Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1497353
Compiled by Julian Peeples Quotes & Numbers 3 States that require media literacy in all K-12 classrooms, with standards integrated into existing social studies, health or language arts curriculum (Delaware, New Jersey and Texas), according to a March EdSource column. 18 Percentage of community college faculty who identify as Hispanic, compared to 47 percent of community college students, according to a recent report from the state auditor 's office. 3.6 Times more likely Black preschoolers are to be suspended than white preschoolers, according to federal civil rights data. 41 Years since California Day of the Teacher became an officially recognized state observance, coming out of legislation co-sponsored by CTA and the Association of Mexican American Educators in 1982. (Day of the Teacher this year is on May 10; see CTA's celebratory poster at the back of this issue.) " It's so easy to get bogged down with all of these standardized tests, all of these benchmarks that we have to meet with the students, and then lose the essence of what we're even here in school for: to inspire these students to figure out what they want to do in life and give them the tools to chase that." — OLAOLUWALOTOBI " TOBI" THOMAS, United Teachers of Richmond member, in an EdSource story about the science teacher 's efforts to become an astronaut "Mental health has always been a need, but it's especially critical coming back from the pandemic. Our students have experienced deaths of loved ones, evictions, family job loss, and now we have newcomers, arriving unaccompanied and experiencing trauma." —EMILY GRIJALVA, community schools coordinator and member of UTLA, in a February NEA Today story "To help our students reach their educational dreams, we must move away from overly simplified and politically expedient legislation and toward comprehensive, sustainable and equitable solutions." —WENDY BRILL-WYNKOOP, College of the Canyons Faculty Association member, in a February EdSource column "NEA members across this nation will fight for our students — of all races and of all places, from preschool through higher education — and for their opportunity to learn." —NEA President BECKY PRINGLE, in response to a bill proposed in Florida by Gov. Ron DeSantis that would limit what can be taught in Florida's public colleges and universities 13 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 2 3 I