Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/776907
T O S T R E N G T H E N T H E I R local chapter, members of the Temecula Valley Educators Association (T VEA) w orked w ith Tem e cul a Val l ey Unif i ed S cho ol D i s- tr i c t ( T V U SD ) t o re c o g n i z e n e a rly 1 0 0 g ra d u a t e s who have joined the profession and taken teaching positions in T VUSD. This special group of alumni was honored before a district meeting on Nov. 15. Every returning educator received a certificate acknowledging their status as a former graduate of the district and thanks from school board members and superintendents for their commit- ment to the local education community. For Michelle Truax, who attended Temecula Valley High School when it opened in 1985 and graduated in 1988, the ceremony was an opportunity to share her thanks for the exceptional public school education she received. "Temecula is a special place, and that's why I chose to bring my kids up here and become a teacher," she said. TVEA President Jeff Kingsberg explained that the chapter's immediate goal was to recognize those who are giving back in serving the students of the district from where they graduated, noting that these are "community leaders who will drive our schools forward for the next 15 to 30 years." Th e event al so ser ved as an auth entic relation- ship-building opportunity that celebrated member commitment and educator impact. LCAP forum TVEA has also taken a leadership role in the Local Con- trol and Accountability Plan (LCAP) process, by hosting a community forum for parents and educators at Mar- garita Middle School in early December. The 50-plus attendees were reminded that school districts must arrive at their LCAP through public meet- ings with stakeholders. LCAPs need to align with eight priorities designated by the state, which involve indica- tors such as graduation rates, readiness for college and careers, progress of English learners, suspension rates, and math and English language arts assessments for grades 3-8. e LCAP outlines not only how progress will be measured against local goals, but also how funding will be spent. TVEA used CTA's Advocacy Agenda in developing the program and focused on several key areas: A well-rounded education. On hand to meet with parents and community stakeholders were more than a dozen LCAP specialists in areas such as PE, visual and performing arts, literacy, and mathematics. Teaching all students. A breakout session focused on instructional needs for English learners, to ensure these students have equal opportunity to gain skills needed for school success. Family and community engagement. Food and refreshments were ser ved to students and families before the forum commenced; TVEA members partici- pated with parents in breakout sessions and discussion groups. "It is our duty as the closest link to students and par- ents in the public education system to engage them in the discussion of local community needs and priorities," said Kingsberg. "I'm pleased our members are engaged in steps to put the 'local' into our district's Local Control and Accountability Plan." TVEA is considering a follow-up session this spring. Local Educators Make Good Temecula Valley chapter celebrates graduates-turned- returning teachers By Ed Sibby TVEA and the school district honor former students who are now teachers at local schools. 55 January / February 2017