California Educator

December/January 2019

Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1190776

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NEA President Lily Eskelsen García NEA President Lily Eskelsen García delighted State Coun- cil in a keynote address, sharing stories about why next year's presidential election is so crucial for public educa- tion and the very future of the United States. "We are fighting for an America that never existed. We are fighting for who we are supposed to be, … for the two most important words in the English language: for all," Eskelsen García said. "It is my daily prayer that you and I will be worthy of those who are counting on us. I have never believed in the power of us more than I do now." S h e e n c o u r a g e d e d u c a t o r s t o v i s i t N E A's p r e s - i d e n t i a l e l e c t i o n w e b s i t e , S t r o n g P u b l i c S c h o o l s ( educationvotes.nea.org/presidential-2020), f o r i n f o r m a t i o n o n w h e r e a l l t h e c a n d i d a t e s s t a n d w h e n i t c o m e s t o p u b l i c s c h o o l s a n d i s s u e s t h a t m a tt e r t o e d u c a t o r s . Eskelsen García also issued a unique call to action: throw a house party. She asked educators to host house parties in early November — one year before the 2020 presidential election — to talk with family, friends and neighbors about why their vote next year is so important. "We've got to get people woke!" she said. The year ahead Setting the vision for the coming year's advocacy, State Council endorsed next year's school facilities bond (AB 48), as well as authorized up to $6 million to support CTA posi- tions on the 2020 ballot. President Boyd introduced to State Council the new CTA executive director, Joe Boyd (see page 51 for more on Boyd). Four members were elected to new leadership roles: • Christopher Finley, NEA Board of Directors, District 14 • Nichole DeVore, NEA Board of Directors, Alternate Seat 2 • DeWayne Sheaffer, CTA Board of Directors, District Q • Hilary Hall, CTA/ABC Committee, District I Emphasizing that the victories of the past year took commitment to each other, our students and our shared mission, President Boyd thanked all CTA members for fight- ing side by side for the schools our students need to be the leaders of tomorrow. "Our work never really stops as educators and advocates," he said. "But with students at the center of everything we do, it never really feels like work." CTA State Council next meets Jan. 24-26 in Los Angeles. " Our work never really stops as educators and advocates. But with students at the center of everything we do, it never really feels like work." —CTA President E. Toby Boyd State Council delegates show their support for the Schools and Communities First initiative. 50 cta.org CTA & You

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