional mailing offices.