Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/229155
editor's Note Two fonts walk into a bar... The bartender says, "We don't serve your type here." I love humor. Highbrow, lowbrow, hyperbolic, witty, self-deprecating, laughat-life, and yes, even bathroom humor. I'm not much into humor at others' expense, but slapstick comedy? Absolutely. Laughter is infectious. It's good for you, too, as an antidote to stress, pain and conflict. I think that'll be my New Year's resolution — more humor. I'm starting early by reading how educators use humor in the classroom (page 19) to help students learn. D E PA RT M E N T S Know&Tell Know & Tell introduces useful and fun tips and provides the latest on scholarships, grants and resources. Perspectives Perspectives amplifies members' voices and includes the ever-popular Point/Counterpoint series, plus guest columns, and book and movie reviews. Advocacy Advocacy showcases the great work of CTA members in the bargaining, member rights and legislative arenas. Learning Learning highlights members' best practices and practical advice and showcases education trends. CTA&You CTA & You covers all things CTA, including events such as State Council, trainings and conferences, plus member benefits and services. Topics inside this magazine to make you beam include the smartphone apps for educators (page 14) and the moving documentary about a day in the life of the Pasadena school district (page 24). And smile with pride reading about the gratifying success and enhanced learning occurring at 400 schools supported by the Quality Education Investment Act (page 50). CTA is the reason for that school improvement. CTA is also the reason for the "Dream School" (page 38), a model for changing school culture by building on students' strengths. Anaheim Elementary Education Association members helped make it possible with a grant from CTA's Institute for Teaching. Would you like to know more about CTA's plans for the future? CTA has developed a long-term strategic plan to meet the many challenges facing public education. You're invited to participate in a January 7 Telephone Town Hall to discuss the plan and learn about the opportunities it presents. Find details on page 5. We like to profile CTA's amazing members, and this month is no different. See what a San Francisco school social worker's day involves (page 42), and meet the Student CTA president who is, well, different. Smart and proactive, to be sure, and not what I expected (page 23). And if you haven't met Assembly Member Susan Bonilla (page 30), you are missing something. She is one of a growing number of educators who serve in the California Legislature. In the advocacy arena, read about corporations funding PR campaigns and litigation attacking your due process protections (page 36). CTA is standing up for your rights, of course. Stalwart members in Alpine, Denair, Yuba City and Woodland are fighting for professional contracts at the bargaining table and on the streets (page 34). And see how community college adjunct faculty are demanding equity on page 32. Now, I believe teaching is the grandparent of all professions and (as you'll see on page 10) a family business. Enjoy reading about families with generations of teachers as you prepare for the holidays. For me, that means thinking up entertaining "groaners" for my relatives. Personally, I avoid clichés like the plague. Cynthia Menzel EDITOR IN CHIEF editor@cta.org Read about the rest of the story online! Read behind-the-scenes stories in the California Educator at blog.cta.org, and see additional photos from stories in this magazine at cta.org/educator. 8 Educator 12 Dec 2013 v2.0 int.indd 8 DE C E M B E R 2013 | JANUARY 2014 12/14/13 3:32 PM