Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1463867
O N E O F C T A ' S most moving events is the Human Rights Awards pre- sentation at the Equity and Human Rights Conference. You can read about this year's stellar awardees on page 38, and watch their videos at youtube.com/californiateachers, which convey just a glimmer of their work and their impact. But attending the event in person sheds an entirely new light on our social justice warriors. The excitement in the ballroom is palpable. Seeing individual winners take the stage to great applause, hearing them express gratitude to their students and colleagues while calling for the work to continue, and watching the faces of proud families and friends during this recognition are all hugely inspirational. "ey show us what is possible and that we do make a difference in this world," said CTA President E. Toby Boyd at this year's ceremony. Every day, in fact, educators show students what is possible and teach that their actions make a difference. is is particularly urgent as we address climate change and its fallout: wildfires, drought, warming oceans and more. As you can read in "Can Students Save Earth in Time?" (page 16), what young people learn and discover under the guidance of teachers gives us hope that we may be able to stop and perhaps reverse what is happening. Like their influence in the classroom, educators' voice is essential in our communities and at the tables where policies and decisions are made; it brings much-needed and unique perspectives, experience and expertise. Montebello Teachers Association member Gabriela Gonza- lez, recently appointed to the State Board of Education, says her new role is important for her students ("A Voice for Students, Educators," Showing Us What's Possible page 13). "Students need a teacher who reflects them — a child of immigrant parents, a second language learner," she says. "I like to show students examples of people in this profession and what they can achieve." CTA ensures educators' voice is heard at many lev- els ("Educators in the Room," page 30). More than 60 members serve as CTA liaisons and ambassadors to a wide array of state agen- cies and organizations whose work affects education. They monitor meetings and make educators' views known on behalf of all members and students. Of course, educators operate on a much more personal level as well — with their peers. Look no further than Mary Ambriz, the Paula J. Monroe 2022 CTA ESP of the Year (page 48). A longtime member and executive secretary of Redlands Edu- cation Support Professionals Association, she has had an impact on many. As one of her supporters said, "She lifts up ESP colleagues by expressing that ESPs matter, that our stu- dents matter, and together we can achieve great things." With educators, everything is possible. Katharine Fong E D I T O R I N C H I E F editor@cta.org CTA's Human Rights Award winners and supporters cut loose. Front row: Magret Nunes, CTA officers David Goldberg, E. Toby Boyd and Leslie Littman, and Telly Tse. Second row: C. Scott Miller, Brenda Walker, Daniel Gallegos, Christina Alaniz, Juli Stowers, Guadalupe Carrasco Cardona, Vanessa Aranda, Gina Gray, VanCedric Williams and Alberto Nodal. Story on page 38. 6 cta.org E D I T O R ' S N O T E ESP of the Year Mary Ambriz