Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/812811
MARTY MEEDEN, a Palmdale Elementary Teach- ers Association (PETA) activist and CTA Board of Directors member, received the CTA Member Human Rights Award. Meeden is a fearless advo- cate for cultural awareness and all students of color. His impact on the Native community has been dramatic, and he has worked tirelessly to develop and implement community-based activ- ities involving CTA members, students, parents and other educational stakeholders. He has created educational materials and curriculum on minority issues and second language learners. Meeden is also the recipient of NEA's 2017 Leo Reano Memorial Award, which recognizes his lifelong work to enhance the education of American Indian/Alaska Native children and youth. KIM GERON, who teaches American politics, public policy, and race and ethnic politics at CSU East Bay, received the CTA Pacific Asian Amer- ican Human Rights Award. He is known in the East Bay for his role in getting New Haven Unified School District to rename Alvarado Middle School as Itliong-Veracruz Middle School after two labor leaders well known in the local Filipino-American community. The New Haven district is the first in the country to name a school after Filipino Americans — as a statement about courage, equality and human rights. Geron, a California Faculty Association member, continues to advocate for immigration rights and rights for undocumented students. OSCAR RAMOS, who worked in the fields with his family from the time he was 7 years old until he was legally able to work on his own, received the CTA Cesar Chavez "Sí Se Puede" (" Yes, We Can") Human Rights Award. Ramos' family moved from city to city until they settled in a labor camp in Hollister, and took part in protests led or supported by Cesar Chavez in Hollister, Salinas and Watsonville. Ramos graduated from UC Berkeley in 1996 and is a member of the Salinas Elementary Teachers Council. Now teaching mostly farmworkers' children, Ramos was the subject of a 2011 pro- file in the New York Times and was featured in the 2015 PBS documentary East of Salinas. He has made it his life's mission to help migrant students and families reach their dreams. E ight inspiring and dedicated educators from across the state are this year's recipients of the annual CTA Human Rights Awards. "e passion and sense of justice and community involvement that these educators all show inspire them to make a difference far beyond their class- rooms," says CTA President Eric Heins. "We honor their special work and dedication with these awards." e awardees were recognized March 4 at a luncheon at the CTA Equity and Human Rights Conference in San Jose. CTA's 2017 Human Rights Award Winners Photos by Mike Myslinski E educators rooms," dedication and CTA's Award Th E GR EA T 44 cta.org CTA & You