Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1500904
S I R E F L E C T on my four years as CTA president, I'm filled with a sense of gratitude and pride in our collective accomplishments as a union. I 've seen with my own eyes the transformation among our ranks that is breaking through barriers so our students can be proud and comfortable with who they are — as they are; and so all our students have the same right to a quality education and a bright future. I've realized that the way to bring about real, sustainable, meaning ful change was to be part of something larger and far stronger than I could ever be on my own — our union. at collective strength pro- pelled me forward and let me know that all the things we needed to fight for were possible to accomplish. Even w h en a w orl dwi de pandemic presented new and unprecedented chal- lenges to educators, to students and to the work of our union, we met that challenge together, and have come out stronger on the other side. D e s p i t e p r e d i c t i o n s o f f i n a n c i a l catastrophe for schools when the pan- demic began, and in the face of a more recent $31.5 billion state revenue short- fall, the California state budget going into 2023-24 continues to protect and fully fund public education at record levels. We're not where we need to be — Cali- fornia is the fifth largest economy in the world and our schools should be funded accordingly — but over the past four years we've seen a steady climb upward. The revised budget includes a historic 8.22 percent cost-of-living increase to K-14 funding. In total, per-student fund- ing is at $23,706. That means per-pupil funding has gone up about $1,000 a year since I became president. During these same years, CTA mem- bers and chapters in huge numbers have embraced racial and social justice issues, continuing a mission that goes back to the origins of our union. Members fought for immigrant students and colleagues, m a rc h e d f o r th e B l a c k L iv e s Ma tt e r movement, stood against Asian hate and antisemitism, and protected students and each other against anti-LGBTQ+ attacks and rhetoric. CTA members have stood up for truth in our curriculum and fought back against insidious attempts to rewrite our nation's histor y when it comes to race. Social justice issues, including sup- port for community schools, have been at the forefront of the "common good" issues that have driven the most recent educator strikes in California. I do believe one of our greatest col- lective accomplishments on the social justice front has been California's his- toric $4 billion investment in community schools. ese schools have the potential to transform public education in tradi- tionally underserved communities, and embrace shared leadership that includes A Better World — Because of You educators, parents, students and commu- nity members deciding what is best for their schools and communities. All that CTA has been able to accom- plish has only been possible because of you. e simple fact that you're reading this issue of the Educator is a form of member engagement. Many of you have taken the next steps to do even more to keep us strong. Whether it's serving on a local chapter committee, attending a union rally or school board meeting, b eing a sit e union representative, or participating in any other CTA or local chapter event, you are the heart and soul that keeps our union strong. Th e w orld i s b ett er today for Cali- fornia students because of you. While there are challenges ahead and oppor- tunities to make things even better for public education, with your continued involvement I know CTA and our pro- fession will remain strong. It has been a true honor and a privilege to serve as CTA president. ank you. E. Toby Boyd C T A P R E S I D E N T @etobyboyd A 5 J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 2 3 P R E S I D E N T ' S M E S S A G E