Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1533049
Below are campaign statements of candidates for CTA officers in the April 2025 State Council elections. The statements are unedited and limited to 400 words. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed are those of the candidates and not necessarily those of CTA and NEA. As public-school educators, we hold the key to unlocking the hopes and dreams of our students and in engag- ing our communities in a way that is truly transformative. This is why I became a classroom teacher. Like you, I wanted to make a difference. I have been active in my local from the very start of my career. From Site Representative, Executive Board member, Vice President and President, I have dedicated myself to working hard on behalf of our dues-paying mem- bers. This has expanded into Service Center Chair, NEA Director and CTA Director. I am currently teaching full-time high school Algebra and Geometry. This has helped to pre- pare me to be your next CTA President. Our members are the life blood of CTA and the power behind our union. I have always advocated for member engagement and listening to diverse voices. Together, we can create a stronger, more effective CTA — where every member has access and opportunity to gain experience professionally and to become effective leaders. We can strengthen our resolve by committing to the union values underscored in the CTA Organizing Plan. This is how we build stronger local chapter governance, organize our mem- bers and build bridges within our communities. For my community, I am a lifelong resident of Fremont in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. My father taught social science in the Fremont Unified School District, my mother was a registered nurse, and my older brother and I attended our public schools. After earning both a degree in biology and a teaching credential from Cal Poly Humboldt in Northern California, I returned home and was hired by my hometown school district as a middle school science and high school math teacher and am now in my 35th year. As your CTA President, I will fight for our vision of a strong union and be an active proponent for public education. I will use my energy and enthusiasm for our profession to do whatever it takes to get the job done. I am passionate about advocating for our members and our students. I will fight against anyone whose goals are to destroy public education. Lastly, I commit to building a cohesive team with the Officers and the Board of Directors to meet the challenges that lie ahead. No matter where you educate students in California, I will represent you. As a third-generation teacher, it has been the biggest professional honor of my life to be your CTA President. I have spent more than a decade serving CTA members. Witnessing the incredible work that CTA members do, guided by the love for our students, in every corner of our state inspires me to no end. As a CTA officer, I have worked hard to ensure that the voices of everyone have been included in CTA's democratic processes and will continue that work. It is at our schools and worksites, after all, where our real power lies, and I have been committed to uplifting how critical it is that our resources are used to build on our collective power. In my first term we have invested millions of dollars in local unions through organizing grants, building coalitions in locals across California, supporting efforts to fight layoffs, working tirelessly to build truly transformational community schools. I know many of us are looking ahead to 2025 — many with mixed emotions. I can't help but reflect on the power of our union and what we've accomplished together in 2024. In this election season alone, we knocked on 500,000 doors and talked to voters in communities across California — from small towns to big cities. What we heard on the front porches of Californians is as true today as it was yesterday: we all prioritize the well-being of our students and communi- ties. We are prepared to stand up against any attacks on our students, public education, workers' rights and our broader communities that may come. We're committed to fight for the future we all deserve. As a union of 310,000 educators, we have the strength to fight for our students, our schools and our communities. As President, I will stay committed to modeling Respon- sive Leadership, developing Strong Locals, Fighting for Improved Classroom Conditions, and Building Strong Com- munity Alliances for Economic and Racial Justice from the smallest chapters to our largest urbans. The last few years have reminded us of the enormity of the struggles ahead. Together we can build a union that increases worksite power, solidarity and collective action across locals, and broad multi-racial coalitions within our communities in order to win what we all deserve. Now it is up to us to continue to win over our colleagues to becoming active members in our union. Let's build this union together! Candidate for CTA President Greg Bonaccorsi Member, Fremont Unified District Teachers Association; immediate past CTA Director, District B (2015–2024) Candidate for CTA President David Goldberg Member, United Teachers Los Angeles; CTA President 51 M A R C H 2 0 2 5 Goldberg Bonaccorsi