Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1525262
historic 2019 strike, and co-chaired UTLA's Racial Justice Task Force. As a State Council representative, she chaired the Civil Rights in Education Committee and served on the CTA strategic planning workgroup. Fun fact: Jones is a new mom and a key advocate in the fight for educators' paid maternity leave. BOARD MEMBERS VanCedric Williams DISTRICT A High school social science educator Williams is a member of United Educators of San Francisco, where he served as a site rep and on the assembly-rep council and executive board, and on numerous chapter committees. Previously a par- aeducator, he was motivated to become a teacher to inspire achievement and success in young people, especially BIPOC and those in high-need communities. His service extends to the Oakland school board, NEA Board of Directors, CTA State Council, and the CTA Budget and Adult, Career, and Technical Ed committees. Fun fact: Williams loves to garden, run 5Ks, do DIY projects, travel with his partner and enjoy delicious meals out with friends and family. Maripaz Berlin DISTRICT B Berlin, an educator for more than 18 years, has served as president of Oak Grove Educators Assn., and was previously vice president, grievance chair and membership engagement chair. She was a State Council delegate and NEA RA dele- gate for several years. An alumna of CTA's Ethnic Minority Early Identification & Development program, Berlin received OGEA's WHO Award in 2018 and the state WHO Award in 2023. She co-authored an LGBTQ+ rights resolution and a resolution denouncing hate crimes and bigotry against AAPI peoples for her school district. Fun fact: Berlin enjoys visiting national parks and once hiked Half Dome in Yosemite National Park . Angela Normand DISTRICT C A special education educator, Normand has been Teacher of the Year at Adams Middle School and a participant and trainer in CTA's Ethnic Minority Early Identification and Development leadership program. As a member of Brentwood Teachers Assn., Normand served as site repre- sentative, vice president and NEA representative. Her focus included human rights advocacy — serving locally as a con- tact for LGBTQ+ and women's rights issues. She is serving her second term as Trustee Area 2 on the Alameda County Board of Education, where she was elected vice president. Fun fact: Normand's career in public education was preceded by 10 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. Mike Patterson DISTRICT D An automotive technology teacher at South Tahoe High School, Patterson is serving his third three-year term on the Board. His sprawling CTA Board District covers 23 counties from Tuolumne north to the Oregon border. The union activ- ist was a three-time president of the South Tahoe Educators Assn. and chaired the CTA Capital Service Center Council for many years. He was also his chapter 's vice president and organizing chair. Before his teaching career, he worked as an auto and bus technician and is a strong advocate for career technical education in public schools. Fun fact: Patterson coached his high school's golf team for 12 years. Shelly Gupton DISTRICT E Gupton has advocated for students and public schools for a quarter century, teaching in Richmond and Pittsburg. She is a member of the Elk Grove Educators Assn., where she served on the executive board and as State Council repre- sentative. Her local advocacy was behind the creation of EGEA's Equity Committee. Gupton served on CTA's Diver- sity Advisory Panel for three years and served as secretary and a rep for at-large locals for the Capital Service Center. As a State Council delegate, she served on the Curriculum and Instruction and Representation committees. She was one of the first educator leaders in CTA's Instructional Leadership Corps. Eva Ruiz DISTRICT F Ruiz is a bilingual elementary teacher in Fresno. She rep- resents CTA members in Stanislaus, Merced, Mariposa, Fresno and Madera counties, and served as Fresno Teachers Assn. president. She is a past FTA treasurer, negotiations team member, organizing committee activist and school site representative. The daughter of farm workers, Ruiz's CTA work includes serving on the Ethnic Minority Affairs Commit- tee, chairing the Health Benefits Advisory Committee, and serving as State Council delegate. She was a California del- egate to NEA Representative Assembly (RA) and founding member of the CA Latina Democrats of Fresno County. Fun fact: Ruiz was the first Latina president for FTA and CTA Board Member for District F. Maritza Ávila DISTRICT G Ávila's quarter-century public education career includes her current role as Ethnic Studies educator/coach and reflects a steadfast commitment to educational excellence, advocacy 50 cta.org Our Union