Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1537217
Swett, Continued from Page 35 Awards, Continued from Page 34 Burbank Teachers Associ- ation received the "Medium Chapter " award. Based in the San Fernando Valley with over 700 members, BTA met with their elected representatives during the last election cycle to advocate for educators and students, focusing on issues such as preventing member layoffs and stopping funding cuts. Chapter members mobilized for the reelection of Dr. Armond Aghakhanian for the Burbank school board and the passage of Measure ABC, a bond to renovate aging school facilities, and campaigned on behalf of city council incumbent Konstantine Anthony. The chapter continues to organize at all school sites with the creation of Battle Action Teams in preparation for future challenges. CTA/NEA-Retired Chico received the "Small Chap- ter " award. Located in the Northern Sacramento Valley with over 300 members, the local launched in 2016 and immediately established a Political Action Committee. It has since been involved in campaigns to support pro-education candidates and legislation. Most recently, in 2024 after extremists launched a well-funded campaign to win the majority of seats on the Chico Unified school board, Chico Unified Teachers Assn. and CTA/NEA-Retired Chico joined forces to recruit candidates, write 11,000 postcards and mobilize support for the endorsed candidates. The result: All three endorsed candidates won. CTA/NEA-Retired Chico is now poised to grow in strength with their coalition partners. MERIT WINNERS Best Feature Story or Series (Broadcast or Podcast) Mariana Dale, LAist, " Teachers Unions Often Pick Winning School Board Candidates. Will This LAUSD Election Be Different?" Best Student Journalism (in all forms) The Gamut, "Limited You: AUHSD Fails Its Students, Teachers, and Self " For more information about CTA's John Swett Awards for Media Excellence, visit cta.org/awards. Best News Story or Series (Broadcast or Podcast) Jessica Harrington, ABC30, "Senior Success Story: Atwater Grad Excels Despite Devastating Loss, Major Family Health Scare" and "Senior Success Story: Clovis North Senior Overcomes Housing Instability to Reach Graduation" Best News Story or Series (Print or Digital) Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, "LAUSD's Black Student Achievement Program Upended, Targeted by Conservative Virginia Group" Left to right: CTA Board Member Eva Ruiz; Anthony Misner from Yosemite Unified Teachers Assn., which nominated Jessica Harrington. 36 cta.org Our Union BTA President Nicole Drabecki CTA/NEA-Retired Chico President Deborah Burfeind