Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1463867
Honoring Our Own State Council honored the five California Teachers of the Year, all CTA members: Alondra Diaz, Saddleback Valley Educators Association; Nichi Avina, Palm Springs Teachers Association; Sovantevy "Sovey" Long-Latteri, Fullerton Secondary Teachers Organization; Tiffany Jokerst, Grossmont Education Association; and Virginia Vasquez, Alhambra Teachers Association. Diaz, California's nominee for National Teacher of the Year, gave a passionate speech on behalf of the five winners that drove many in the audience to tears. Members also honored the Paula J. Monroe CTA Education Sup- port Professional of the Year, Mary Ambriz, a member of Redlands Education Support Professionals Association. e CTA Women's Rights Committee shared a Women's History Month presentation, and the CTA Hispanic Caucus honored legendary organizers César Chávez and Dolores Huerta. Taking Care of Business CTA Executive Director Joe Boyd praised educators for their forti- tude during the pandemic. "What you have done for safe schools, vaccines for our staff, keeping kids safe, keeping communities healthy and our schools functioning, is nothing short of heroic," he said. "Yes, it's been a mighty struggle and it will continue to be a struggle, but if we aren't struggling, we aren't organizing." CTA Vice President David B. Goldberg moderated a forum on fossil fuel investments by CalSTRS (see sidebar). "is forum came out of a democratic process by State Council," he said. "How do we protect our retirement, and how do we take care of our planet?" e following members were elected by State Council: • Angela Normand, CTA Board of Directors District C • Mike Patterson, CTA Board of Directors District D • Margie Granado, CTA Board of Directors District L • Kisha Borden, CTA Board of Directors District P • DeWayne Sheaffer, CTA Board of Directors District Q • Roberta "Robbie" Kreitz, NEA Coordinating Director • Laura Finco, NEA Alternate Director Seat 1 • Luciano Ortiz, NEA Alternate Director Seat 3 • Mayra Alvarado, CTA/ABC Committee District C • Jennifer Wilkin, CTA/ABC Committee District F • Wendy Eccles, CTA/ABC Committee District K • Lorraine Richards, CTA/ABC Committee District L • Jessica Merschtina, CTA/ABC Committee District P • Patrick Mitchell, CTA/ABC Committee District Q • Andrea Reyna, CTA/ABC Committee At-Large CTA State Council of Education next meets May 20-22 in Los Angeles. A L O N G - S T A N D I N G discussion about fossil fuel investments by the State Teachers' Retirement Sys- tem (CalSTRS) continued during a forum held at the State Council of Education meeting in March. The 90-minute session looked at the best path forward to address the climate crisis in relation to approximately $6 billion in investments in fossil fuel producers held by CalSTRS. Hosted by CTA Vice President David Goldberg, the forum focused on two approaches: immediate divestment from all fossil fuels versus a gradual transition to fossil fuel net zero by 2050. "We have got to get to 100 percent clean renewable energy as fast as possible, which means we have to dismantle the fossil fuel industry as fast as possible," said Mark Norberg, a member of Burbank Teachers Association, who spoke in favor of divestment. "We can do this. We have the influence to quite literally save the planet." On the transition side, CalSTRS Deputy Chief Investment Officer Scott Chan said divestment has a potential loss of $20 billion for the fund. He said CalSTRS' path to net zero includes engaging companies, influencing policies, investing in climate solutions, and managing risk. "If our move to net zero undermines our ability to pay the pension promise, then we need to put the brakes on it," said Harry Keiley, CalSTRS Board chair and member of Santa Monica-Malibu Classroom Teachers Association. At the meeting, State Council took a " Watch" position on SB 1173 (Gonzalez), which would prohibit CalSTRS from making or renewing invest- ments in fossil fuels and require full divestment by July 1, 2027. The bill is awaiting hearings in multiple legislative committees. For more information on CalSTRS' transition approach, visit calstrs.com/path-to-net-zero. To learn more about the divestment approach, visit ctadivest.org (a pro-divestment website not endorsed by CTA). Fossil Fuel Investments: Divest or Transition? Debate continued at State Council forum By Julian Peeples 50 cta.org CTA & You