Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1539593
Denise Bradford DISTRICT N A member of Saddleback Valley Educators Assn., where she held positions from site rep to president, Bradford has worked at all school levels including adult education, giving her a unique perspective of students and educators' changing needs and challenges. She has been an English Language Development specialist, student teacher mentor, Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment support pro- vider, technology coordinator, school curriculum leader and member of CTA's Teacher Leadership Cohort and Instruc- tional Leadership Corps. Bradford chaired the State Council Retirement Committee, leading to her election as California State Teachers Retirement System trustee, representing Kâ12 teachers. Fun fact: Bradford was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to teach English in Vienna, Austria. Gregory Abt DISTRICT O Abt has more than a quarter century of experience as an educator. He currently teaches social science/history within the Special Education department at Beaumont High School in Riverside County. He served as site rep, vice president and seven years as president of Beaumont Teachers Assn. At State Council, Abt became vice chair of the Special Education Committee after serving as chair of the Legislation subcommittee. Fun fact: Abt is an accomplished cook who owned a cater- ing company for 13 years. Kisha Borden DISTRICT P Veteran elementary educator Borden grew up in San Diego, graduated from San Diego public schools, and began teach- ing in 1996 at a school not far from where she was raised â and where she still teaches. She served as a site rep for 10 years, and board member, treasurer, vice president and pres- ident of San Diego Education Assn. She served on SDEA's bargaining team and member engagement committee; for her activism, SDEA honored her with a WHO Award. Borden has served 12 years each as a State Council delegate and NEA RA delegate. Fun fact: Kisha and her husband love to travel and have visited six continents. DeWayne Sheaffer DISTRICT Q Sheaffer has worked at Long Beach City College in the Counseling and Student Development department since 1996. He has served in several leadership capacities while at LBCC, including president of Long Beach City College Fac- ulty Assn., and LBCC department chair, transfer coordinator and career services coordinator. His motivation to support and protect the collective bargaining process stems from an early experience picketing at his father 's workplace during a strike; he was inspired by employees doing all they could during negotiations, including going on strike, to ensure their voices were heard. Fun fact: Sheaffer just completed 10 years as president of the National Council for Higher Education. Grant Schuster CTA/NEA COORDINATOR Middle school teacher Schuster is in his third year as CTA/ NEA Coordinator and fifth year serving CTA on the NEA Board. He works to provide locals with access to the pro- gram, staff and monetary resources of CTA and NEA to support local organizing and coalition building. As president of Anaheim Secondary Teachers Assn. for six years, he built organizational power through strong school sites and rela- tionships with students, parents and community. He helped the California Alliance for Community Schools organize its collective power to fight privatization and promote the reimagination of public schools. Fun fact: Schuster can often be found at LA Kings hockey games or a goth music concert. Angela Der Ramos AT-LARGE Der Ramos is an elementary teacher and member of Alisal Teachers Assn. Her leadership roles have included NEA Board Director, CTA liaison to the State Board of Education, CTA Instructional Leadership Corps member, and CTA Human Rights Cadre trainer. Der Ramos was a former school board member for Salinas Elementary School District, and a current trustee for Hartnell Community College. Recognition for her service includes the State WHO Award, a CTA Com- munications Award for social media engagement, and a local Lighthouse Teacher award. Fun fact: Der Ramos has more books and pets than she needs. Robert Ellis AT-LARGE Ellis has been an elementary teacher for over two decades and a member of the United Teachers of Richmond, CTA/ NEA. He has served as an executive board member and vice president, and chaired the bargaining and organizing teams. He was elected to State Council for more than 18 years, where he chaired a policy committee and chaired the CTA African American Caucus. He served on the NEA Board of Directors. He is currently the Treasurer of the NEA Black Caucus and the vice president of the Bayside Council of PTAs. His honors include CTA's Lois Tinson Human Rights Award, and local and state WHO Awards. Fun fact: Ellis is president of the Bay Area Girls Club. 50 cta.org Our Union