Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1500904
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 The Fight for Fairness While exceptionally happy for the Twin Rivers United Educators that they finally got a well-deserved agreement ("A True Tale," April/May 2023), I can't help but be saddened that teachers have to fight so hard for a decent cost of living adjustment. We call it a victory but maybe it's a basic human right that should be automatically added to educators' salary schedules without having to beg for it. For those who belong to weak unions and a revolving door of administrators, the idea that if we are not able to build that solidarity we won't be able to get the COLA is frustrating. My colleagues up the road have negotiated 20% but sadly we will be punished for circumstances beyond our control, receiving only 4.5% over the last three years. The equity pay gap widens. It's disheartening and one more reason educators leave the profession. SABRINA LAWRENCE Gavilan College Faculty Association Advocating on Lobby Day Educators walked the halls of the State Capitol on Lobby Day in late April, meeting with legisla- tors and advocating positions on important bills making their way through the legislative pro- cess. Above: West Sacramento Teachers Assn. members Naqiba Gregory, Carmen Wright and Dr. Amber Bradley met with State Senator Bill Dodd. Read about the bills in play on page 27. student Cta addresses the big issues Student CTA held its Spring Event in April in San Diego, discussing recruitment, retention and burnout in education. New SCTA officers were elected, pictured at right: Top row, from left — Kiseme Parks, ethnic minority representative, Ethan Collier-Moreno, vice president; Jonathan Oyaga, president, Sarahy Torres, communications editor. Bottom row, from left — Jennifer Kay Garcia, communications editor; K. Sam. Gonzalez-Dean, social justice advocate; Monique Gutierrez, northern regional VP. Not pictured: Jacob Moser, southern regional VP. For more, see cta.org/studentcta. 3 J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 2 3 U P F R O N T