Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/812811
" I l e a r n e d f ro m v e r y c o m p e t e n t j o u r - n e y m e n n o t only ab o ut c on str u c ti on , but how to be professional and conduct my s e l f . Af t e r a t i m e , I w a n t e d t o g iv e b a c k t o t h e i n d u st r y t h a t t re a t e d m e so well, and decided the best way to do that was teaching." Hernandez encourages hi s students to seek union jobs. He believes the best workers are union because they are profes- sional and well-trained. He takes his class on tours of union apprenticeship training centers on a monthly basis. While some businesses think hiring non- union workers saves money, Hernandez believes the opposite is true. Non-union workers don't have the same high level of training, he explains, and turnover is high because they leave for better-paying jobs. "Unions are a great partner with indus- try. Industry sets the standards, and unions train their members to meet those industry standards and go beyond. e real benefi- ciary of that is business owners, because they can compete globally." Being part of a union family during his construction years led Hernandez to seek involvement and form strong bonds with UTLA members when he became a teacher. "UTLA is an extremely professional orga- nization consisting of men and women who are putting out their best efforts and answering to a righteous calling in life. When I went to State Council, I thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. It was organized, focused, democratic, supportive, and it gets down to business." The biggest reward is seeing students becoming more competent and confident in their abilities. "People walk through this door from a variety of backgrounds, and they all have doubt and uncertainty about their future. Then they gain confidence to go out into the community and find a job. Students enjoy victories when their hands and minds are working together to build something." Many students discover the class leads to a career path and future they never thought possible. "It can lead to them entering one of the trades, buying a home and being able to care for their families. Many of them move on to accomplish great things. I love what I do. Every night when I go to sleep, I feel like I've changed the world." " Students enjoy victories when their hands and minds are working together to build something." 14 cta.org perspectives why this should be the only credit card you reach for For more information about the rates, fees, other costs and benefits associated with the use of the credit card, call the toll-free number above or visit www.newcardonline.com. * The 2% cash back on grocery store and wholesale club purchases and 3% cash back on gas purchases apply to the first $2,500 in combined purchases in these categories each quarter. After that, the base 1% earn rate applies to those purchases. ** You will qualify for $100 bonus cash rewards if you use your new credit card account to make any combination of Purchase transactions totaling at least $500 (exclusive of any fees, returns and adjustments) that post to your account within 90 days of the account open date. Limit one (1) bonus cash rewards offer per new account. This one-time promotion is limited to new customers opening an account in response to this offer. Other advertised promotional bonus cash rewards offers can vary from this promotion and may not be substituted. Allow 8-12 weeks from qualifying for the bonus cash rewards to post to your rewards balance. This credit card program is issued and administered by Bank of America, N.A. Visa and Visa Signature are registered trademarks of Visa International Service Association, and are used by the issuer pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. ©2017 Bank of America Corporation CC050417 AR9PFNPT MB0417-AD-CAEDU On up to $2,500 in grocery/wholesale club/gas quarterly spend* cash back everywhere, every time cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs cash back on gas 1% 2% 3 % Learn more and apply today! Refer to Priority Code BAABGO 1.866.86 7 .6 3 2 3 newcardonline.com Earn more cash back for the things you buy most with the CTA Cash Rewards Visa Signature ® credit card. $100 cash rewards bonus if you make at least $500 in purchases in the first 90 days**