Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1544915
Adrian Tamayo CÉSAR E. CHÁVEZ AND DOLORES HUERTA "SÍ SE PUEDE" HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD A special education teacher at Lorena Street Elementary, Adrian Tamayo is committed to ensuring that every student — regardless of background or ability — has access to an engaging and inclusive educa- tion. He has been a steadfast union leader and organizer in United Teachers Los Angeles East Area for more than two decades, advancing equity and justice for educators, students and families. His work reflects the heart of Chávez and Huerta's legacy: education as empowerment and orga- nizing as love in action. Tamayo founded and leads the Lorena Street Rock Band, which lets students express themselves through music while building confidence and community pride. The band performs at school and community events, serving as a symbol of creative inclusion and student empowerment. He has served 15 years on United Teachers Los Angeles' East Area Board of Directors, including the past nine as East Area Chair, where he is respected for his calm, principled and inclusive leadership style. He played a pivotal role as part of team in UTLA's landmark 2019 strike, serving on the bargaining team that advanced a "Bargaining for the Common Good" platform and helping forge strong alliances with parents and com- munity organizations. The resulting contract secured smaller class sizes, expanded bilingual resources, and strengthened special education supports — major gains for historically underserved students across LA. He also helped lead the 2023 solidarity strike, reinforcing union unity and cross-sec- tor collaboration. In 2013, when his school faced an abrupt co-location, Tamayo mobilized more than 100 parents, educators and students within days, launching a grassroots defense campaign. He cultivated lasting partnerships with local advocacy organizations, uniting labor and community voices to defend public education in Boyle Heights and East LA. Tamayo serves as a delegate to CTA State Council, vice chair of its Special Education Committee, and a longtime representative to NEA. His union work reflects a lifelong commitment to dignity, justice and the belief that when edu- cators, families and communities stand together, meaningful change is possible. Dr. Malinda L. Hurley CTA MEMBER HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD Dr. Malinda L. Hurley is an educator, union leader and community advocate whose work centers on equity, public education and the empowerment of historically marginal- ized communities. A member of Ontario-Montclair Teachers Association and a middle school English Language Arts educator, Dr. Hurley is committed to nurturing students while promoting the teaching profession. Through her work with multiple CTA programs and committees, she actively encourages young people to pursue careers in public edu- cation, mentoring future educators and demonstrating the importance of strong public schools and educator advocacy. As a CTA State Council and NEA Representative Assembly delegate, Dr. Hurley brings forward issues affecting educators and vulnerable student populations, including introducing child welfare resolutions focused on foster youth. Her commitment to education is deeply personal. Having grown up in the foster care system, Dr. Hurley found stability and inspiration in public school classrooms. This experience motivated her to become an educator and ultimately earn a doctorate in educational leadership. Her dissertation, "How Resilience Plays a Role in Former Foster Youths' Success in Higher Education," reflects her ongoing dedication to sup- porting students facing adversity. At her school, Dr. Hurley advises the Student Trust and Resilience (STAR) Scholars Foster Youth Club and an Equity Squad that promotes cultural awareness, diversity and inclusion. Through these efforts she helps students understand the importance of civic engagement, civil rights and the role of unions in advocating for educators and students alike. Dr. Hurley also builds meaningful family, school and com- munity partnerships as an Alta Loma School District Board trustee, where she is currently vice president. She assisted in creating Alta Loma district's Foster Youth Advisory Committee to monitor foster youth students. She holds an annual Girl Empowerment Luncheon, Winter Wonderland and other events in the district that support and provide resources for foster youth, homeless students and families in need. She mentors youth through the non-profit Simply Friends; this work led her to be invited to the United Nations in New York. 32 cta.org Feature