Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/42291
MAKING A DIFFERENCE President Vogel on the issues Testing: "High-stakes testing is driven by monetary interests, and it should not be the vehicle that drives pedagogy. We're on the wrong track, and there's no other way to say it. High-stakes testing has narrowed curriculum to a few core subjects, when we need a comprehensive curriculum to compete in a global economy." Tax fairness: "For too long, California has relied on mostly short-term solutions to our budget problems, and short-term solutions haven't done us any long-term favors. The health of California's public schools depends on stable tax revenues. It's time to demand action to restore fair- ness to the system and make sure every- one is paying their fair share." State budget: "While we were able to stabilize funding for K-12 schools, this is a difficult budget containing painful cuts to higher education, health care, public safety and other programs." Meet Dean Vogel CTA's new president is a team-builder DEAN VOGEL'S OLDEST daughter had a serious expression on her face when, on her 18th birthday, she said, "Dad, I have something important to tell you." Like any father, he gulped and prepared for the worst. "I registered to vote," she told him. "And I registered Republican." "I'm so proud you registered to vote!" he said, hugging her. "That's wonderful!" Now the mother of seven, she is still a Republican, and so is her husband. After years of avoiding political discussions, his son-in-law looked Vogel in the eye one day and said, "I can't stand it anymore; I have to talk politics to you. You are the kind of man I want to be. How in the world could you be a Democrat?" Laughing, Vogel says the story illustrates what he brings to the table as the new presi- dent of CTA — the ability to accept differing points of view and not make politics per- sonal. When members disagree with him at CTA conferences, he thanks them for hav- 26 California Educator / September 2011 ing the courage to stand up for their convic- tions and look him in the eye while doing so. "I guess you could say that this is what makes me tick." As CTA members, educators learn to focus more on the issues in a debate than on the political persuasion of the debaters, says Vogel. "When there are troubles, it's easy to play the blame game. Right now we are in a very harsh environment with one side pit- ted against the other. But there is hope." The battle for equitable school funding will continue, he adds, because additional reve- nues and a fair tax structure are needed to create a better future for students and Califor- nia. As the son of a farmhand and a waitress, Vogel observes that he might not have had access to higher education if he were growing up in California today. His father quit school in the eighth grade to work on the farm and help take care of his family. His mother, a high school graduate, worked two jobs and took care of three children. "Like lots of poor folks, we didn't really feel poor. My parents did a good job of providing for us." His father, a promising baseball player before a tractor accident injured his hand, taught his son how to play ball. Vogel learned the dynamics of being a team player and developed a "cannon arm" as a catcher. He played baseball at Mount San Antonio Junior College and worked in a semipro league before transferring to California Polytech- nic State University. He fully expected to be drafted into the big leagues. But then, like his father, he broke his leſt hand and ended a promising career. Once he couldn't play, he threw himself into academics, immersing himself in the social sciences, opening his eyes to social injustice in the world and the struggles of ethnic minorities. Cal Poly political sci- ence professors took him under their wing and engaged him in political discussions. Their encouragement was a big influence in his life. They helped him learn the primary