Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/969549
L E T U S K N O W W H A T Y O U T H I N K . We accept signed email and letters; we excerpt user posts from CTA social media platforms and californiaeducator.org. Content subject to editing for clarity and space. Photos must have identifications and permissions. Opinions expressed by the writers are not necessarily those of CTA. Editor@cta.org; #WeAreCTA Collective Bargaining Power Thank you so much for giving chapters like the Inglewood Teachers Association (ITA) a platform to address the importance of collective bargaining and the impact it has on students and unit members ("Unsung Heroes," February/March). ITA is currently at impasse with the Inglewood Unified School District. We are in a fierce battle over the district's proposal to cut health care benefits by almost 40 percent. This would amount to an approximately 7 percent cut in salary as out-of-pocket costs to members. Our members certainly cannot afford this disrespect and plan to fight to save what we believe is a human right. ITA is committed to fighting for schools all students deserve and protecting the collective bar- gaining rights of educators. NGOZIK A ANYANWU, ITA Bargaining Team Inglewood Teachers Association Meaning of a Word I notice that the word "pipeline" is beginning to be used casually and more often. As a Native/Indigenous person, I know this sets a dangerous precedent. Repeat a word often enough and it becomes familiar and then accepted. Pipelines are a hot environmental topic. The Black Snake is the stuff of prophecy. Pipelines destroy burial sites, soil and water for people of many nations. In this country we must Stand Up for Standing Rock. VICTORIA SEBANZ United Teachers Los Angeles Essential School Nurses Regarding " Vital Roles" (February/March), what an excellent article. These nurses are an inspiration to all nurses who work in schools. SHERRI VITALI School Nurse Coordinator San Joaquin County Office of Education The winning headline for our CaliforniaEducator.org GIF caption contest: "Nailed that lesson." Congratulations to KRYSTAL P OLOK A, Cutler-Orosi Unified Teachers Association, who wins coveted CTA swag. Honorable Mentions: To say Mr. Rogers was glad the staff meeting was canceled was obviously an understatement. — ERIK A L. ZAMOR A, Alvord Educators Association "Pop quiz time, kiddos. But first, let me show you how it's done." — ANH MAI, Franklin-McKinley Education Association See CaliforniaEducator.org for our next GIF contest. While you're there, take in all the great Educator content as well as up-to-date news and information. Caption This! 3 A P R I L / M AY 2 018 F E E D B A C K #OurVoiceOurUnion #WeAreCTA For our full social media directory, see cta.org/social facebook.com/ wearecta @WeAreCTA youtube.com/ californiateachers @WeAreCTA WeAreCTA