Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/649572
Maya Walker 31, library tech, Hayward High School, Association of Educational Office and Technical Employees Millennials may constantly post their thoughts, feelings and funny videos on social media, but don't be fooled, says Maya Walker. Along with the online frivolity and personal reflection is a groundswell of polit- ical activism. "Millennials are a lot smarter than most people think and may be the smartest generation ever. We have lots of energy. We are used to multitasking and mobilizing people for social justice issues. With our expertise in technology, we can bring tons of people into the streets." Walker used social media to urge others to join her in Washington, D.C. — physically and in spirit — when she and fellow CTA members rallied in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on Jan. 11 to show support for unionism and working families (see photo above). The rally occurred as justices heard oral arguments in Friedrichs v. CTA, which threatens to undermine the collective voice and bargaining rights of public employees across the nation. Walker thinks more millennials should be ushered into the CTA fold to strengthen the association. She sees millennials as "untapped resources" who are overlooked for a variety of reasons. "Millennials may still be in school or working on their degrees. They may have second jobs to work off student loans. They may have young children. When they go to a union gathering, they are not the loudest people in the room. They feel outnumbered, so they take a back seat." Ageism also plays a role, she believes. "There is a perception that since we're younger, we are not ready to be leaders," says Walker, a graduate of CTA's EMEID program, which prepares educators of color for union leadership. "But it's not true. We can play a strong role in our local unions. We bring a lot to the table." WE DIFFER FROM OTHER GENERATIONS… because we don't always plan to stay in one job until we retire. Money is not always our driving force. We came of age in an economic time when lots of folks were out of jobs and many jobs were moved overseas. We are not always about being individuals; we are about the broader world. WHEN IT COMES TO TECHNOLOGY… we don't always have the boundaries that the previous generations had between their personal life and work. It's harder for us to separate those things. We may not have the time or incli- nation to go to meetings, but we may be involved in other ways. We have a strong online presence. I WOULD LIKE FOR CTA… to reach out to millennials about our wants and needs and recognize the contribu- tions we can make to society and public education. I think it's imperative that CTA engages millennials. The future of public education depends on it. 20 cta.org