Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1337485
Make Your Voice Heard: #OnlyWhenItsSafe L E T C A L I F O R N I A lawmakers hear from you. Right now, they are debating, crafting legislation, and making decisions that will shape our remaining days in this pandemic. They need to know what is happening with you and your world to make informed decisions. We invite you join fellow educators to record a short video at bit.ly/EducatorsOnSafety. Help lawmakers understand what teaching and learning during a pandemic has been like for you; the challenges you and your colleagues, students, family and community have faced in the past year; and your hopes and needs for the future. CTA/NEA-Retired Issues Conference T H I S Y E A R ' S conference — virtual and free, March 2-5 — addresses "Retirement in the Digital Age." Get info and insights on Medicare and pensions as well as social media, activism and digital security. Network with other veteran educators and stay connected and involved with CTA/NEA. Speakers include CTA President E. Toby Boyd; Mary Kusler, senior director of NEA's Center for Advocacy; NEA-Retired President Sara Borgman; and Jack Ehnes, CEO of CalSTRS. Register at cta.org/conferences. Early Retirement? CalSTRS (State Teachers' Retirement System), which provides retirement, disability and survivor benefits for full-time and part-time California public school educators, has reported a large number of teacher retirements — 5,644 — in the last six months of 2020, on track to be the highest total since 2009-10. In a survey of 517 recent retirees, 62 percent indicated they had retired earlier than planned. Their reasons: What contributed to your decision to retire earlier than planned? Select all that apply: Source: CalSTRS Challenges teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic 56% Did not want to continue working remotely 35% Did not want to risk exposure to COVID-19 35% Other, please specify 29% Health related (self or family member) 17% Employer offered an incentive to retire 13% Did not want to return to classroom teaching 11% 12 cta.org In the Know N E W S & N O T E S