Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1530930
Equity on Display Central Coast Service Center Council showcases its work Continued from Page 48 Window to the Past English professor and member of the Faculty Association of Rancho Santiago Community College District Nidžara Pečenković has written her first picture book, Bus Ride to Nana and Dido's House. Inspired by the author 's hometown Bihać and illustrated by Bosnian artist Dalila Manso, the book tells of the adventures of a young boy as he travels by bus to visit his grandparents. Through the window he observes vibrant scenes of his family 's Bosnian hometown. Told in Bosnian and English, the story will delight children of all ages and touch the hearts of adults who have left their homeland behind. Lit From Within R A N C H O C I E L O , an alternative school in Monterey County, was the setting for the third annual Equity Reception held by CTA's Cen- tral Coast Service Center Council and its equity team in November. Guests included CTA members who enjoyed meals prepared by students in Rancho Cielo's exceptional culinary school. The event was a showcase for the service center, which assists local leaders with training, offers grants to attend CTA conferences, and empowers BIPOC members through equity work. CTA service centers also are conduits to information about events and programs such as NEA Representative Assembly and CTA's Ethnic Minority Early Identification & Development (EMEID) program. " We are continually putting on training for our local leaders," said Central Coast Service Center Chair Rosalyn Book. " This year we already held a Get Out the Vote training and a local CTA Board member Angela Der Ramos was among the speakers at the event. treasurers training." Upcoming trainings include Community Schools' budgets, school finance and special education. The reception was an opportunity to spotlight Ran- cho Cielo as well. In addition to the culinary school, Rancho Cielo boasts vocational programs like Agri- cultural Engineering and Construction (students were featured in the news for constructing small homes for the homeless). 47 J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 5 O