Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1539593
facebook.com/wearecta @WeAreCTA youtube.com/californiateachers @WeAreCTA WeAreCTA @wearecta.bsky.social #WeAreCTA For our full social media directory, see cta.org/social. L E T U S K N O W W H A T Y O U T H I N K . We accept signed email and letters; we excerpt user posts from CTA social media platforms and cta.org/educator. Content subject to editing for clarity and space. Photos must have permissions. Opinions expressed by writers are not necessarily those of CTA. Editor@cta.org; #WeAreCTA Defend Democracy and Public Education Vote Yes on Prop. 50 on — or before — Nov. 4 O N N O V . 4 , California will hold a special election, and your vote matters. Proposition 50 — the Election Rigging Response Act — is California's bold response to unprecedented redistricting efforts led by Texas and other states working with the Trump administration. These efforts are designed to consolidate power and maintain control of Congress after the 2026 midterm elections — all to slash funding for public education, health care and essential services while providing tax cuts for billionaires. (See story on page 28.) Why does It matter to union educators? Congressional Republicans are attempting to rig elections specifically to cut funding for public education and services for our communities. Critical funding for special education, school meals for hungry children, and other essential programs have already been slashed and jeopardized. Now is the time for us to stand together and fight back against the nine members of Congress in California who threw our students under the bus and voted to cut critical funds for public education. (See story on page 24.) Volunteer to win Passing the Election Rigging Response Act will take a major effort. Our union has up-to-date volunteer opportunities — visit cta.org/prop50. Check out the Stop Election Rigging page at stopelectionrigging.com for more ways to take action. And tear out the mini-poster on the inside back cover of this magazine to post where all can see and take action. GPO/WEP Repeal I'm a second-career special education teacher. This year I enter my 29th year as an educator and will retire in June of 2026 at the age of 63. This would not have been possible without the repeal of WEP [Windfall Elimination Plan — part of the Social Security Fairness Act signed into law in early 2025]. I want to thank CTA for being part of the fight to repeal WEP. I would have had to work at least an additional three years. As a single woman having a secure retirement is of the upmost importance. OPAL LYNN JOHNSON Associated Pomona Teachers 3 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 5 U P F R O N T