Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1535219
" Make sure to rest whenever you can, surround yourself with community and do things that sustain the fight. Understand that everyone's collective effort will make the difference we want to see and will prevent us from regressing as a society." — Mikaela Magaña, SUTA " Find like-minded organizations in your community who can join you — there's strength in numbers. Have a strong active Political Action Committee. When we elect school board members who are willing to do what's best for students and not push extremist policies, we can build power to protect our students." — Jose Rodriguez, SMEEA " People come all the time to visit our Dream Centers and they think they can put one together easily, but that's not how it happens. It's a long-term grassroots campaign. If we really want to effect change, it's going to take a long time, and a lot of dedication and support. We don't leave — we stay dedicated and true to the fight. We aren't silent. We speak up and get involved." — Javier Gutierrez, ATA " Get involved. We have 100% of our teachers as members in our union, but unfortunately not 100% participate. Engage your members and show them how ongoing issues affect them, directly or indirectly." — Luis Benvenutti, PV TA Mikaela Magaña, Sanger Unified Teachers Association nationally by Trump, who signed an executive order directing the destruction of the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Many educa- tors fear this is the beginning of attacks on students with disabilities and special education — ED is responsible for funding and oversight of these programs across the country, and for stepping in when states don't provide these students with a fair and appropriate public educa- tion as legally required. California receives about $8 billion in federal funding annually, in addition to $2.1 billion in Title I grants to ensure students living in poverty have access to support to help them succeed. Benvenutti says educators need to sound the alarm and defend ED and our students. "It has to start with educating the vast majority of the population about how what they're doing is wrong, not just legally but also morally and ethically, and that kids aren't getting what they deserve," he says. "at's how we can make some movement. We know that the next four years are going to be nonsense, so we need to do what we can to fight back." PRO TIPS for Supporting Students Under Attack Special Series This is the first in a series of stories on educators fighting back against extremist policies that harm our students. 21 M AY 2 0 2 5