Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1544915
L A S T Y E A R , W E wrote about California public schools whose dire conditions exposed children and adults to asbestos, mold, unsafe drinking water and more. One of those was in Richmond, where United Teachers of Rich- mond members organized and filed a lawsuit against West Contra Costa Unified under the Williams Act, which guarantees all students equal access to instruc- tional materials, safe facilities and qualified teachers. While the school closed abruptly following an inspec- tion, the lawsuit also addressed the lack of "Qualified Teachers in Ever y Classroom" (page 45). In March 2026, a state appeals court found that the district had broken the law by not exhausting all options to fill teacher vacancies; students instead endured years of uncertified substitutes. e outcome is a victory not only for UTR but for all educators and students. Other wins have been more visible: The We Can't Wait campaign over the past six months has shown that when educators have gone on strike or come close to striking — up and down the state, in locals big and small — they've made major gains in wages and health care, resources for students and improved teaching and learn- ing conditions. Check out our recap "When We Strike, We Win!" (page 17). And because we can't wait any longer, our locals and members hustled to help qualify the Prop. 55 permanent extension on the November ballot ("We Did It!", page 27). As part of a collective effort, our union helped gather far more signatures than needed before the deadline and will kick into high gear to get out the votes to pass it. Signs from the heart, during the Little Lake strike. Fighting — and Winning — on All Fronts Our union's legislative fight has ramped up as well. In the effort to "Fully Fund Our Schools" (page 36), our 2026–27 legislative platform demands funding and fairness for educators, students and public schools — now. From increased revenues for schools and communities to expanding the Community Schools model to achieving paid preg- nancy leave for educators and strengthening the teacher pipeline, our issues are clear and stark: We must take legislative actions to ensure our students' and society's future. In the courts, on the streets, at the State Capitol and at the ballot box, this issue of the Educator is all about members — you — fighting and winning. ere is much more to celebrate in these pages as well, from CTA ESP of the Year Daniel "Jokie" Ryan ("Paraeducator Lifts Voice for Students, Union Colleagues," page 13) to our incredible Human Rights Award winners ("Celebrating Change Makers," page 30) to our CTA/ NEA-Retired chapters stepping up to assist where needed ("Solidarity Forever," page 28). We also celebrate the power of art, and the power of artful messaging, that arises from our struggle and graces our work — such as the poster at the back of this issue that honors teachers, nurses and ESPs (page 57), as well as the creative and often beautiful one-off signage that adds color and heart to what we do. Happy Spring! Katharine Fong E D I T O R I N C H I E F editor@cta.org 6 cta.org E D I T O R ' S N O T E