Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1497353
facebook.com/wearecta @WeAreCTA youtube.com/californiateachers @WeAreCTA WeAreCTA #WeAreCTA For our full social media directory, see cta.org/social. L E T U S K N O W W H A T Y O U T H I N K . We accept signed email and letters; we excerpt user posts from CTA social media platforms and cta.org/educator. Content subject to editing for clarity and space. Photos must have permissions. Opinions expressed by writers are not necessarily those of CTA. Editor@cta.org; #WeAreCTA Three special events in May: Cal- ifornia Day of the Teacher, May 10; National School Nurse Day, also May 10; and CTA Education Support Professionals Day, May 16. This year our theme is Califor- nia Educators: Planting seeds, inspiring students and future educators, a nod to educators' critical role not only in nurturing and inspiring their students, but as mentors and guides for new and rising members of the profession. Find CTA's celebratory poster at the back of this issue and post it in classrooms, school hallways — any place where people can see it and be reminded of the essential roles our teachers, nurses and ESPs play. You'll also find ways you can show appreciation for educators on their special days and year-round. The poster was created by Oakland-based artist and social justice activ- ist Favianna Rodriguez, who offers a teacher 's guide on creating effective, impactful posters and several other useful classroom tools; find details on the back of the poster. March for Our Lives Gun violence at schools and else- where shatters lives and communities. Enough is enough! Students and educators rallied at the State Capitol and across the country on March 24 to fight against this scourge. Among the speakers was CTA member and 2021 California Teacher of the Year Jim Klip- fel. He was one of the first on the scene after the Saugus High School shooting in 2019 — an event that took the lives of two students and the gunman — and comforted students in the aftermath. To move forward and #EndGunViolence, "we must choose strength and love each other," Klipfel said. Jim Klipfel at the rally In Support of Great Teachers There is nothing more important than a great education taught by wonderful teachers. To obtain and keep those wonderful teachers they need a contract with full benefits, exceptional pay for the exceptional job they do and paid time to prepare what they are teaching in school. I support the Robla teacher 's protest (bit.ly/43o36CM). Fight for what is right and just!!! —Charlotte Hollingsworth special Days Coming Up 3 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 2 3 U P F R O N T