Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1544915
A Fighter for Public Education CTA endorses Richard Barrera for Superintendent of Public Instruction B Y L I S T E N I N G T O and working alongside educators and pri- oritizing the needs of classroom teachers, and by listening to students and community, Richard Barrera has helped transform San Diego Unified School District into one of the highest-per- forming districts in the country. Now running for California State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) and endorsed by our union, Barrera's vast expe- rience as president and trustee on the SDUSD school board and as a labor and community organizer before that should serve him well on the statewide stage. He views the SPI role as an organizer who builds coalitions between educa- tors, parents and local school boards to create solutions. e local level, he says, is where the most impactful education decisions are made. " The way that I would perform the role as state superintendent is to not be spending a lot of time in Sacramento," he told one news outlet. "It's to be out, build- ing relationships with local communities, helping them imagine what's possible and bringing together coalitions that can actually move things and make real progress." His work in San Diego and with the San Diego Education Association (SDEA) was key in our union's decision to recom- mend him as SPI. "His solidarity and deep commitment to public schools have achieved lower class sizes, created opportunities for more bilin- gual instruction, and expanded science and career pathways in San Diego and beyond," said CTA President David Goldberg. "His leadership proves that when you partner with educators, students win." CTA Board Member Kisha Borden, former SDEA president, says that "Richard was a true partner and co-architect of the transformation of San Diego schools. Under his leadership, rooted in the belief that educator working conditions are stu- dent learning conditions, we raised base pay by over 40% while protecting fully paid family health benefits. Together, we also transformed over 50 schools into community schools which depend on shared leadership that includes educators, families, administrators and the community." e statewide direct primary election, which includes the SPI, takes place on June 2. Experience with com- munity and union work As the son of immigrants, Barrera grew up understanding that public schools are the great equalizer in American society. He also understood that unions provided work with dignity and were a pathway for many to achieve success in life. In San Diego, he worked with residents of high-poverty neigh- borhoods to improve affordable housing, access to living-wage jobs and civic participation. He spent years organizing domestic workers, health care workers and nurses fighting for economic and social justice. As a leader of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, he led the effort to increase the min- imum wage and provide paid sick days to over 200,000 San Diego workers. Barrera has a record of working with educators and prioritizing classroom teachers' needs. "Barrera's solidarity and deep commitment to public schools have achieved lower class sizes, created opportunities for more bilingual instruction, and expanded science and career pathways. His leadership proves that when you partner with educators, students win." —CTA President David Goldberg 49 S P R I N G 2 0 26 Our Union