Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/556394
SUMMER INSTITUTE CTA's Summer Institute at UCLA Conference Center Aug. 2-6 drew 1,000 educators from across the state. These chapter leaders participated in hands-on trainings and activities to help with day-to-day representation and support of members, and heard from leaders such as CTA President Eric Heins and Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom. Sessions led by content experts covered communications, instruction and professional development, community engagement, leadership, bargaining, school finance, health care benefits and issues, legal issues, and CTA member benefits. Members hard at work at a Communications Strand workshop. PRESIDENTS C ONFERENCE CTA's 61st annual Presidents Conference took place July 16-19 at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose. It brought together new chapter presidents with seasoned veterans to discuss the importance of engaging local membership, ways to expand diversity, and their role in shaping the transformation of public education and their students' future. Trainings and workshops honed leadership and organizing skills. Kristie Iwamoto, Napa Valley College Faculty Association, and Elias Escamilla, Mt. San Jacinto College Faculty Association. NEA REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY More than 7,000 educators from across the country gathered in Orlando, Florida, July 1-6 to attend the National Education Association's 94th Representative Assembly (RA). With this year's theme — "NEA: Unite. Inspire. Lead" — delegates took on complex issues including the future of testing and equity in education. California sends about 900 delegates to the NEA RA each summer. CTA members help set NEA policy and chart its direction through their work on various committees, constituencies, caucuses and leadership groups. California delegates at the 2015 NEA RA. Photo by Scott Iskowitz. CTA's summer conferences offer great opportunities to learn new skills, discuss key issues, network with colleagues and leaders, and map out the year — and beyond. These specialized gatherings are annual affairs, so plan ahead for 2016. SUMMER CONFERENCE WRAP-UP Members, leaders come together to focus on action 56 cta.org CTA & You