Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1535219
T H I S I S S U E I S full of our union members — you — meeting the moment. Our coverage shows how you are courageously stepping up to protect and defend your students, colleagues, communities and pub- lic education. In the face of enormous challenges and obstacles, your actions demonstrate an unshakeable determination to win. And win we must: Our current federal government leaders have made moves to cut school meals for kids, many of whom live in poverty and eat their only nutritious meal of the day at school. ey want to take away school services in special education, such as those for students with dyslexia and ADHD. e list of unfathomable harms to our stu- dents and communities, from allowing ICE onto school campuses to dismantling the Department of Education, increases by the day. Fortunately, and as always, you are responding boldly and bravely. Our story "Fighting Back" (page 16) describes educators and locals up and down the state using their organizing power to repel extremists targeting vulnerable communities. "Who is going to fight for you when you're under attack? We need to defend, protect and uplift each other, especially our most vulnerable," says Mikaela Magaña, Sanger Unified Teachers Assn. "We have to be present — I'm not going away and I'm not going to be quiet," says Alhambra Teachers Assn. member Javier Gutierrez. Our union is leading the charge against the attacks. "Our Fight for Schools" (page 24) features CTA delegations of local leaders and board members who met with members of Congress in April to demand their support for students and public education. Some elected officials, shamefully, did not respond to us even though they were on recess — a time dedicated to meeting with constituents. "Organizing to Save Educator Jobs" (page 36) and much of our Bar- gaining Roundup (page 40) concern our never-ending fight against educator layoffs. Despite a growing teacher shortage and shrinking teacher pipelines, more than 3,000 California educators were marked as expendable this year to meet school district budgets. Finally, our May 17 action "Fight for Schools" is an opportunity to make your outrage heard and demand an end to the ongoing insanity on a national stage. Join thousands of educators and allies in multiple cities around the state who will rally against the heinous directives and policies that stand to shatter our schools and communities. "Don't wait to get active because it's already a scary time," urges Luis Benvenutti, Palo Verde Teachers Assn., in our "Fighting Back" story. It is beyond time to meet the moment. Katharine Fong E D I T O R I N C H I E F editor@cta.org Meeting the Moment C A L I F O R N I A P U B L I C S C H O O L S : Home to All Students Our 2025 Day of the Teacher poster — pictured here, and at the back of this magazine and on the cover — showcases educators' work with and for our students. The theme, "California Public Schools: Home to All Students," underscores how our educators — including nurses, ESPs and all school staff — welcome and nurture every student, and fight for what's best for them. We hope you enjoy the poster, by artist Mer Young, and post it in your classroom, school hallway or other public areas. Read more about it on the back page. 6 cta.org E D I T O R ' S N O T E