Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1533049
Cesar E. Chavez and Dolores Huerta "Si Se Puede" Human Rights Award Awarded to a CTA member whose activities have helped to achieve significant progress on behalf of equal opportunity for Hispanics/Latinos/Chicanos. Ron Gochez HIGH SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER United Teachers Los Angeles Ron Gochez embodies dedication to education, social justice and commu- nity empowerment. As a teacher at LA's Maya Angelou High School and advisor to the MEChA club, he has mentored thousands of students, fostering pride in their cultural heritage and active citizenship. In his classroom and beyond, Gochez consistently delivers a culturally relevant curricu- lum that uplifts the histories, identities and contributions of Indigenous, Latina/o/x and Chicana/o/x communities. By integrating culturally affirming materials and pedagogy, he ensures that students see themselves reflected in their education. His work extends to professional development for educators, helping colleagues adopt inclusive and equitable teaching practices that resonate with diverse learners. A significant milestone in Gochez's career is his involve- ment in the 2014 resolution that established Ethnic Studies as a graduation requirement for the LA Unified School District. This initiative positioned LAUSD among the first districts nationwide to recognize the need for an inclusive curriculum that reflects diverse voices and histories, enhanc- ing students' understanding of their identities and promoting healthy dialogue among communities. A 20-year teacher and passionate advocate for academic freedom, Gochez defends the rights of educators to teach truthfully and encourages teachers to resist pressures that may seek to dilute their curricula. He has been a steadfast advocate of immigrant families, taking bold steps to shield his community from the threat of ICE raids. He has collaborated with local organizations to establish rapid response networks and legal assistance pro- grams, ensuring vulnerable community members have the support they need during moments of crisis. His efforts have fostered a sense of security and solidarity, empowering fami- lies to remain united and thrive despite external challenges. Gochez excels in promoting solidarity among Black and Brown communities, recognizing their shared struggles. Through community engagement initiatives, he cultivates understanding and respect, empowering students to cele- brate differences while uniting for common goals. Gochez's legacy is testament to the transformative power of education and the importance of standing up for justice and equality. CTA Member Human Rights Award Awarded to an individual who has promoted human and civil rights in areas such as building meaningful family, school and community partnerships and helping eradicate discrimination at their school site. Oscar Pinto 8TH GRADE TEACHER El Monte Elementary Teachers Assn. (EMETA) Among his many efforts for students, schools and his communities, Oscar Pinto helped create an Ethnic Studies proposal in his district with a more inclusive and diverse curriculum. He recently co-created an Equity and Human rights team in his local to help advocate for it and his school district's diverse population. Pinto has specifically focused on providing support to students who are newcomers and those who are part of the LGBTQ+ community by offering a safe space during lunchtime. Students and staff know they can count on him to advocate for social justice, speak up, hold others accountable and be a good friend and listener. As well as teaching and serving as EMETA secretary, Pinto is an advocate and organizer for environmental justice. He works with various organizations such as the Clean Air Coalition to combat environmental racism in La Puente and surrounding communities. He has held workshops and spoken at public hearings to voice his concerns against a toxic battery smelter in Industry, CA, educating communities nearby about lead, arsenic and the dangers of other heavy metals and ways people can mitigate exposure or remediate contaminated soil. For the past few years, he has volunteered to collect soil samples from houses within a two-mile radius of the smelter. These and other samples are transported to and tested at a University of Southern California lab; results are mailed back to each resident. (Pinto helped secure a $10,000 grant to pay for testing.) Pinto then clearly and concisely communicates with community members about their results and what they can do if their soil is contaminated. Pinto ties his environmental and social justice work with the work he does as a union leader and classroom teacher. He promotes critical thinking in his classroom and encour- ages students to be advocates for their community and to be agents of social change — and models this important work himself. 39 M A R C H 2 0 2 5