Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/939681
By phone and in person Phone banks are ongoing, and everyone gets a list. Mem- bers get phone calls at least once a month, just to talk. "ey have different issues, and they don't know they can complain, or understand how concerns are dealt with. Our goal is to build bridges. We do it by phone." And in person. KCEA leaders get the first or last 10 minutes on the agenda at monthly district program area meetings. "e 10-minute meeting started back with Proposition 55. Everyone leaves with a handout," Matos-Brown says. More than 10 percent of members attend the monthly chapter rep council, where "we formulate a common message, with supports, so that site reps feel more com- fortable about sharing information. Our goal: meet one more per - son each week. We're constantly practicing phone banks, joining oth ers to wal k pre- cincts, etc. We're ready for the 2018 elections." The same applies to a quar t erly joint l a b o r - m a n a ge m e n t committee of district administrators, the KCEA president and a teacher from each of the four program areas. ey meet more often, if necessary, and issues are dealt with in a timely fashion, or may be assigned to a work group. Matos-Brown says it all works because she is brazen about asking for — well, anything and everything, some- thing she learned from her union's founders. " We are standing on the shoulders of those who came before us. Teachers who built this union in 2000 created and negoti- ated this practice and of working relationships — between union members and with the administration. All sides are professional, compassionate and respectful. We've come a long way in a short time." T H I S I S M Y S E C O N D Y E A R as a full-time teacher at John F. Kennedy High School in Anaheim, where I teach AP Language & Composition, English 3, and Journalism. I learn from my students every day : the latest slang or fashion or pop culture trends, who's dating who, or who's beefing with who. But more than that, I learn what they care about, what matters to them, what they know and don't know. I learn what they're passionate about, and I share my passions with them. I believe that a classroom functions best when there is a healthy, positive bond between teacher and students. My students know they can come to me with their prob- lems. They know I care about them and respect them, and because of this, I feel that they respect me. This rela- tionship helps me to be not only a better teacher but a better person. I'm a member of Anaheim Secondary Teachers Associa- tion (ASTA). I came to know about ASTA's work during the reduction in force (RIF) hearing last spring. Hundreds of educators who had received pink slips (including 80 in my district) went before district officials to make their case as to why they should not be laid off. As a first-year teacher, I had never dealt with anything like the RIF process before. I was concerned and con- fused. ASTA held a helpful informational meeting about CTA 360 CTA 360 is an app that allows CTA leaders to quickly access their local's data (member contact information, work location, etc.) from their mobile device. The app also lets them sign up new members and update member information. " We thought, 'If kids are feeling loved, they'll will do better in school. What better way to do that than with a blanket?'" — KCEA PRESIDENT MIRIAM MATOS-BROWN Matt Corcoran works hard to create a positive bond with students. A Path to Activism New educator discovers union's essential role of caring and support By Matt Corcoran 2 54 cta.org CTA & You M E M B E R E N G A G E M E N T