Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1525262
Oscar Ramos, a TOSA and migrant student coordinator, with students in Salinas. (All classroom photos are from the CTA media spots.) " T E A C H I N G I S A N A C T O F L O V E , " says Cesar Juarez, high school history educator and East Side Teachers Association member. "It's difficult work but we do it because we love serving our families and communities." Across California , our public schools and community colleges are fueled by dedicated edu- cators who come together in our union to fight for high-quality public schools for every student. From seasoned teachers and experienced instruc- tors to new educators fresh in the classroom, the passion and commitment is palpable. United by our mission to ensure all students feel seen, heard , valued and supported , CTA members are organizing and building in com- munities throughout the state to ensure that public education remains the "great equalizer" in American society. In local associations from Chula Vista to Chico, educators are organizing and fighting to win better teaching and learning conditions, more resources and services for our students and their families, and to keep caring teachers in the communities they love to support the students who rely on them. e many local battles for the public schools all our communities deserve and need inspire the collective statewide struggle of all 310,000 CTA members for the public education we all know is possible. "Seeing our colleagues come together in a strong union and really fight for our schools and communities, it's really work we can all believe in," says eighth grade teacher Noriko Nakada. Our stories unite us, and our shared experi- ences as educators help shape and inform our fight for each other, our students, the teaching craft and the brilliant power of public education. Here are eight educators who are dedicated to students and active in their union to keep the promise of public education alive for all. Dedicated teachers' classroom work fueled by union values, collective action By Julian Peeples Unionists and Educators 13 A U G U S T / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 24 Gina Gray Feature