Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/458422
Participating in a skit about how to deal with aggressive insurance agents are Sharon Turner, Compton EA; Jacqueline Coleman and Deanna Glover, Corning High School Cal-ESP; Marion Barry, Antelope Valley TA; and J. Manuel Carcido, United Teachers of Pasadena. Monica Robles, Lindsay Teachers Association, says: "The most interesting session, I thought, was the CTA/NEA member benefits session. There are so many benefits that we get for being part of this great organization, from discounts to small life insurance to free magazines that we can use in our classrooms. My 'aha!' moment occurred during the session on building and maintaining relationships with school board members. It had never crossed my mind that we needed to get to know our board members to work together for what's best for all of our learners. I assumed most teachers think of their board members as being 'the enemy,' when in fact we have to keep in mind that we are all here for the same reason — the kids!" Karen Brown, Las Virgenes Classified Association, says: "What did I not learn? The Robert Reich film Inequality for All was amazing. I didn't realize the breaks the 1 percent were receiving or how middle- or lower-income people are stagnating. I enjoyed the technology and social media because I'm such a beginner. It was a good overview of what I can decide to use for myself and for my local." T H E C T A I S S U E S C O N F E R E N C E , held in January in Las Vegas, provided the opportunity for some 850 educators from rural, urban and education support professional (ESP) local chapters to learn, share, strategize and recon- nect with colleagues. There were sessions with topics of interest to each of the three groups, as well as topics on common interests, such as implementation of the Common Core State Standards, health care and legal challenges, funding student needs through the Local Control Funding Formula, technol- ogy for education and organizing, and planning for retirement. Local chapter leaders learned how to help mem- bers with numerous issues, form a retirement committee, have a localized CalSTRS or CalPERS workshop for unit members, and access the plethora of resources available at ctainvest.org. Issues Conference brings together members with diverse interests Participants say the conference is entertaining, informative and relevant CTA & You Conferences 53 V O L U M E 1 9 I S S U E 6