Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1512793
December 2023 / January 2024 V O L U M E 2 8 I S S U E 3 MAGAZINE DIGITAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT MEMBER BENEFITS W H A T ' S H A P P E N I N G N O W #WeAreCTA OUR VOICE, OUR UNION, OUR PROFESSION AN EXCELLENT EDUCATOR Meet the recipient of the NEA Foundation Award for Teach- ing Excellence. PAGE 14 INCLUSIVE CLASSROOMS Three exemplary educators show how they do it. PAGE 23 TEACHER TESTS: LITTLE VALUE The TPA is stressful, redun- dant and of little value to teacher prep. CTA suggests a better way. PAGE 26 LIT FROM WITHIN One teacher writes kids' books based on national parks; another 's hard life inspires. PAGE 56 YOUR VOICE MATTERS! Vote with California educa- tors in the March Presidential Primary Election. PAGE 31 cta.org/election BIG WIN FOR FRESNO Fresno educators unite with parents, community and allies to win historic contract. PAGE 16 fb.watch/ozsr_O4rO9/ SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLBOX The power of highlighting your members. PAGE 40 CTA ON THREADS Find and follow us at wearecta on threads.net. A SEASON TO SAVE Deals and discounts on travel, entertainment and shopping with CTA Access to Savings. PAGE 11 CTAMember Benefits.org/Access SLEEP IS A SUPERPOWER The Calm app — free to CTA members — can help you rest, relax and sleep. PAGE 51 CTAMemberBenefits.org/ Calm CTA SCHOLARSHIPS... ...and awards and grants. Your union can help you and your dependents succeed. PAGE 48 cta.org/scholarships UPDATE YOUR EXPERTISE Master new skills and refresh old ones at CTA's Good Teaching Conference. GTC-North: Feb. 2–4; GTC-South: March 22–24. PAGE 9 cta.org/conferences CCA WINTER CONFERENCE Community college advo- cacy, issues, trainings and more. PAGE 9 cca4us.org/conferences Winning artwork for the 2022–2023 Chávez & Huerta Memorial Education Awards by Meilani Castillo, grades 9–12, Region 4; teacher: Amanda Lira, Temecula Valley Education Assn. Story on page 48. 1 D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 / J A N U A R Y 2 0 24