California Educator

December / January 2017

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5 6 7 9 8 IMMIGRATION FORUM The Immigration Forum examined DACA students', families' and educators' rights, and discussed how chapters' awareness of immigrant rights helps engage their members in social justice work and ways to move forward. Heins spoke before the forum began about the need for educators to get involved. " This isn't extra to our work, this is our work," he said. " The attack on DACA students and educators is nothing short of immoral. If we don't stand, who will?" The forum was moderated by Charles Shannon, chair of Council's Civil Rights in Education Committee. Panelists included CTA Vice President Theresa Mon- taño, Javier Gutierrez (Alhambra Teachers Association), Taunya Jaco (San Jose TA), Christine Benson and Louise Williamson (National City Elementary TA), and Ignacia Rodriguez from the National Immigration Law Center. Watch the video at tinyurl.com/CTADACAforum. Read about CTA's amicus brief filed on behalf of plaintiffs who have filed lawsuits against rescinding DACA on page 48. To make your classroom safer for all students, find CTA's Social Justice Toolkit at cta.org/forallstudents. MEMBER ENGAGEMENT EXPO At the CTA membership engagement expo, delegates picked up the latest membership engagement materials, learned how CTA360 helps locals manage their member information, and discovered how CTA Member Benefits can aid in recruiting and maintaining happy members. They also wrote postcards welcoming new members to CTA. SUNDAY MORNING JOE Drawing from the latest book he's reading, On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder, CTA Executive Director Joe Nuñez addressed Council on Sunday and reminded us, "It is institutions that help us preserve decency." In the current political climate, Nuñez said, the mission of CTA to defend and protect public education for children is even more important. PRESERVING NATIVE CULTURE Delegates celebrated Native American culture with a presentation by storyteller and Native American advocate Jacque Nunez. Using artifacts and stories, she talked about the power of preserving Native culture, and the importance of understanding indigenous tools, games and clothing. Her "Journeys to the Past" (JourneysToThePast.com) program takes students into the lifestyle of the California Indian, in particular the Acjachemen Nation, which once flourished in Southern California. Susan Green Student CTA members with postcards they wrote to new members. COMMUNICATIONS WORTH CELEBRATING CTA's Communications Awards are designed to encourage chapters, service centers and UniServs to communicate with their members as well as to recognize and honor those who are communicating regularly and effectively. The 2016-17 winners: Newsletters and Newspapers • 500–2,999 members: Temecula Valley Educators Association • 3,000 members or more: United Educators of San Francisco Special Membership Communications • Temecula Valley Educators Association, "A Year in Review of T VEA" • Val Verde Teachers Association, Membership Campaign Communications to Parents or Community • Claremont Faculty Association, Epic Awards Event • United Educators of San Francisco, "UESF: Who We Are, What We Fight For " Digital Media Award in Honor of Ralph J. Flynn • 500–2,999 members: Temecula Valley Educators Association, tveducators.org • 3,000 members or more: United Teachers Los Angeles, utla.net Social Media Engagement • Val Verde Teachers Association Memorial Award in Honor of Jose Colmenares • Val Verde Teachers Association, VV TA Connected phone app CTA HUMAN RIGHTS AWARDS Delegates were reminded that the deadline for nominations for CTA Human Rights Awards is Jan. 8, 2018. The awards promote the development of programs for the advancement and protection of human and civil rights within CTA. Along with chapter and Service Center Council categories there are nine individual member award categories. See cta.org/humanrightsawards to nominate. 10 61 D E C E M B E R 2 017 / J A N U A R Y 2 018

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