UTLA lays out roadmap for 2016

Award-Winning Newspaper of United Teachers Los Angeles • www.utla.net Volume XLV, Number 5, January 29, 2016

UTLA lays out roadmap for 2016

Our path to win the Schools L.A. Students Deserve.

2016 will be an epic year for United
Teachers Los Angeles, as we take action
on multiple fronts for the Schools L.A.
Students Deserve. 2015 has shown us
that when we work together, we have the
power to win meaningful improvements
to our students’ learning conditions and
our professional lives. Our plans for 2016
are ambitious because the challenges in
front of us are big. Below is our roadmap of
strategic actions, as part of our continued
implementation of the 2015-17 Strategic
Plan. More dates will be added as we move
through the year.

Build a stronger UTLA • All 2016: Organize at other levels of
government against Broad-Walmart and
Generate the resources needed for our demand accountability for all publicly
strategic plan through the Build the Future, funded schools.
Fund the Fight campaign.

• January 19-February 10: Vote YES! to
reinvest in our union.

• February 10: Ballot counting for the Educators, labor partners, community members, and parents cheer the LAUSD School Board’s unanimous vote on January 12 to oppose the
Build the Future, Fund the Fight vote. Broad-Walmart plan.

Investment in students & One L.A. members Edward Chavez and Mary Build the Future, Fund the Fight: Still
Sustainable Neighborhood Jackson urge the Board to pass the anti-priva- time for your vote to count!
Community Schools tization motion on January 12.
UTLA is at a historic crossroads with the vote this month on the union’s Build the
Through all possible avenues (con- • January 12: UTLA coalition action to Future, Fund the Fight strategic plan. On the line is our viability as a union and as
tract negotiations, state budget process, support anti-privatization resolution at a fighting force for our students, our profession, and public education. Voting yes
ballot initiatives, and District budget and the Board of Education. UTLA members will give our union the resources we need for the work we have ahead of us.
LCAP process), organize for investment support the push with Stand Up for Our
in Sustainable Neighborhood Community School emails to School Board. See pages If you haven’t voted yet, get your ballot in the mail ASAP (ballots must be
Schools and what our students need, in- 4 and 7. received by Wednesday, February 10, at 8 a.m.) or have your vote registered
cluding lower class sizes and full staffing. (continued on page 4) immediately by voting online. Online voting instructions are included with every
ballot. Ballots will be tallied at the UTLA building by Integrity Voting Systems on
• February 9: At the LAUSD School February 10, and all members are welcome to observe the count.
Board meeting, initiate “reopener” bar-
gaining on class size, student services Negotiated 2% raise reflected on
staffing, and educator development and February 5 paycheck
support. See page 8.
UTLA members should see a boost in pay on their February 5 paycheck, which
• February-May: Member/parent/ is the first one to reflect the 2% salary increase that was effective January 1,
student delegations to School Board 2016. The 2% raise is part of the 10% salary increase that UTLA won in con-
members on District budget and LCAP tract talks last year—a victory that was built on months of member organizing
priorities. and escalating strategic actions.

Fight privatization and
the billionaire agenda

Continue to build a large coalition to
fight the Broad-Walmart plan and demand
accountability for all publicly funded
schools.

February 17 Walk-In
National action to reclaim our schools

Page 5

United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net January 29, 2016

United Teacher President’s perspective

PRESIDENT Alex Caputo-Pearl Fighting for public education: It’s on us
NEA AFFILIATE VP Cecily Myart-Cruz
AFT AFFILIATE VP Betty Forrester By Alex Caputo-Pearl op-ed that says the plan has been “shape- action on issues deeply connected to our
ELEMENTARY VP Juan Ramirez UTLA President shifting ever since an early draft was leaked” campaign for the Schools L.A. Students
SECONDARY VP Colleen Schwab after the scheme was widely criticized by Deserve. The passage of the Build the Future,
TREASURER Arlene Inouye One of the dependable pleasures of being educators and the community. Fund the Fight campaign is central to future
SECRETARY Daniel Barnhart an educator is running into former students. Although the Broad-Walmart public wins. Think of UTLA’s financial restructur-
Over the holiday break, I ran into a former message has changed, their goal to defund, ing as the fuel we need to power our work.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jeff Good student of mine, Walther Perez, from my deregulate, and dismantle public schools Without that fuel, we won’t get far down
10th-grade World History class at the Cren- has not. You only have to look at the team the road. Your support for a stronger UTLA
BOARD OF DIRECTORS shaw High School Social Justice Academy, they hired to lead the disingenuously named will not count if you don’t mark your ballot
where I was lead teacher. Great Public Schools Now. and mail it in. If you haven’t already, make
NORTH AREA: Kirk Thomas, Chair (Eagle Rock ES), In that class we studied philosophers sure you mark your ballot and mail it in or
Karla Griego (Buchanan ES), Rebecca Solomon If they were truly backing off their plan vote online before the February 10 deadline.
(RFK UCLA Comm. School), Julie Van like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rous- to push a massive expansion of unregu-
Winkle (Logan Span School) seau as well as those not in the standards lated charter schools across LAUSD, would The front of this UNITED TEACHER lays
but who were fundamental to developing they have put investment banker Bill Siart out our 2016 roadmap, and I want to cover
SOUTH AREA: Ingrid Villeda, Chair (93rd Street ES), ideas around social movements (Mary in charge? Siart is a founder of ExEd, a some of the key actions on our timeline.
Ayde Bravo (Maywood ES), Ayesha Brooks Wollstonecraft, Sojourner Truth, Toussaint company that specializes in (and profits
L’Ouverture, Simon Bolivar, Tecumseh). from) supporting new charters. Would they February 17 National Walk-In: I am truly
(Markham MS), Maria Miranda (Miramonte ES) Walther was one of the quieter students, have hired Myrna Castrejon, a former lob- excited about the February 17 National
mostly low-key. But he told Walk-In to Reclaim Public Education. Look
EAST AREA: Gillian Russom, Chair (ESP Academy), me during our conversation
Ingrid Gunnell (Lane ES), Gloria Martinez (Rowan ES), at a Starbucks on Pico that it at the numbers: More than 30
was my class that sparked a cities across the U.S. participat-
Adrian Tamayo (Lorena ES) curiosity that shaped his life ing, and more than 120 schools
and his choices. in Los Angeles (and counting)
WEST AREA: Erika Jones Crawford, Chair (CTA Walther is now a student taking part. This is how we build
Director), Noah Lippe-Klein (Dorsey HS), Rodney Lusain at Santa Monica College, a national movement against the
where he is majoring in phi- privatization of public education
(Los Angeles HS), Jennifer Villaryo (Grand View ES) losophy and political science and for greater investment in
and playing for the SMC neighborhood schools.
CENTRAL AREA: José Lara, Chair (Santee EC), soccer team while getting
Kelly Flores (Maya Angelou), Paul Ngwoke (Bethune ready to transfer into the UC UTLA held a productive
system. He is also the head of all-day planning session on
MS), Zulma Tobar (Harmony ES) a student club that mentors January 14, where representa-
high school students, and he is tives from more than 70 schools
VALLEY EAST AREA: Scott Mandel, Chair (Pacoima leading an effort to expand this worked together in small groups
Magnet), Victoria (Martha) Casas (Beachy ES), Mel mentoring program beyond Alex with UTLA members at Fairfax Senior High School. to develop a vision for the day
House (Elementary P.E.), Alex (David) Orozco (Madison MS) (read more on page 5—there’s
Santa Monica and into South L.A. He is byist for California Charter Schools Associa- also still time for your school
VALLEY WEST AREA: Bruce Newborn, Chair (Hale driven to give back to the community he tion, as executive director? And if this effort to sign up). With the session’s
Charter), Melodie Bitter (Lorne ES), Wendi Davis came from. This gets to the heart of our was not truly about breaking the union, focus on parents and community and posi-
profession: to inspire and instill curiosity would they have hired Mercury Public tive messaging, Harry Bridges Span School
(Henry MS), Javier Romo (Mulholland MS) and a thirst for knowledge, things that only Affairs? Mercury handles PR for Walmart teacher Michael Gearin told me it was one
a robust education can bring them. And, and Alliance Charters—two entities with of the most exciting meetings he’s ever been
HARBOR AREA: Aaron Bruhnke, Chair (San Pedro HS), well, we love igniting that spark. aggressively anti-union managements. Now involved in at UTLA.
Karen Macias-Lutz (Del Amo ES), Elgin Scott (Taper ES), Everything Walther said crystallizes for Mercury Public Affairs has been hired by Out of that meeting came some key tenets
me the purpose of teaching, the promise of the Michigan government to do PR spin for for February 17: We believe in working with
Steve Seal (Eshelman ES) teaching. It also drives home the responsibil- the city of Flint, where institutional racism parents, students, and the community to
ADULT & OCCUP ED: Matthew Kogan (Evans CAS) ity we have on our shoulders as a teachers’ and a privatization-driven lack of funding build Sustainable Neighborhood Commu-
BILINGUAL EDUCATION: Cheryl L. Ortega (Sub Unit) union. Everything Walther’s experience in- for infrastructure and public services have nity Schools, and we call for the investment
EARLY CHILDHOOD ED: Corina Gomez (Pacoima EEC) volves—educators having some autonomy led to a shameful health crisis. and resources to do it. We believe in fully
over curriculum, making authentic connec- New LAUSD superintendent Michelle funded public schools, and we reject Broad-
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES: Linda Gordon tions to parents and community, teaching King told the L.A. Times this month that she Walmart’s plan to undermine LAUSD. Bil-
SPECIAL ED: Darrell Jones (Byrd MS) the value of community service and social doesn’t “agree or support any initiative that lionaires like Eli Broad shouldn’t be trying to
SUBSTITUTES: Fredrick Bertz justice activism—is under attack with the says we’re going to take over or take part undermine public education—instead, they
PACE CHAIR: Marco Flores Broad-Walmart scheme and other like-mind- of L.A. Unified kids”—a positive sign, but should be paying their fair share through
UTLA RETIRED: John Perez ed market-driven reforms. Now more than as UTLA members we know that no matter progressive taxation. 
ever, as educators, we must fight to preserve who the superintendent is, it is up to us to Contract bargaining: On February 9, UTLA
AFFILIATIONS that spark. build a strong union that can advocate for formally will initiate “reopener” bargaining
with LAUSD on the vitally important issues
American Federation of Teachers Broad-Walmart’s shape-shifting our students and our profession. During of class size, student services staffing, and
National Education Association the search process, UTLA repeatedly called educator development and support. As with
We have landed some blows in the battle for three criteria in a new superintendent: the past contract cycle, the key to making
STATE & NATIONAL OFFICERS against the billionaires, including the unani- That the person be a career educator who progress in bargaining rests in the member
mous passage on January 12 of a School understands public schools, who does not organizing and the parent-community out-
NEA DIRECTOR: Sonia Martin Solis Board motion—sponsored by member Scott have a connection to Eli Broad or the Broad reach we do to support our demands. Read
CFT PRESIDENT: Joshua Pechthalt Schmerelson—that opposes the Broad- superintendent training academy, and who more on contract reopeners on page 8.
Walmart scheme (read more on page 4). has a history of collaboration with stakehold- Taking on standardized testing: It’s been a
CTA PRESIDENT: Eric Heins Be prepared for a dirty fight. The Broad- ers. King unquestionably meets the first two slow process, but the national dialogue about
CTA DIRECTOR: Erika Jones Crawford Walmart plan is slick and will continue to criteria; as for the third criteria, while she overtesting is moving in a positive direction.
CFT VICE PRESIDENT: Betty Forrester morph because their beliefs are not rooted has worked well with stakeholders in key A growing number of parents and commu-
NEA PRESDIENT: Lily Eskelsen Garcia in genuine connections with students, but instances in the past, time will tell if King nity members are taking a stand against the
AFT PRESIDENT: Randi Weingarten in undermining the promise of a public continues to deepen that commitment to abuse of standardized testing and the way it
education system in Los Angeles. They are collaboration as LAUSD superintendent. distorts classroom learning. As confirmed by
UTLA COMMUNICATIONS scrambling because, through our organizing UTLA testing survey results, the vast major-
and outreach, we have shaped the narrative UTLA’s Roadmap for 2016 ity of our members who give standardized
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Alex Caputo-Pearl by exposing the fundamental problems at We should be encouraged by our early tests have concerns about lost instructional
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: Anna Bakalis the heart of their scheme, relating to lack successes against the Broad-Walmart plan, time and the impact on students’ learning
of accountability, transparency, and equity. but we know that the fight is far from over. experiences. A majority of members also
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALISTS: The Broad-Walmart response to our orga- UTLA has a roadmap for the year that will reported that most of the tests provide little
Kim Turner, Carolina Barreiro, Tammy Lynn Gann nizing has been noticed—including by the keep the fight going against privatization or no useful data. We submitted a demand
L.A. Times, as reflected in their January 17 and the billionaire agenda while also taking to consult with the District on educational
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Laura Aldana
(continued on next page)
EDITORIAL INFORMATION

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2

United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net January 29, 2016

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE Speaking out

(continued from previous page) We welcome letters to the editor and will I believe in public education. we are going to walk into work as we do
print as many as possible in the space I am a born-and-bred product of public every morning?” But to me, it is the sym-
objectives—our right under state bargaining available. Letters may be edited for length bolic piece of participating with others
law. UTLA, through our Testing Task Force, and clarity, and they do not necessarily education from Saginaw, Michigan—one across the nation.
also made extensive document requests in reflect the opinions of UTLAor its officers. of the nation’s top ten most violent cities.
an attempt to create an inventory of local, By mail: Editor, But my education really began when I I am not telling anyone to walk in with
state, and national assessments being used in UNITED TEACHER started working in Los Angeles Unified me—I am asking people to join me. In
LAUSD. Our first meetings with the District 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor, School District in 2002—my colleagues order for public education to survive,
are January 27 and February 12. Read more Los Angeles, CA 90010 taught me about Emmett Till, the Black we must all find our own reasons why
about our testing fight and a free screening By email: [email protected] Panthers, the Brown Berets, and what it we believe in public education. I believe
on February 11 of a great movie on the issue means to be Chicana. I read Elie Wiesel in the service that public employees
on page 5. Supporting—not undermining— with my students. Koreans taught me provide, I believe in health care, I believe
public education about historical bias regarding the Japa- in pensions, I believe in expanding the
Charter educator representation and or- nese. I’ve taught Jean Anyon, Jonathan middle class, I believe in quality public
ganizing: This month, UTLA members at The following letter also appeared in the Kozol, and Kimberle Crenshaw’s con- education so people can stop the cycle
Birmingham Community Charter School L.A. Times. cepts on intersectionality. Through the of poverty.
and El Camino Charter High School scored power of literacy, universal themes have
strong contract agreements (read about Bir- We don’t need studies to tell us the obvious: broken down barriers of race and culture Education should not be for profit—our
mingham’s agreement on page 8). Their Public schools in Los Angeles need more to deeper understandings. students are not capital, but the ecosystem
agreements underscore the power in col- support, not less. Encouraging an increas- of society. One educator said to me, “When
lective bargaining and in united action to ing percentage of public school students to In 2007, when another student threw a I first started with the District, I wondered
support that bargaining. Educators at the enter the parallel system of charters only takes bottle at a boy in our high school because if I would ever leave the District—I never
Accelerated School are still in the middle of away resources from existing public schools. he was wearing a dress, a colleague said thought the District would leave me!”
tough negotiations. I met early this month the boy needed to go to another school—
with the Accelerated educators (thanks to Americans love the idea of choice. But but I believe in Project 10 and that all of Join me if you are united in reclaiming
Juliana Xochimitl for setting it up) and was what if the choices are false? What if judging our schools need to be safe, no matter our public schools.
inspired by their commitment to escalate school performance based on a single stan- what a student wears. LAUSD taught me
their actions to get a fair agreement. These dardized test score is a fool’s errand? What if about Denim Day and Title IX. —Greta Enszer, NBCT
campaigns are critical to raising standards the public schools had the resources to offer UTLA/LAUSD Professional Development
around salary, health benefits, and working more choices so concerned parents wouldn’t The same time that students were
and learning conditions across all schools, feel that they have to go “outside”? watching Walk Out on HBO, the film Correction
LAUSD and charter. Raising standards is dramatizing the historical walkouts in
why the educators at Alliance College-Ready Unless we adequately fund public educa- Los Angeles, I stood with administrators The co-chair for Muir Middle
Schools are organizing and keeping up the tion and support and improve existing public as we witnessed our students walk out School in the December UT
fight to unionize. They are still waiting, by schools, we are risking our nation’s future. of Manual Arts to protest teacher layoffs. “Unity in Red” should have been
the way, for Alliance CEO Dan Katzir—who When they walked in the next day, they listed as Fortunato Berumen.
is under a court injunction—to meet with his —Brad Jones were a little more empowered following
own educators and UTLA officers to create Venice High School in their predecessors’ footsteps—though, Alert us to errors: Please
a labor neutrality agreement. as a faculty, we were exhausted. send corrections to UNITED
Why I’m walking in TEACHER by email to UTnews-
Organizing for school and social services To a veteran UTLA member, the Febru- [email protected].
funding: Governor Jerry Brown’s proposed I’m walking in on February 17 because ary 17 walk-in is a benign action: “What,
state budget provides us with some decent
news on school funding, including a 5.4% In this issue
increase in Local Control Funding Formula
money and $1.2 billion in one-time discre- 4 Broad-Walmart shift messages in face of organized opposition 7 National Board Certification
tionary funds (equating to roughly $200 per
student for every district). The picture might School Board unanimously passes resolution against 7 Accolades for educators
get even better after tax revenue is updated market-driven reform.
and after public education advocates have
a chance to press for more investment in 5 February 17 National Walk-in to Reclaim Public Education 8 UTLA preps for contract
schools and social services. But this still Schools plan positive, engaging actions with parents, students, reopeners
puts us nowhere near where we need to
be for fully funded schools. UTLA will be and the community. 17 Milestones
pushing for the absolutely crucial extension
of the Prop. 30 funding measures (scheduled 14 Special pullout: Friedrichs v. CTA 19 Platinum Apple award
to sunset in 2018-2019) and exploring ad- What’s at stake in this anti-union case. nominations open
ditional means to raise revenue.
STANDING TOGETHER FOR OUR SCHOOLS AND OUR STUDENTS 21 Union dues for tax deductions
Our roadmap is an ambitious plan, but we E PLURIBUS UNUM
know this work needs to be done. Weaving 24 Practical matters: Working
through our work together in the coming THE ISSUE On Jan. 11, 2016, WHAT IS FAIR SHARE? THE FACTS after retirement
year will be the important discussions we the United States
had during the Build the Future, Fund the It is no secret that America’s economy has swung out of balance. Supreme Court Fair Share fees are the cost of union representation and NO ONE IS REQUIRED 26 Classifieds
Fight campaign. Our national affiliates It’s getting harder and harder to get by, let alone get ahead, and will hear oral bargaining. No one is forced to join a union, but unions are TO JOIN A UNION, AND
are using our deep, months-long dialogue everyday Americans are working more than ever before. Our work arguments in legally required to represent all workers. Teachers and other NO ONE IS REQUIRED 27 Grapevine
on our financial restructuring drive as a has created record wealth for an economic recovery that’s been Friedrichs v. CTA, public employees who don’t want to belong to a union only TO PAY ANY FEES THAT
model for member engagement, a model for everywhere but ordinary peoples’ wallets. In addition, our schools a lawsuit that have to contribute to the costs of representation they receive. Get connected to UTLA
helping folks understand the importance of and other public services have suffered. challenges the GO TO POLITICS OR
the union in fighting for educational justice authority of Since all workers enjoy the benefits, job security and other POLITICAL CANDIDATES Facebook: facebook.com/UTLAnow
and against the billionaires and their anti- Now there is a Supreme Court case that threatens to make things CTA and other protections the union negotiates, it is only fair that all Twitter: @utlanow
public education schemes and their anti- worse. Friedrichs v. CTA is about wealthy special interests that want to public employee contribute to the cost of securing those benefits and but YouTube: youtube.com/UTLAnow
union court cases, like Friedrichs v. CTA. shi the balance of economic power in their favor, and make it even unions to collect protections. It’s not fair for some to pay more for the benefits
more difficult for working people to come together, speak up Fair Share fees. all workers enjoy. The current Fair Share system is a good BY LAW, UNIONS MUST
During phone banking for the Build the collectively, get ahead and help create an economy that works for compromise and common sense. REPRESENT AND
Future campaign, amidst having great con- everyone, and serve their communities in the best way possible.
versations with hundreds of our members, I In states where Fair Share has been banned, workers are BARGAIN FOR EVERY
talked to a few teachers who work at West- Our very future is at stake. Educators, in particular, must fight to worse off. If the Supreme Court bans Fair Share, it will make it WORKER, WHETHER
wood Charter with Kelly Oschack, whose ensure that our schools remain strong and our students get the harder for teachers, firefighters, and nurses to stand together THEY JOIN THE UNION
son played baseball with my son. One of quality public education they deserve. to fight for our students and schools, and to negotiate for
those teachers was a student in Kelly’s class wages and benefits. OR NOT.
many years ago, and she has returned to THE TIMELINE
Westwood Charter to teach alongside her ROBERT REICH 25
as a colleague. That is more evidence of the 1977 2013 2014 2015 2016 Professor of public Number of states with “right to
impact of teaching—what we know in our policy and former work” laws (more accurately
bones about the importance of what we The Abood Case Friedrichs Suit Filed Signals From the Court Gearing Up for Battle Awaiting the Decision U.S. Secretary of Labor termed “right to work for less”)
do. That’s why we harness the power of our that deprive workers of
union—our collective voice—to stand up U.S. Supreme Court Plaintiffs accept rulings Supreme Court’s ruling in Supreme Court agrees Oral arguments commence The decline of union membership has mirrored bargaining power
for public education. Our fight is righteous, rules public-sector against them so they can Harris v. Quinn indicates almost exactly the decline of the middle class.
and we are ready. unions can collect Fair fast-track the case to it may be willing to hear Friedrichs; in January; the court must Strong unions mean a strong middle class, $5,971
Share fees from the Supreme Court. Average amount less that
non-union employees. to overturn Abood. hundreds file amicus briefs issue its ruling by June 30, ’’which means a strong economy. workers in right-to-work states
make compared to workers in
in support of CTA/NEA. 2016, or before. states that allow Fair Share fees

WHY IS THIS CASE IMPORTANT? WHO IS SPEAKING UP FOR WORKING FAMILIES?

Public employee unions are made up of teachers, Friedrichs v. CTA is being pushed by those who seek Hundreds of legal and educational scholars; civil rights organizations; public employee unions; educators and school
firefighters, nurses and other working people. Our individual profit and personal gain by damaging protec- districts; cities, counties and states; and elected officials and lawmakers have filed amicus briefs in support of CTA and
victories are everyone’s victory, contributing to our tions for hardworking families and their communities. NEA. Here are some excerpts:
economy and the quality of life for all. These are the same rules and protections that have
formed the foundation for people to work together for Overturning Abood “would undermine one of the most successful vehicles for providing CROIIRVGGIHLsTS
Everyone who works should be able to make ends better public services — smaller class sizes, quicker economic and professional opportunities for American workers, and, in particular, for
meet, have a say about their future, and have the right to response times in emergencies, and better staffing for women, people of color, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender workers. ... Unions
negotiate collectively for better wages and benefits that hospitals — and more vibrant communities. have provided a critical path to the middle class for generations of working people,
can sustain their family and community. including the nurses, rst responders, teachers, and others who comprise the membership
of public sector unions.”
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
— National Women’s Law Center, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights,
the Human Rights Campaign, and 70 additional organizations committed to civil rights

A WELL-ROUNDED The stakes are high for our students, CAROL PEEK “[We] have gone into the relatively low-paying profession of public education out of love for ED&DISSUCTCHRAIOCTOOTSLRS
EDUCATION WITH ART, educators and communities. A ruling SCHOOL MONITOR our country’s children. [We believe] that public education is the bedrock of what has
MUSIC, PE AND MORE in favor of Friedrichs could jeopardize a Ventura Education made, and what will continue to make, the United States of America a great nation. ...
quality education for our children. Support Professionals Without the ability to e ectively engage in collective bargaining, individual teachers will
CLASS SIZES THAT be left voiceless in protecting their livelihoods, the learning environments of their students,
ALLOW FOR ONE-ON- Students and schools have already been Association and the future of public education.”
hit by funding cuts that deprive them of — 16 individual teachers
ONE INSTRUCTION arts and PE programs, up-to-date My job is to be on
LEARNING INSTEAD OF textbooks, recess, and smaller class sizes. the front lines to School districts secure more e ective collective bargaining relationships with unions that
MORE AND MORE If our unions are weakened, it will be make sure our have “the stability to make di cult agreements that may be unpopular but are in the
HIGH-STAKES TESTING harder for us to fight collectively for what students are safe. long-term interests of employees, students and the entire community.”
SCHOOL SAFETY WITH our students need. It will be harder to It’s important for me — 14 school districts
HEALTHY LEARNING AND negotiate good working conditions, to have the right to
WORKING ENVIRONMENTS wages and benefits. voice concerns over “Petitioners’ attempt to demolish this Court’s settled framework for analyzing conditions of FG&EOSDVTEATRsTAEL
A FAIR SALARY THAT anything that might public employment [under the First Amendment] would astonish the founding generation
INCLUDES RETIREMENT When we’re able to give our children a impair the safety of and would stamp out the state-by-state variation in public-employment structures that
AND HEALTH CARE quality education, make our work more my students. Jeopar- has been the hallmark of this Court’s First Amendment jurisprudence for decades”.
effective and sustain our families, we dizing my ability to — United States government
leave our communities better off than we speak up for them is
found them. Everyone benefits from “States have a signi cant and valid interest in being able to employ the models of
collective bargaining. ’’a risk for everyone. collective bargaining that have proved successful for achieving labor peace and avoiding ...
strikes,” and for improving the e ciency and quality of public services.
In states that have banned Fair Share, the — 21 states and the District of Columbia
average worker makes $5,971 less per
year, workers are much less likely to have “Collective bargaining has proven bene ts for public employers. ... [It] is linked to a host of &SLECUGHNAOLILOANRSS
health insurance, and the rate of related workplace bene ts, including reduced employee turnover, increased job satisfac-
workplace deaths is 54 percent higher. tion, and improved worker productivity. ese bene ts run to both employers and
employees.”
Worker rights that unions have fought for
and won include: —48 Labor and Employment Law Professors
• 8-hour work day, 40-hour workweek
• weekends off AARON HALL Making sure that everyone has access to the American Dream and a fair
• all breaks at work, including lunch THIRD-GRADE TEACHER shot at the middle class is essential to this country’s future. … The U.S.
• paid vacation, sick leave Supreme Court should reject this attempt by wealthy special interests in the
• pensions United Educators of Friedrichs case to make it even harder for working people to come together,
• and much more San Francisco speak up for one another, and get ahead. It is a basic concept of fairness that

’’even a third-grader can understand.

WHO IS BEHIND THIS? WHO ARE DEFENDING OUR RIGHTS?

$ Money and Power People and Passion LACY BARNES
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
This case is backed by corporate special interests who want to reduce wages for CTA, NEA and other unions represent teachers, nurses, firefighters and other
working people to fund tax cuts for the wealthy and large corporations. Weakening public service workers who are passionate about what we do. We join together INSTRUCTOR
unions enables those with purely profit-driven motivations to get their hands on the to make our voices heard on issues that affect all of us: quality education for our California Federation
billions of dollars that are invested annually in public education. Who are the monied students; safe and healthy schools, hospitals and other community environ-
interests against Fair Share? ments; fair pay; and retirement with dignity. of Teachers

Pull out our special The Center for Individual Rights (CIR) is a Washington-based public interest law firm whose mission is “the EQUAL The rights of working people have come under attack many times This case means a lot to
poster on the Friedrichs defense of individual liberties against the increasingly aggressive and unchecked authority of federal and state JUSTICE before, at the ballot box and in the courts. We have prevailed me as both an educator
case and put it on your governments.” CIR has sought to ban affirmative action legislation, including California’s Proposition 209. Its UNDER because we have come together, stood strong and spoken with a and a union member,
school bulletin board. funders include: powerful, unified voice. because I want working
L AW people everywhere to
• Charles and David Koch of Koch Industries. The brothers, whose personal wealth is estimated to We are fighting back again. With 325,000 members, CTA is one have the same opportunity
be $42.3 billion each, have supported numerous ultra-conservative political candidates and causes; in of the strongest and most successful advocates for I’ve enjoyed to improve
2012 they spent millions in an unsuccessful attempt to defeat California’s Prop. 30, the tax initiative to students and educators in the country. NEA, at 3 million their communities through
increase education funding, and another initiative (defeated) to deny workers the right to contribute to members the nation's largest professional employee organization, fulfilling, rewarding public
political causes. They have announced they intend to spend $900 million on the 2016 elections. is committed to advancing the cause of public education.
’’service jobs.
The brothers are associated with the American Legislative Exchange Council, which has pushed for With you and our partners, we are a potent force to defend our
privatization of public education and eliminating school employee unions, and modeled legislation to rights and protect the future of our families and communities.
eliminate teacher rights in the classroom, certify non-credentialed individuals as teachers, and promote
private voucher programs.

• Koch-linked groups known to have made grants to CIR, according to the Center for Media and
Democracy, include DonorsTrust, Donors Capital Fund, and the Claude R. Lambe Charitable
Foundation. Groups that receive either direct funding from Koch entities or are linked to the brothers’
funding network filed amicus briefs in favor of the Friedrichs plaintiffs. They include the Cato Institute,
National Right to Work Legal Defense Fund, and the Mackinac Center, a major force behind the
2012 anti-union legislation enacted in Michigan.

• Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation. One of the largest and most influential ultra-conservative
foundations in the United States, it supports privatizing education and was instrumental in the legisla-
tive attack on labor in Wisconsin.

• John M. Olin Foundation. Now closed, it provided funding to develop anti-environmental, CTA and NEA are part of the TMEAACTHTEERRS RWIOGRKHETRSS’
pro-business legal advocacy organizations. broad-based “America Works SSTEUDREVNTES
YESTO FAIR SHARE
• F.M. Kirby Foundation. It disperses grants in areas of education, health and medicine, Together” coalition which is
civic and public affairs, and other areas. raising public awareness and ENOUGH

• Sarah Scaife Foundation. It has given millions to anti-worker, conservative think tanks and funded providing updated and
several initiatives in California to eliminate worker rights. accurate information about

• Carthage Foundation. It gives to conservative organizations such as the Federation for Friedrichs and Fair Share.
American Immigration Reform, which was designated an anti-immigrant hate group by the
Southern Poverty Law Center.

• Christian Educators Association International (Friedrichs plaintiff) provides support for initiatives
that undermine LGBT rights in schools and efforts to make schools safe for students and educators.

See cta.org/friedrichs for the latest information about the Friedrichs For an interactive PDF of this report, as Find out more at americaworkstogether.us
case, including key points, summaries of CTA and others’ respondents well as a printable poster of these and @AmWorksTogether. Keep up with the
briefs, summaries of amicus briefs and media coverage. pages, see cta.org/friedrichs. conversation at #WorkTogether.

3

United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net January 29, 2016

Community lands a hit against Broad-Walmart ROADMAP FOR 2016

School Board unanimously passes resolution against market-driven reform. (continued from the cover)

UTLA’s organizing efforts are having an impact on the Cynthia Strathmann, executive director of SAJE, tells the School Board Protect health benefits
Broad-Walmart unregulated charter expansion scheme, as on January 12 that the Broad-Walmart plan would “amount to a loss of
evidenced by the unanimous passage of the LAUSD School public control over an important institution.” Organize against the push by
Board motion against privatization and by the scrambling LAUSD and charter employers to dra-
of the Broad-Walmart backers to rebrand their plan. support from city, county, and state governments, along with matically cut employee health care.
organizing for Sustainable Neighborhood Community Schools
On January 12, the LAUSD School Board passed on a 7 as a proactive alternative vision to the Broad-Walmart scheme. • All 2016: Continue organizing
to 0 vote Scott Schmerelson’s “Excellent Public Education members to protect health care for
for Every Student” motion against market-driven reform School Board takes a stand: Students are not active and retired employees, as well
and for investing in neighborhood schools. The motion’s market shares as build a broad labor coalition.
passage was thanks to a growing coalition fighting the
Broad-Walmart plan, including students, parents, com- The text of the motion passed by the LAUSD School Board Educator development & support
munity organizations, local and national labor leaders, on January 12 accurately depicts the Broad-Walmart plan’s
and elected officials. destructive potential and the issues UTLA has been raising Get member input and bargain for a
since the plan was leaked. Some quotes: proactive vision of educator develop-
In response to public outcry over the scheme, Broad- ment and support and move away from
Walmart promoters have been modifying their message, • The motion states that the Broad-Walmart plan fails to “gotcha” evaluations.
claiming that they will not focus solely on unregulated “address the impact, implications, and potential for collateral
charter expansion. The L.A. Times called them out for their damage” to the students who would be left in an LAUSD • January-June: Prepare for bargain-
“shape-shifting” in a January 17 op-ed that noted the wide- system precariously drained of resources. ing contract reopeners around this
spread criticism the plan has received and the serious com- issue. See page 8.
munity concerns that a deal developed in private could • The motion puts the School Board on record as sup-
harm LAUSD schools. porting investment in LAUSD schools and opposing “ini- National movement to
tiatives that view our communities as a public education Reclaim Our Schools
But while the Broad-Walmart people may have changed marketplace and our children as commodities.”
their message to try to make their plan more palatable to Join more than 30 cities nationwide
the community, their goal is the same: to spend millions of • The motion also calls out unregulated charter schools in an unprecedented, coordinated
dollars in an effort to dismantle the school district and create for “recent tactics of saturation [that] create unnecessary move to push back on the billionaire
an unregulated, two-tiered education system in Los Angeles. competition for precious resources and divide students agenda and call for greater investment
and communities.” in public education.
The group formed to push the Broad-Walmart plan—dis-
ingenuously named Great Public Schools Now—is being • February 17: National “Walk-Ins”
led by two prominent pro-charter executives: Investment with parents, community, students,
banker Bill Siart, founder of a company that profits from and other employees at the beginning
new charter schools, and Myrna Castrejon, former lobbyist of the school day. See page 5.
for the California Charter Schools Association. Great Public
Schools Now also has brought on board Mercury Public • March: National week of action,
Affairs, who are the hired guns for anti-union PR efforts building on February 17.
by Walmart and Alliance College-Ready Schools. Now
Mercury is handling spin for the city of Flint, Michigan, Take on standardized testing
where institutional racism, poverty, and a lack of funding
for infrastructure and public services have led to a disgrace- Challenge the overuse and abuse of
ful health crisis. standardized testing and its impact on
students and instructional time.
The passage of the School Board motion is a solid victory
for the community, but it is only one step on a long road. In • January 27 and February 12: Meet
the wake of our organizing successes, it is expected that the with District to gather information;
Broad-Walmart backers will redouble their efforts. UTLA’s then develop our demands. See page 5.
next moves will likely include gathering resolutions and
• February 11: Screening of the film
Nightingale students get crafty with Home Depot Defies Measurement at UTLA. See page 5.

Nightingale Middle School stu- the workers. Pabon) likes to bring to his students to Charter educator representation
dents from Lengo Lam’s special edu- The holiday visit is part of an enrich their learning opportunities. The and organizing
cation class were treated to a hands-on community connection comes naturally
holiday craft session in December with ongoing relationship between Home to Lam, a former Nightingale student Fight for representation and union
a team of volunteers from the nearby Depot and Nightingale, and it’s the kind who returned to the school to serve as rights for educators.
Home Depot. After the visit, the stu- of community collaboration that Lam a special education aide, then teaching
dents performed a few songs to thank (center, below left photo, with Home assistant, and now teacher. • All 2016: Continue to support Alli-
Depot General Store Manager Gabriel ance charter educators’ efforts to union-
ize; organize for enforcement of L.A.
Superior Court’s injunction against Al-
liance management to stop its illegal,
anti-union activities. See page 8.

• All 2016: At UTLA-represented
charters, continue representation and
bargaining new and ongoing contracts
to ensure fair employee benefits and
salaries and quality working and learn-
ing conditions. See page 8.

Organize for school and
social services funding

Push for greater funding for schools
and social services and direct monies
to students and the classroom.

• All 2016: Prepare for ballot measure
in November to extend revenue-gener-
ating measures of Proposition 30.

• All 2016: Explore additional means
to raise revenue.

4

United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net January 29, 2016

February 17 National Walk-in to Reclaim Public Education

Schools plan positive, engaging actions with parents, students, and the community.

More than 100 UTLA chapters have with Valentine’s Day (using “heart” and At a planning session in January, UTLA members brainstorm key messages and strategies for
signed on to take part in a powerful nation- “love” in signs and messages). holding empowering actions on February 17.
wide action on February 17. On that day, in
more than 40 cities across the U.S., parents, • Have participants wear school colors Critical elements of Sustainable
educators, other school staff, students, and bring signs that reflect their vision for Neighborhood Community Schools
and community members will walk in to their school.
schools together in a coordinated action. The February 17 Walk-In is linked with our fight with parents and the com-
• Create “what we love about our school” munity for investment in Sustainable Neighborhood Community Schools. Our
The events in each city and at each school and “what we need for our school” signs. vision includes the below elements to help address educational inequities and
will have their own flavor, but together this opportunity gaps in our schools. Many of these elements are already in place and
action to Reclaim Our Schools will send a • Create science-fair-style displays of succeeding at LAUSD schools, and our objective is to lift up and expand these
powerful national message that our com- positive programs at your school to line successful models across the District.
munities reject the privatization of public the entrances.
education and demand greater investment
in neighborhood schools. Locally, our focus • Use playlists, songs, and sidewalk
is on calling for resources to build Sustain- chants to encourage a lively, fun atmosphere.
able Neighborhood Community Schools and
pushing back on the Broad-Walmart scheme • Have your school’s band, drumline,
to defund and dismantle L.A. schools. This or cheerleaders perform.
day of action will be followed by more na-
tional days of action, with the goal of increas- Planning strategies:
ing the number of participating cities each
time and building a national movement. • Hold a parent meeting to discuss
current problems and successes and what
UTLA chapters are planning positive, people want from their school.
engaging actions with parents, students,
and other school staff. At a planning session • Pass out flyers to staff, parents, and
at UTLA on January 14, UTLA members students (look for a template flyer at www.
brainstormed the following messages and utla.net/walkinsignup).
strategies to hold empowering actions that
connect with parents and the community. • Connect with student leadership.
• Plan direct outreach, with each UTLA
Key messages for school-site action: member calling five parents.
• Use social media to spread the word
• On February 17 we will celebrate the before and celebrate the action after.
great things happening at our school and • Contact local businesses, asking for re-
demand resources to make them better. sources or to display student-created signs.
Why walk in? We believe that every
• Our school is the heart of our com- child deserves access to a fully resourced
munity, and we proudly serve every single community public school. We are proud
student in our diverse neighborhood. of our schools and believe that they are
most successful when all stakeholders are
• We believe in working with parents, integrally involved. We stand together—
students, and the community to build parents, educators, students, school staff,
Sustainable Neighborhood Community and community organizations—to send
Schools, and we call for the investment a strong message to policy makers and
and resources to do it. billionaires like Eli Broad that public edu-
cation is NOT for sale. We are reclaiming
• We believe in fully funded public our schools and committing to work in
schools, and we reject Broad-Walmart’s solidarity to ensure that our schools serve
plan to undermine LAUSD. the needs of our communities.

Ideas for event day: Does your school want to partici-
pate? See the signup form and links to
Many of the visuals for the day connect resources and support at www.utla.net/
walkinsignup.

UTLA meeting with LAUSD on • Curriculum that is engaging, culturally relevant, and challenging. It includes a
overtesting broad selection of classes and after-school programs in the arts, languages, and ethnic
studies, as well as AP and honors courses, services for English Language Learners,
Backed by a UTLA member survey that that most of the tests provide little or no special education, GED preparation, and job training. Student learning is supported
shows the vast majority of our educators useful data. through low class sizes and full staffing to address students’ socioemotional needs.
have concerns about the impact of stan-
dardized testing on instructional time, Film screening: “Defies • High-quality teaching, not high stakes testing, is emphasized. Appropriate
UTLA submitted a demand to consult with Measurement” assessments are used to help teachers meet the needs of students, and educators
the District on educational objectives, in ac- have a real voice in professional development.
cordance with the state collective bargain- On February 11 at 4:30 p.m., UTLA will
ing law. The meetings with the District are screen Defies Measurement, a film that ex- • Wrap-around supports such as health care, eye care, and social and emotional
scheduled for January 27 and February 12. plores standardized tests and whether or services are offered to assist learning. These fully funded services are available
The UTLA Testing Task Force also made not they accurately reflect student learning before, during, and after school and are provided year-round to the full community.
an exhaustive document request in an or teacher effectiveness.
attempt to create an inventory of local, • Positive discipline practices such as restorative justice and social and
state, and national assessments being used The film tells the story of Chipman Middle emotional learning supports are stressed so students grow and contribute to
in LAUSD. Task force members will use School in Alameda, California, and how the the school community and beyond. These programs must include the necessary
this assessment inventory, UTLA survey school’s focus on brain-compatible education supports, staffing, and training—not an unfunded implementation like we expe-
results, research, and a changing political addressed the social, emotional and intellec- rienced in LAUSD.
environment to develop demands that will tual needs of every student, fostering a com-
impact the overtesting of our students.  munity of life-long learners. Defies Measure- • Transformational parent and community engagement is promoted so all stake-
UTLA conducted the member survey in ment shows how Chipman had to restructure holders actively participate in planning and decision-making. This process recognizes
November to assess educators’ concerns after the introduction of No Child Left Behind the link between the success of the school and the development of the community
over excessive testing at LAUSD schools. and the struggle to preserve the culture that as a whole.
The majority of members reported that the teachers had worked to create.
they have concerns about the impact of • Schools must embrace equity and access for all students, along with respect
standardized testing on students’ learning Screening and discussion: February 11, for the professional rights of educators and other school employees. Leadership
experiences, and a majority also reported 4:30 p.m., UTLA building (3303 Wilshire must embrace transparency in all aspects of operations.
Blvd., Second Floor Auditorium). For info
and flyer, go to www.utla.net/film021116. 5

United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net January 29, 2016

Members spotlight great things happening at their schools

School Board members hear our message: Stand Up for Our School!

As part of UTLA’s successful push for of school bulletin boards to show the they build on each other as the students and censorship, wrote essays, and together
LAUSD School Board members to pass a engaged learning going on at the school. move through grade levels. read millions of words.
resolution opposing the Broad-Walmart
initiative, UTLA members by the dozens • Dr. Scheherazade Dedman from Vena • Laura Acosta, transitional kindergar- • Adult education teacher Dr. Irene
sent in pictures and stories on the great Magnet Elementary emailed photos of the ten teacher at Sierra Park Elementary, sent James, citizenship instructor at Richard
things happening at their schools. school’s Community Night, which brought in samples of a lesson that has the students Slawson Community Center, sent photos of
parents on campus to do hands-on learn- reenact the three Little Pigs folktale and some of her students who became United
Our message: Teachers and health and ing projects with their children. then taking that content and articulating a States citizens this year.
human services professionals across Los corresponding narrative.
Angeles are offering innovative curricu- • Julianna M. Hunt, a speech and lan- • Lindsey Kohn from Madison Middle
lum, parent involvement, community guage pathologist at South Park Elemen- • Roxsana Jaber-Ansari, teacher at Hale School emailed photos from a recent
partnerships, and more, and we need tary School, sent a small collage Charter Academy, sent in shots of the strong Common Core math lesson using College
School Board members to recognize it, of curriculum-related materials that fine arts and performing arts program at Preparatory Mathematics program (CPM).
be proud of it, invest in it, and make she uses in therapy ses-sions with her the school and also a plea for school space
sure it is not undermined by the Broad- pre-K through sixth-grade students. so these popular programs can expand. • Teacher Librarian Mary Byrne from
Walmart plan. Hunt works out of an inviting therapy Sun Valley High School sent in shots of Cali-
room that she, with the help of • Noriko Nakada from Emerson Middle fornia State Senator Robert M. Hertzberg
“None of these innovative programs students and fellow staff members, created School sent in shots of students holding visiting the school to check out the new
were brought to you by billionaires but by out of an old dust-filled closet. books from Banned Book Week, where library books obtained through a $5,000
teachers and students giving of their own students discussed intellectual freedom grant Byrne applied for and won.
time to make magic happen,” Lawrence • Kim Jones, NBCT, from King Middle
Middle School teacher Brent Smiley wrote School, sent photos of some of the com-
in his submission to the School Board on pelling projects happening at the schools,
the school’s participation in Model UN including the “Food: From Farm to Face”
and many other special activities. “With elective class where students harvest food
all the tumult touting the ills of LAUSD, from the garden, visit a farmers’ market,
what is often obscured is the incredible and make food with the produce.
work that individual teachers, parents,
students, and administrators are doing at  • Paul Lowe from MacArthur Park VPA
every single school in this district. There Elementary School sent photographs of a
are teachers at every school giving freely recent field trip to 826 LA, where students
of their time, energy, and effort to offer worked together in a simulated publish-
the students of this district a world-class ing house to develop an authentic work
education.” of fiction that included illustrations and a
short bio of each author.
Here’s a sample of the innovative cur-
riculum, field trips, parent outreach, arts • Former parent and teacher assistant
and music programs, health services, and Debbie Vodhanel at Walter Reed Middle
more that members shared with LAUSD School sent in a link to the student-written
School Board members as part of UTLA’s “Reed Review Student News,” which cel-
Stand Up for Our School! campaign. ebrates campus life.

• Karen Anagnost from John F. Kennedy • Katherine Williamson, general/vocal
High School’s Architecture • Digital Design music teacher, send details on her sequen-
• Filmmaking Magnet School shared a slide tial lessons plans for K-5 classes and how
she made representing the school’s innova-
tive Career Technical Education programs
that are part of the three magnet strands.

• Randy Childs from the Emerson Middle School ESP Academy Sierra Park Elementary
Environmental and Social Vena Elementary
Policy (ESP) Magnet
Academy emailed photos
capturing just a few
examples of how the
academy connects class-
room instruction to un-
forgettable outdoor learn-
ing experiences, such as
visiting Marsh Park in a
whole-school field trip to
learn about how urban
society has impacted the
Los Angeles River and to
study water samples from
the river with the school’s
chemistry teacher.

• Gloria Craine from
the Ellen Ochoa Learning
Center shared a photo of
the recent Donuts with
Dad event that the TK
and kindergarten classes
hosted for fathers, grand-
fathers, and uncles in the
school community.

• Harvey Abram from JFK High School Van Gogh Elementary
Van Gogh Charter Elemen-
tary sent in multiple shots Emerson Middle School

6

United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net January 29, 2016

Eighty-six educators earn prestigious National Board certification

For the third year in a row, LAUSD leads the nation in the number of new NBCTs.

At an annual event held at UTLA educators to stay in the classroom. The cer-
headquarters, the Support Network cel- tification, which is one of the profession’s
ebrated the amazing accomplishment of highest distinctions, involves written exer-
the 86 LAUSD teachers who have met the cises and assessments that probe the depth
rigorous standards as National Board of a candidate’s content knowledge and
Certified Teachers (NBCTs) from the pedagogy. Like board-certified doctors
National Board for Professional Teach- and accountants, teachers who achieve
ing Standards. For the third time in a National Board Certification have met rig-
row, LAUSD teachers gained the largest orous standards through intensive study,
number of newly certified NBCTs of any expert evaluation, self-assessment, and
school district in the nation. Since 1997, peer review. The work amounts to about
there have been 2,595 LAUSD teachers 400 hours on top of an already full teaching
who certified while teaching in LAUSD. load, and candidates can take up to five
To date, more than 112,000 teachers in years to certify.
all 50 states and the District of Colum-
bia have achieved the profession’s gold If you are interested in pursuing Na- Top of their class: Some of the 86 LAUSD teachers who achieved National Board Certification
standard for accomplished teaching, tional Board Certification, please visit this year celebrate at the UTLA building.
based on standards—created by teachers, www.thesupportnetwork.net for more in-
for teachers—that define what teachers formation or contact Michael de la Torre
must know and be able to do to advance at [email protected].
student learning.
Congrats to our new NBCTs
The National Board for Professional
Teaching Standards has a 43% certification Ninfa Acosta Rosa Flores Rosa Madrigal Mandana Saidi
rate. To help teachers through the certifi- Bodin Adler Lizeth Garcia Carmen Magana Diana Shar
cation process, most LAUSD candidates Marilou Adra Reynaldo Garibay Esmeralda Manzo Catherine Smith
join the Support Network, a joint UTLA- Ma Teresa Aki Moleetha Gibson- Megan Markevich Jorge Sombillo
LAUSD program headquartered at UTLA, Korey Aquino Donna Matthews Eve Somers
that offers facilitated workshops and peer Thomas Babbitt Murray Juan Menchaca Hyun-Jung Song
support. It is the largest union-sponsored Lori Billaud Michael Goldstein Kevin Morris Susan Spillane
program of its kind in the country. Paulianne Bolinger-Werthwein Nohemi Gonzalez Raymond Moser Lance Steinberg
Kristen Calvin Edward Gorton Melinda Ng Teresa Thain
“Year after year, I am impressed by the Virginia Casillas Jessica Gutierrez Leslie Nguyen Andrea Vandunk
large numbers of educators who take on Sylvia Castaneda Kathleen Hickman Ellen Pak Mary Ann Villuan-Santiago
the challenge of National Board, which Eunice Choi Julissa Ibarra Kris Panagiotis Rosan Wachi
is one of the most powerful professional Rachel Cimino Melissa Innocenzi Sandra Paris Jennifer Walker
development experience available,” said Dalia Coronel Jane Kim Andrew Park Jennifer S. Walker
Michael de la Torre, NBCT, coordinator of Sandra Cruz Wendy Kinoshita Georgia Paschalidis Carrie Wan
the Support Network. “Even if candidates Marcella Deboer Deanna Kuper Freder Pastora James Westhoff
don’t earn certification their first year, the Angel Diaz Tiana Lam Maricela Peralta-Cantoni Lauren Willard
NBCT process changes them as profes- Trevor Downs Frank Lee Michelle Peraza Kristen Williams
sionals, and they should be applauded for Susan Dunn Brian Leiken Tara Peters Michelle Youngblood Jarman
devoting their time, energy, and resources Sharon Eells Stever Leung Cortney Powers Claudia Zaragoza
to improving their practice.” Taiesha Flenaugh Yasmin Lilly Javier Ramiro Elise Zimmerman
Maria Flores Christal Lord John Rodriguez
National Board Certification is a vol- Julie Love
untary high-stakes assessment program
designed to recognize and reward ac-
complished teachers. NBCTs in LAUSD
are eligible for a 15% salary increase, a
benefit negotiated by UTLA to encourage

Accolades for educators

UTLA member in the running for students never knew they had, and to Robert Ward has written two books for National Teacher
National Teacher of the Year inspire them to travel to places they never educators that have been published by of the Year finalist
dreamt they would see,” he says. Rowman and Littlefield. The Firm, Fair, Daniel Jocz
One of UTLA’s own, Downtown Fascinating Facilitator approaches teach-
Magnets High School teacher Daniel Jocz, Teachers present on ing by equally emphasizing classroom Above: Drama teacher
has advanced from California Teacher of the arts integration management, teacher-student rapport, Carol Tanzman (far
Year to be one of only four finalists for the student engagement, and effective in- right) and sixth-grade
National Teacher of the Year Award. Jocz Sixth-grade teacher Doris Riley from struction. The Teacher Tune-Up is a com- teacher Doris Riley
was singled out for, among other things, Rockdale VAPA Elementary Magnet and panion workbook and discussion guide (second from right) at a
his efforts to incorporate the perspectives itinerant drama teacher Carol Tanzman aimed at assisting new teachers, as well forum on arts integra-
of all groups of people into his classroom. were invited to represent LAUSD in No- as reinvigorating veterans. tion sponsored by radio
vember at KPCC’s Crawford Family Forum station KPCC.
“The experience of African Ameri- on “Arts Integration: A Boundary Breaker Using his 23 years of LAUSD
cans, women, immigrants, workers, the in Teaching Common Core.” The panel dis- classroom experience, Ward advo- A new book for educators
poor, and LGBT individuals is American cussed the three ways to integrate arts into cates for sensible, balanced strat- by King Middle School
History,” Jocz says. the classroom: discrete arts lessons taught by egies that motivate students and teacher Robert Ward.
arts teachers, the classroom teacher teach- work within the reality of today’s
Jocz has created a curriculum that chal- ing a standards-based art lesson that ties classrooms. Both books are available 7
lenges students to not narrowly define lit- directly into curriculum, and collaboration on Amazon.com and Rowman.com.
eracy as just reading and writing, but also to of an arts teacher and a classroom teacher Ward has also just completed a book
include global, social media, popular culture, on large projects with the students. A link for parents written from a classroom
and digital literacy. To help achieve these to the entire panel discussion can be found teacher’s perspective that will be in
goals he created a popular history YouTube www.scpr.org/events/forum/archive. print by summer.
channel, has participated in seven interna-
tional teaching programs, and coordinates English teacher publishes To submit news for “Accolades”:
school-wide activities as Leadership Advisor. books for educators Email details and photos to UTnews-
[email protected].
“As a teacher you have the opportunity King Middle School English teacher
to prepare students for jobs that haven’t
even been created yet, awaken passions

United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net January 29, 2016

Birmingham Charter scores contract victory

Educators negotiate 11% raise and enhanced stipends.

The educators at Birmingham Com- their determination through a series of Ballot counting for the contract agreement, The Birmingham Community Charter High
munity Charter High School stood firm actions, including the delivery of a peti- which passed on a vote of 104 to 1. bargaining team (above) was supported in
through their contract fight and emerged tion (signed by 97% of the members) at a their work by member solidarity, including a
with an 11% salary increase, enhanced sti- special board meeting at the school. After front lines. We can fight to preserve our petition signed by 97% of the staff.
pends, and a greater voice in the selection delivery of that petition, management’s health benefits. We can form a united front
of coordinators and instructional coaches. salary offer moved from 4% to 11%. and do what it takes to keep our school Charter Elementary, Ivy Academia, and
teacher-led.” Granada Hills Charter High. A number
The agreement underscores the power “To me, the most important thing of other sites, including Accelerated, Bir-
in collective bargaining and in united about our union at Birmingham is for us Some of the highlights of the agreement: mingham Charter, Apple Academy, Port of
action to support that bargaining. School to work toward having the kind of work- • 11% salary increase over three years. Los Angeles High, and Student Empower-
management began negotiations with a place where teachers could plan on spend- Salary increase comes with three addi- ment Academy are in bargaining now or
2% salary offer and a list of take-backs, ing their career,” Birmingham science tional work days (one pupil-free day). are going into bargaining soon.
including a cap on employer-paid health teacher Mark Turner says. “When we all • $200,000 to enhance stipends, with
benefits. Birmingham educators pushed stand together, it creates a very power- teachers part of the decision-making UTLA represents more than 1,000
back, intent on not allowing their contract ful message. Through our union we can process, and new stipends for teachers members at independent charter schools
to be gutted and showing management speak up with our perspective from the with more than three class preparations. who are covered by bargaining agreements
• Four one-hour morning meetings specific to their sites. Belonging to a union
Faith leaders call on Alliance during work time with teacher-driven allows these educators the right to bargain
to stop coercive tactics content. over conditions of employment, and it
• New election process for coordinators gives them a voice to advocate for them-
and improved member voice in selection selves and their students.
of instructional coaches and selection of
auxiliary teachers and traveling teachers.
The Birmingham contract follows suc-
cessful agreements reached at a number
of charter schools, including El Camino
High, Palisades Charter High, Pacoima

Religious leaders outside the offices of Alliance College-Ready Public Schools on January UTLA readies for “reopener”
14. The delegation from Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) called negotiations
on management to agree to a fair and neutral process during a union organizing drive
by workers at Alliance schools. We’re back at the table on class size, student servic-
es staffing, and teacher development and support.
Religious leaders from across Los members and organizers their right to
Angeles visited the offices of Alli- speak with other educators after school UTLA will be pressing to build on The contract calls for UTLA and
ance College-Ready Public Schools on hours on school property. progress in last year’s contact agree- LAUSD to jointly develop a teacher
January 14. The delegation from Clergy ment—which included first-ever lan- support and development system to
and Laity United for Economic Justice The action by CLUE follows a filing guage on class-size caps and counselor replace the flawed Teacher Growth and
(CLUE) called on management to obey of a Public Records Act request by ratios—in bargaining expected to begin Development Cycle (TGDC) for the
court orders, end coercive treatment parents of Alliance students to find out in the spring. 2016-17 school year. UTLA’s goal is to
of teachers and counselors, and agree how much money Alliance is spending bargain a proactive vision of educator
to a fair and neutral process during a on its anti-union campaign against edu- The agreement calls for “reopener” development that moves from a limited
union organizing drive by educators at cators instead of their children’s needs. negotiations in 2015-16 on class size, focus on “evaluation” toward a career
Alliance schools. student services staffing, and teacher growth and professional learning system
In December, an L.A. Superior Court development and support. At the Feb- that supports educators from their first
“We unequivocally support the judge issued a preliminary injunction ruary 9 LAUSD School Board meeting, day in the classroom to their last.
right of professional educators at Al- against Alliance College-Ready Public UTLA will meet our legal obliga-
liance College-Ready Public Schools Schools for its unlawful anti-union tion to “sunshine” (open for public Lower class sizes and expanded social
to exercise their right to organize,” campaign. The move requires the comment) the articles we intend to services for students are a key platform of
wrote CLUE leaders in an open letter charter chain’s management to im- bargain. Formal bargaining will start the Schools L.A. Students Deserve, and
to the board of directors of the Alli- mediately cease harassment of teach- sometime after that. these bargaining reopeners will be synced
ance, as well as educators and parents. ers and counselors who are joining with our broader strategic campaign to
The letter from 50 religious leaders calls together to form a union. Three joint UTLA-LAUSD commit- build Sustainable Neighborhood Com-
on Alliance management to: “Listen tees dedicated to these issues—the munity Schools. As with the past contract
to your teachers and respect their fun- Alliance management and all schools Class-Size Task Force, the Student cycle, the key to making progress in bar-
damental right to organize a union are now restrained from blocking access Health Services Task Force, and the gaining rests in the member organizing
without coercion, influence, or inter- to facilities, blocking union email, Educators Development and Support and the parent-community outreach we
ference. Repair the damage done by polling to identify union supporters, Committee—have been meeting regu- do to support our demands.
coming to an agreement with Alliance and maintaining and sponsoring anti- larly since August. Through these ses-
teachers for a fair and neutral process union petitions. They also must not sions, UTLA has been requesting key The 2% raise effective January 1 is
to organize their union.” monitor or surveil organizing activity. LAUSD documents on actual class sizes the final installment of the 10% salary
The injunction, sought by California’s across the District, staffing ratios for increase in the 2014-2017 contract agree-
Since the Alliance educators first Public Employment Relations Board counselors and other social services ment. In 2016-17, there will be reopeners
went public in March 2015 with their (PERB), comes after an earlier tempo- professionals, waivers for class-size on salary and class size, along with
drive to organize a union with UTLA, rary restraining order issued in October. averages and maximums, special edu- three articles each chosen by UTLA and
administration has conducted a cam- PERB has already issued four unfair cation caseloads, and more. LAUSD.
paign of intimidation that has included, practice complaints against Alliance
among other violations, threatening in- for violations of California labor law,
dividual teachers with possible impact and the injunction issued by the L.A.
on their evaluations if they engage Superior Court remains in effect until
in union activity and denying union the proceedings on all the complaints
are completed.

8

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day is the magic number. You 2 days in a row. Give your energy you’ll have. You might
can even break it up into 3 body the time it needs to think you’ll be worn out after your
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Please recycle. 60356015 October 2015
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United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net January 29, 2016

From the treasurer

Inspired by the past and ready for the future

UTLA has a long history of being a voice for public education in L.A.

for 22,000 educators who are committed to
the improvement of the program offered
to the children of Los Angeles. At the heart
of this recognition of UTLA is the promise
that it holds for the future: a strong, united
body of educators able to make an impact
with the Board of Education, the public,
and the politicians.”

At the gathering of former UTLA
leaders, the continuity of the struggle was
discussed and how the past informs the
present and our roadmap for the coming
year. Here are some of the connections we
made between then and now

By Arlene Inouye 1970s: Collective bargaining UTLA’s 1970 strike solidified the young union.
UTLA Treasurer
Then: UTLA fights for the passage of UTLA members at the Sports Arena for a mass meeting during the 1989 strike. That
I hope that each of you had a wonder- the Rodda Act in 1975, which establishes work stoppage won members a significant raise, medical benefits for retirees, an end to
ful winter break that provided refresh- collective bargaining for educators and in elementary yard duty, and decision-making power for parents and teachers.
ment and rejuvenation for the new year. doing so redefines the profession. Teachers
Entering 2016 provides the opportunity and health and human services profes- parents a voice in budget, scheduling, new Educator Development and Support-
for reflection on the past as we move sionals first sit at the table and negotiate and curriculum decisions. system will be bargained in the coming year.
forward into the future with our 2015-17 salaries, benefits, and teaching conditions.
Strategic Plan. Now: The guiding principle behind Aside from the issues that have re-
Now: UTLA achieved a significant UTLA’s organizing (such as the Local mained relevant through the decades, some
The winter break gave me the opportu- contract victory in 2015 that built on past Control Funding Formula trainings) is areas that have disproportionately grown
nity to spend quality time with my 93-year- contract agreements by adding first-ever to help members and parents be strong over the past 20 years are the privatiza-
old mother, who has been widowed for language on class size and student-coun- advocates for students. tion of our schools, the influence of cor-
20 years. She lives alone in the home that selor ratios. UTLA continues to fight for porate billionaires, and growing income
I grew up in, chosen because it was near representation and union rights for all 1990s: Coalition to inequality. UTLA continues to build a large
great public schools (Clover Elementary, educators by actively supporting charter Save Public Education coalition to fight the Broad-Walmart plan
Webster Middle School, and University school educators who want to unionize for and demand accountability for all publicly
High School). We pored through boxes a greater voice in their schools. Then: UTLA forms the Coalition to funded schools. We know that the steps we
of old photographs that will be incorpo- Save Public Education to take on Eli have taken over the past year are only the
rated into her life story, which she wrote 1970s: Support for Broad, who is funneling millions to beginning in what will be a war for public
10 years ago. She wrote it with her great high-needs schools School Board campaigns in support of education.
grandchildren in mind, who are seven and corporate reform candidates.
nine years old. She wants them to know Then: UTLA creates “inner-city” nego- As we move forward into 2016, it is great
about their family history. tiations package that includes demands Now: The Coalition to Save Public to remember that we stand on the shoulders
to support the highest-need schools with Education is a precursor to the coalition of those who have gone before us. We have
In a similar way, UTLA has a history additional staffing and lower class sizes. behind the Schools L.A. Students Deserve a solid foundation and a history of being
and a story that we should reflect on as we campaign. UTLA continues to go head-to- a voice for our members and the students
embark on an epic 2016. Last fall, UTLA Now: UTLA’s School L.A. Students head with the billionaires in School Board in Los Angeles, who deserve a great public
held a first-time event that gathered to- Deserve platform is built on a vision of campaigns and now against the Broad- education. I am inspired by the past and
gether former officers and longtime staff lower class sizes and fully staffed schools Walmart scheme. ready for the future as we move forward
for an “Honoring the Past, Celebrating with relevant and engaging curriculum. with the Strategic Plan and invest in UTLA
the Present” event in the UTLA building In the coming months, UTLA will begin 2010s: Taking on VAM for a strong and united union.
(see coverage in the December 18 UNITED bargaining around class size and counselor
TEACHER). This event (which we want and student health services ratios. Then: As value-added measures (VAM) Arlene can be reached at [email protected].
to hold on a regular basis) provided an spread across the country, UTLA pushes
opportunity to make personal connections 1970s: Prop. 13 decimates back against this flawed system of measur- To view a short video about UTLA’s his-
but also to tell stories and weave them school budgets ing teacher performance. tory, see the link at www.utla.net/cc.
together to inform the present.
Then: In the 1970s the backlash against Now: That fight paved the way for
When I first began as UTLA treasurer taxes in California culminates in the passage UTLA’s 2015 contract win, eliminating the
4½ years ago, I was unfamiliar with the arc of Proposition 13, which shifted the major Teacher Growth and Development Cycle. A
of UTLA history, so I went to the archives source of school funding to the state and
to read about our beginning. I learned began a decline from California having a
about the cyclical nature of the struggles first-class education to being at the bottom
we have faced and the battles we have of the nation in per-pupil spending.
fought through the years.
Now: In 2012, UTLA, along with a broad
From our start in the 1970s, UTLA statewide coalition led by CFT and CTA,
members were fighting for adequate worked for the passage of Proposition 30,
funding to improve school conditions which provides significant funding for
for students, fair salaries and benefits for public education. Now we are fighting for
educators, and the restoration of effective the extension of Prop. 30 on the Novem-
programs. When UTLA was formed, there ber 2016 ballot and exploring additional
was a vision for what UTLA could be as a revenue for our public schools.
united and strong organized membership.
As UTLA President Bob Ransom stated 1980s: Prioritizing the classroom
in July 1970: “It is clear that this involve- over the bureaucracy & winning a
ment of teachers and educators in the greater voice for educators
decision-making process of the district is
a testimony to the effectiveness of UTLA Then: UTLA coins the phrase “Chop
From the Top” to take on the bloated Dis-
trict bureaucracy. Later, the 1989 strike
results in the creation of School-Based
Management, giving educators and

10

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United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net January 29, 2016

From the secondary VP

The need to restore credibility

What do the Porter Ranch gas leak and LAUSD’s failed firing of a teacher have in common?

By Colleen Schwab our schools: Porter Ranch Community together. UTLA members were given paid cerns regarding impartiality . . . admit-
UTLA Secondary Vice President School and Castle Bay Elementary. The time to move belongings and prepare for ted that the District never received any
Southern California Gas Company began a new school and classroom. With the complaints from parents . . . no students
Credibility. Where do we hope to find its defense of the situation by claiming that outstanding leadership of Sunny Brae interviewed.” In fact, the author of the
credibility? Certainly, in the profession- the fumes were not problematic and that chapter chair Sherry Goldojarb, Castle decision in this case spent a considerable
al world, individuals and institutions the red eyes, sore throats, headaches, and Bay chapter chair Patricia Lingard, North- amount of verbiage on the intent of bring-
attempt to give an appearance of main- nausea were not related to the gas in the ridge Middle School chapter chair Rodney ing this case to a proposed dismissal. It was
taining credibility. But what happens air. Interesting. Suddenly, many people Harding, and Porter Ranch Community evidenced that positive reports about the
when credibility is deemed to be false— in the area are all experiencing similar School chapter chair Jason Mustard, along teacher were ignored. Observations were
when an institution has lost its credibil- symptoms but there is no relation to the with their principals, a new learning envi- not done. Overall, the decision is 54 pages
ity with the people they are entrusted leak of methane gas? I think not. ronment has begun. When this nightmare chronicling LAUSD’s lack of credibility.
to serve? will end is uncertain, but what is certain
UTLA members were quick to be con- is that the school professionals involved The abuse of “teacher jail” and the
You are no doubt aware of the Porter cerned. I met with the faculties at both in this emergency situation maintained unfair targeting of educators for dis-
Ranch gas leak, which has now displaced schools, and believe me, the effects of the and demonstrated credibility. missal has been reduced since the exit
thousands of residents along with two of gas leak are real. Perhaps when the Federal of Mr. Not-So-Credible John Deasy, but
Aviation Administration prohibited air- Now let’s look at times when the Dis- the District still has much work to do to
craft from flying over the area SoCal Gas trict’s credibility is questionable. Recently, earn back credibility with the community
began a more focused response? Cred- UTLA attorneys won a significant perma- and its employees on this and many other
ibility or lack thereof? nent teacher dismissal case with a unani- issues. Superintendent Michelle King has
mous vote to reinstate the teacher to the a monumental task ahead of her, and she
It is imperative that I do, however, com- classroom. What is significant is that the has indicated that restoring faith in our
pliment the District (specifically, LAUSD Office of Administrative Hearings, which District is of utmost importance. The
Local Superintendent Vivian Ekchian) in hears teacher dismissal cases, usually challenges ahead are in need of solu-
its handling of the situation. From the renders a 10- to 15-page decision on a case. tions now. The District and its employ-
beginning, Ekchian was quite concerned This case resulted in a 54-page decision, ees deserve a work environment where
about the working conditions and health with approximately 40 pages covering the credibility is a reality. Our classrooms
of students, families, and employees. demonstrated lack of credibility on the part and schools are filled with miracles and
She regularly reviewed reports of the of the people who testified on the District’s impressive work every day. Let’s give the
gas levels, ultimately deciding that the behalf. The report had pointed things to community the real story of our work
schools had to be moved and finding a say about the questionable testimony of and the successes of our schools. Now
way to relocate them to shared campuses the District’s main witness: “Raised con- THAT’S real credibility!
to keep the entire school communities

12

United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net January 29, 2016

Keeping track

The Friedrichs case: Membership, money, and power

Where there are a lot of union members, the workers make more money.

By Daniel Barnhart of different angles to consider, but when This past year, membership and our union that helps turn membership into
UTLA Secretary I think about how to talk to colleagues, participation in UTLA has meant the might, people into power, and good ideas
friends, and the public at large about difference between 2% (the District’s into concrete progress. It’s our money, our
On January 11, the Supreme Court heard it, I think one helpful way to break it initial raise offer) and 10% on pay, and dues, our contribution to each other in the
oral arguments in the Friedrichs case, and down is to say that it really boils down the difference between continued health form of our union that the billionaires want
for one day it seemed the topics of union to one simple fact: When working people care coverage for our families and un- to take away.
membership, union dues, and the political join unions, and union membership is specified cut-backs and out-of-pocket
rights of union members were covered in high, working people make more money. expenses. We can’t always point to such As a union, over the past six months,
every major media outlet. As someone The Friedrichs case is about a calculated blatant examples of the benefits of union from top to bottom, from the Valley to the
who spends a lot of my day dealing with attempt to bring union membership levels membership, but the proof shows up in Harbor, we’ve been involved in a long
union membership issues, I was gratified even further down, so that the balance your paystub. There really isn’t a guaran- overdue conversation with ourselves about
to see this kind of coverage.  of political power swings even further tee that paying X amount of union dues the kind of union we need to become, and
toward the wealthy and powerful few, means saving “greater than X” dollars the need to invest in higher dues to become
As you can see from the full page insert and away from the rest of us. each month, but the relationship is so that stronger union we have to be in the
on pages 14 and 15, there is a lot going on strong, that economists don’t dispute it: months and years ahead. Whatever the
with the Friedrichs v. CTA case, and a lot When we see the last 2% of the 10% Where there are a lot of union members, outcome of the Supreme Court’s decision
pay raise on the February paycheck, we the workers make more money. on Friedrichs, the fact that we have been
will be able to see the clear financial ben- reengaging our membership with the
efits of union membership, just as we can If Rebecca Friedrichs (and the other union, and deepening our understanding
see the financial contribution needed to teachers who were recruited by the bil- of the relationship between membership
maintain that union: our monthly union lionaire-funded, right-wing law firm the dues and the organized power needed to
dues. Allowing people to opt out of the Center for Individual Rights) was saying make public education stronger, will only
dues but still get the raise, the health ben- that she believed so strongly that she prepare us to move forward together, no
efits, and the protection of their working shouldn’t have to be a part of a union, matter how the Supreme Court votes. A
conditions that are part of the collective or associated with a union’s message, strong “yes” vote on Build the Future,
bargain our union has made with our or contributing to a union, that she also Fund the Fight will help too.
employers makes no sense. If someone didn’t want to have to be a part of receiv-
doesn’t want to accept the obligations of ing a union-negotiated pay scale, health Am I a member?
union membership (paying dues and par- benefits, or job protections, it would be a
ticipating), then that someone shouldn’t whole different story. It would at least be If your pay stub reads “UTLA
expect the benefits of union membership intellectually honest, and the principled - Member Dues,” you’ve signed
and collective bargaining. thing to do, if you reject the union, to also up and you’re a member.
reject any union pay raises or negotiated
CREATI VITY SPRING 2016 benefits. Taking it a step further, if Fried- If it reads “UTLA - Agency
richs didn’t want to be a part of union, I’m Fee,” you are not currently a
IN THE SATURDAYS sure there is a non-union charter school UTLA member and should fill
where she could work, where her pay- out a membership application,
CLASSROOM 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM check wouldn’t have to have union or available at utla.net/member-
FEBRUARY 27 fair share dues taken out. But no one app. Joining UTLA gives you
Join us at our beautiful campus MARCH 12 questions why she didn’t just leave for a access to special benefits and
for five fun and engaging APRIL 2, 16, 30 non-union employer, because we know privileges, including voting
workshops for K-12 classroom that, among other reasons, she’d make a rights and the power to shape
teachers and teaching artists. HANDS-ON CLASSES lot less money. Even Rebecca Friedrichs policy on issues that affect your
knows the simple premise of this column: classroom and public eductaion.
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STANDING TOGETHER FOR OUR SCHOOLS AND OUR STUDENTS

E PLURIBUS UNUM

THE ISSUE OnnJJaann..1111, 22001166,, WHAT IS FAIR SHARE? THE FACTS
tthhee UUnniitteeddSSttaatetess
It is no secret that America’s economy has swung out of balance. SSuupprreemmeeCCoouurtrt Fair Share fees are the cost of union representation and NO ONE IS REQUIRED
aaFwhmv.rrelieigCalaenlTuwrdhtdAmsrse,oiuicaeanrihrnatlFsalottrwsahvrier.aiasgndCluturiTi-tAch, s bargaining. No one is forced to join a union, but unions are TO JOIN A UNION, AND
It’s getting harder and harder to get by, let alone get ahead, and cthhaatllcehnaglleesngthees legally required to represent all workers. Teachers and other NO ONE IS REQUIRED
everyday Americans are working more than ever before. Our work athuethaoutrhitoyroitfy of public employees who don’t want to belong to a union only TO PAY ANY FEES THAT
has created record wealth for an economic recovery that’s been CTAA aannddooththeer r have to contribute to the costs of representation they receive.
everywhere but ordinary peoples’ wallets. In addition, our schools GO TO POLITICS OR
and other public services have suffered. puubblliicceemmpploloyyeee Since all workers enjoy the benefits, job security and other POLITICAL CANDIDATES
protections the union negotiates, it is only fair that all
Now there is a Supreme Court case that threatens to make things unioonnssttooccoollelecctt contribute to the cost of securing those benefits and but
worse. Friedrichs v. CTA is about wealthy special interests that want to FFaaiirr SShhaarreeffeeeess. . protections. It’s not fair for some to pay more for the benefits
shi the balance of economic power in their favor, and make it even all workers enjoy. The current Fair Share system is a good BY LAW, UNIONS MUST
more difficult for working people to come together, speak up compromise and common sense. REPRESENT AND
collectively, get ahead and help create an economy that works for
everyone, and serve their communities in the best way possible. In states where Fair Share has been banned, workers are BARGAIN FOR EVERY
worse off. If the Supreme Court bans Fair Share, it will make it WORKER, WHETHER
Our very future is at stake. Educators, in particular, must fight to harder for teachers, firefighters, and nurses to stand together THEY JOIN THE UNION
ensure that our schools remain strong and our students get the to fight for our students and schools, and to negotiate for
quality public education they deserve. wages and benefits. OR NOT.

THE TIMELINE ROBERT REICH 25
Number of states with “right to
1977 2013 2014 2015 2016 Professor of public work” laws (more accurately
policy and former termed “right to work for less”)
The Abood Case Friedrichs Suit Filed Signals From the Court Gearing Up for Battle Awaiting the Decision U.S. Secretary of Labor that deprive workers of
bargaining power
U.S. Supreme Court Plaintiffs accept rulings Supreme Court’s ruling in Supreme Court agrees Oral arguments commence The decline of union membership has mirrored
rules public-sector against them so they can Harris v. Quinn indicates almost exactly the decline of the middle class. $5,971
unions can collect Fair fast-track the case to it may be willing to hear Friedrichs; in January; the court must Strong unions mean a strong middle class, Average amount less that
Share fees from the Supreme Court. workers in right-to-work states
non-union employees. to overturn Abood. hundreds file amicus briefs issue its ruling by June 30, ’’which means a strong economy. make compared to workers in
states that allow Fair Share fees
in support of CTA/NEA. 2016, or before.

WHY IS THIS CASE IMPORTANT? WHO IS SPEAKING UP FOR WORKING FAMILIES?

Public employee unions are made up of teachers, Friedrichs v. CTA is being pushed by those who seek Hundreds of legal and educational scholars; civil rights organizations; public employee unions; educators and school
firefighters, nurses and other working people. Our individual profit and personal gain by damaging protec- districts; cities, counties and states; and elected officials and lawmakers have filed amicus briefs in support of CTA and
victories are everyone’s victory, contributing to our tions for hardworking families and their communities. NEA. Here are some excerpts:
economy and the quality of life for all. These are the same rules and protections that have
formed the foundation for people to work together for Overturning Abood “would undermine one of the most successful vehicles for providing CORIIRVGGIHLsTS
Everyone who works should be able to make ends better public services — smaller class sizes, quicker economic and professional opportunities for American workers, and, in particular, for
meet, have a say about their future, and have the right to response times in emergencies, and better staffing for women, people of color, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender workers. ... Unions
negotiate collectively for better wages and benefits that hospitals — and more vibrant communities. have provided a critical path to the middle class for generations of working people,
can sustain their family and community. including the nurses, rst responders, teachers, and others who comprise the membership
of public sector unions.”
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
— National Women’s Law Center, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights,
the Human Rights Campaign, and 70 additional organizations committed to civil rights

A WELL-ROUNDED The stakes are high for our students, CAROL PEEK “[We] have gone into the relatively low-paying profession of public education out of love for DE&DISSUCTCHRAIOCTOTOSLRS
EDUCATION WITH ART, educators and communities. A ruling our country’s children. [We believe] that public education is the bedrock of what has
MUSIC, PE AND MORE in favor of Friedrichs could jeopardize a SCHOOL MONITOR made, and what will continue to make, the United States of America a great nation. ...
quality education for our children. Without the ability to e ectively engage in collective bargaining, individual teachers will
CLASS SIZES THAT Ventura Education be left voiceless in protecting their livelihoods, the learning environments of their students,
ALLOW FOR ONE-ON- Students and schools have already been Support Professionals and the future of public education.”
hit by funding cuts that deprive them of
arts and PE programs, up-to-date Association — 16 individual teachers
textbooks, recess, and smaller class sizes.
If our unions are weakened, it will be School districts secure more e ective collective bargaining relationships with unions that
harder for us to fight collectively for what have “the stability to make di cult agreements that may be unpopular but are in the
long-term interests of employees, students and the entire community.”

— 14 school districts

MOROENAENINDSMTROURCETION oeffuer csttuivdeeanntds nseuestda.inItowuirllfbame hiliaersd,ewreto IMt’syijmopboisrttaontbfeoromn e — United States government
HIGH-STAKES TESTING nleeagvoetoiauter cgoomomd uwnoitrikeisngbectotenrdoitffiotnhsa,n we ttohehafrvoentthleinriegshttoto
LEARNING INSTEAD OF wfoaugnedstahnedmb. Eenveerfiytos.ne benefits from mvoaickeecsounrceeornusr over “PSteatitteisonhearvse’ aattseigmnpi tctaondteamnodlivsahlitdhiisnCteoruerst’sinsebtetliendgfarablme etoweomrkpflooryatnhaelmyzoindgelcsoonfditions of G&FEOSDVTEATRsTAEL
MSCOHROE AONL DSAMFOETRYEWITH collective bargaining. satnuydtheinngtstahraet msaifgeh.t pcoulblelicctievme bpalorygmaiennint g[utnhdaetrhtahveeFpirostveAdmseuncdcmesesfnutl]fworouacldhiaesvtionngislahbtohrepfoeuancedianngdgaenvoeirdaitniogn...
HEHAIGLTHH-YSTLAEKAERSNTINESGTAINNGD When we’re able to give our children a Iimt’spimairptohretasnatfefotyr mofe astnridkewso,”ualnddstfaomr ipmopurtotvhinegstahteee-byc-sietantceyvaanrdiaqtiuoanliitny pouf pbluicb-leicmspelrovyicmeesn. t structures that
WORKING ENVIRONMENTS qInusatlaittyesedthuactahtiaovne, bmaankneeoduFrawiroSrhkamreo, rtehe tmoyhsatvuedtehnetsr.igJehot ptoar-
SCHOOL SAFETY WITH aevffeercatgiveewanodrkseursmtaainkeosu$r5fa,m97il1ieles,sws peer vdoizicinegcmonycaebrnilistyovtoer —ha2s1bseteantetshaenhdatllhmeaDrikstorifcthoifsCCoolurmt’bs iFairst Amendment jurisprudence for decades”.
HAEFAALTIRHSYALLEAARRYNTIHNAGTAND lyeeaavr,ewoourrkceorsmamreumniutiechs bleeststelirkeolffytthoahnawvee sapneytahkinugp tfhoar tthmeimghits
WOINRKCILNUGDESNRVEIRTOIRNEMENTS fhoeuanltdhtihnesumra. nEcvee,ryaonndethbeernaetefitosffrom — United States government
AND HEALTH CARE cwoolrlekpctlaivceebdaeragthaisniisn5g4. percent higher. ’’aimripsakifrotrheevsearfyeotynoe.f
A FAIR SALARY THAT “CStoaltlecsthivaevbeaargsiaginniincgahnatsapnrdoveanlidbeinteertessftoirnpbuebinligc aemblepltooyemrsp. .l.o. [yIt]hiesmlinodkedlstoofa host of S&LECUGHNAOLILOANRSS
INCLUDES RETIREMENT WIn ostrakteersrtighahttshtahvaet buannionnesdhFaavier Sfohuagreh,ttfhoer my students. Jeopar-
AND HEALTH CARE aavnedrawgoenwinocrlkuedrem: akes $5,971 less per dizing my ability to creollaletcetdivweobrakrpglaicneinbgentheatsh, ianvcelupdroinvgedresduuccedssefuml pfoloryaecehtiuevrninogvelar,bionrcrpeeaasceedajnobd saavtoiisdfainc-g ...
•ye8a-rh, owuorrwkeorrskadreaym, 4uc0h-hloesusr lwikoerlykwtoeheakve speak up for them is
•hewaeltehkiennsudrsaoncffe, and the rate of stitornik,easn,”danimd pforrovimedpwroovriknegrtphreoeductieivnicty. andesqeubaelnitey otsf prunbltioc sbeortvhiceems.ployers and
w• aolrlkbprleaackesdaet awthosrkis, i5n4clupdeirncgenlut nhcighher. ’’a risk for everyone. —em2p1lostyaeteess.”and the District of Columbia
• paid vacation, sick leave
W• poerknesirornigshts that unions have fought for —48 Labor and Employment Law Professors
a•nadndwmonucinhcmludoere:
• 8-hour work day, 40-hour workweek “Collective bargaining has proven bene ts for public employers. ... [It] is linked to a host of
• weekends off
• all breaks at work, including lunch —etriemoA4lnap8At,leoaLdaRynbewdOeoosirm.”rNakpnprdHloaEvcAmeedLpbLwleonoyermkteesrn, tpinLrSMscaohulwduaopudPkctririentoanigvmftegirtsteeyshs.doCuuerscroeemesudetriebdhtmesadnphtellooeeytuvecslelredautrunsryrestnoojoiensbvceoeetrt,hsthihsneaeicmssrnepaaatltoicstayeceedlemrtjssoopabsnttstdhabotiyistshfwcaeoce-uAanlmtthreyyrs’ispcfaeuncSL&tiEuCaDUlrGHreienNA.Oat…eLImLOreATasNhRtnseSdSiUna.tSfha.eir
• paid vacation, sick leave
• pensions THIRD-GRADE TEACHER Friedrichs case to make it even harder for working people to come together,
• and much more
United Educators of Mspaekaiknugpsfuorreotnheaat neovtehreyro, annedhgaestaachceeasds.tIot itshaebAamsicerciocnacneDprteoafmfaiarnnedssatfhaairt
San Francisco
’’sehveont aatththired-mgridaddeler ccalansusnisdeersssteanndti.al to this country’s future. … The U.S.
AARON HALL
Supreme Court should reject this attempt by wealthy special interests in the
THIRD-GRADE TEACHER Friedrichs case to make it even harder for working people to come together,

WHO ARE DEFENDING OU’R’RIGHTS?UnitedEducatorsof
San Francisco
WHO IS BEHIND THIS? speak up for one another, and get ahead. It is a basic concept of fairness that
even a third-grader can understand.
Money and Power
People and Passion
This case is backed by corporate special interests who want to reduce wages for
working people to fund tax cuts for the wealthy and large corporations. Weakening

$ WHO IS BEHIND THIS? WHO ARE DEFENDING OUR RIGHTS?unions enables those with purely profit-driven motivations to get their hands on the
billions of dollars that are invested annually in public education. Who are the monied
Money and Power People and Passioninterests against Fair Share?
$governments.” CIR CTA, NEA and other unions represent teachers, nurses, firefighters and other LACY BARNES
public service workers who are passionate about what we do. We join together
funders include: to make our voices heard on issues that affect all of us: quality education for our COMMUNITY COLLEGE
The Center for IndividuaTlhRisigcahstes (iCs bIRa)ciskeadWbayshciongrptoonra-bteassepdecpiuabl ilnicteinretesrtesswt lhaowwfiramntwtohoresedumciesswioangise“stfhoer students; safe and healthy schools, hospitals and other community environ- INSTRUCTOR
defense of individual libertwieosrakginaginpstetohpelienctorefausnindgtlayxacgugtrsefsosirvtehaenwdeuanltchhyeacnkeddlaarugtehocroitrypoofrfaetdioenras.l aWnedaskteatneing ments; fair pay; and retirement with dignity.
has souugnhiot ntos beannabalffiersmthaotivsee awcittihonpulergeilsylaptrioonfi,t-idnrcilvuedninmgoCtiavlaifotiornnias’stoPrgoeptothsietiior nha2n0d9s. Iotsn the California Federation
billions of dollars that are invested annually in public education. Who are the monied CTAU,TNLEAA and other unions represent teachers, nurses, firefighters and other of Teachers
public service wTohrkeerrisghwths oofawreoprkainssgiopneaotpeleabhoavuet wcohmatewuenddeor.aWttaecjkominatnoygteimtheesr
• Charles and David KinotcehreostfsKaogcahinIsntdFuaisrtSriheasr.eT?he brothers, whose personal wealth is estimated to to make our voicbeesfohreea,radt othneisbsaulleost tbhoaxt aaffnedcint atlhleofcuosu:rtqsu. Walietyheadveucparteiovanilfeodr our LACY BARNES
J EUQS TUIACLETdgfuhoenei2pbfvndee0eoCcenTr1lr$rsneihe2tsemi4naecitn2ostahebeecf.len3rlrcieouytnasfbdddts.ouh”ipueilsrvelCc:eeiiorIdanssnInRt.utadioTaemhriehlnavaileclsiaiflbduiyhssoens,ouhnordhuaatsciiavgleniivenaRhsgettiaaa,egstnngadouhnnaupwbtodinnspuaissato(nnhutCnrcctaottIheeRchffiteded)heriseimstAnnshrfaucamueirnmtWlyeieivataerieiantiasrtcsotiteanhaeicuvmnginnetsildpLgoyu(etdnttlaogtotergolnaiefssge--dgplcbaraeeioettasiefsnnlvseasdedesaitev)ditoE$etrCovxpn9acaa,u0dnhtlibi0inedavfolcnenimucrlygunpniiedwlnicolaitihoCol’nesietnrgroiPkeccuoerCaksonnretlaspccldtlatii.halfhwa,on3eeuwrd0fi2ntrih,hridi0mgatiocha1’hsrh6tewitetPyhtetshroaaolooaexscpnfsciopefodnteinuisomdtctisintraaehiiissoutbreis.avnsuidleoet2aesnftno0;otidri9osn.s“Itttahstee students; safe anbdehcaeuasltehwy eschhaovoelsc,ohmoesptoitgaelsthaenrd, sotothoedrsctoromnmg aunndityspeonkveirnonw-ith a
U N D E R•prCivhaatirzlaetisoannodf pDuabvliicdeKdoucchatoiofnKaoncdheIlnimdiunsatirniegss.cThhoeobl eromthpelorsy,ewehuonsioenpse, rasnodnaml owdeeallethdilseegsistilmataiotendtoto ments; fair pay; apnodwreertfiurel,muneinfitewd ivthoidceig. nity. COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ELQAUWA L2p0riv1a2tethveoyuscpheenrtpmroillgioranms sin. an unsuccessful attempt to defeat California’s Prop. 30, the tax initiative to INSTRUCTOR
ebleim$i4n2at.e3 tbeiallciohnereraigch,tshianvtehseucplapsosrrtoeodmn,ucmeertriofyunsounlt-rcar-ecdoennsetiravleatdiviendpiovilditiucaallscaasntdeiadcahtesrsa, nadndcapursoems;oitne We are fighting back again. With 325,000 members, CTA is one
Tohfethrieghstsroonf wgeosrktiangndpemoopslet shuavcececsosmfueluanddveorcaatttaecskfmorany times CTalhifoisrnciaaFseedmeraetaionns a lot to
sbteufodreen, atst tahnedbealdloutcbaotxorasndininththeeccoouunrtsr.yW. NeEhAa,vaetp3remvialliloend meoaf Tsebacohtehrsan educator
bmeecmaubseerswtheehnavaetiocno'ms leartgoegsettpheror,festsosoiodnastlreomngplaonydeespoorgkeaniwzaitihoan,
pisocwoemrmfuilt,tuendifitoedadvovaicnec.ing the cause of public education. and a union member,

Weitharyeofiugahntdinogubrapcakrtangearisn,.wWeitahre3a25p,o0t0e0ntmfoermcebteorsd,eCfeTnAdisoourne because I want working
JUSTICE
ippe•fpFDN2nulo0roreKicaniimTvvu1lmrodtiheaa2tiniciionottaenchiedaaszncagbn-etaarlvlaeatirntcotnieolic-ieaotukudoRteyutehnc,nwunaisdehgiioccen.oorehhafgsGscnrrt.eptklraiurplooTruetorfidreohnurbgluoieeepgalifpWgisduysDchsslrnsatahkaoeotosdtmnmahidrncoiivokannusiionecatw.gctLrturheaa,eneessenntadTcgitbnaonroecawucordnilivalhtseuieaeastDatfnhdsnns,veecrdoeDtioiienfhntteomhoedhefMnmelaneiatAmvrshrodi,ocmedeiicernhnriyseeFriiaogtegrriuCitnftiraciaciannatttftnaehynigdpvfn.neutne,sisdntLoFac(taeddronnhtilgoiee-donCcFidfssgoerutIeplrhRlaainfdceee,rttoihdeenmavMsdmcnd,eppc)ataE$ilKtonalocoax9oldrkcyeid0ndcehidtitn0hheneaiffiaengnnemusycgdnC.ntioetwliCTillvioiathotCeioindheuennroseuskdy,tuoeaoCeeianlnnrrsnrseccR,atdatnilh.lrahus,teemLedemwtaelr2eoirhnaamfi0dgotjikchoc1ehrebhh6erlMtdeeefhCteordotesCalorae,dcslchtecateioophaagtninbuerodiaIstinsennbtrlphaihasdsbrtert.iobionuiodttldtmhneuefeottottherorotsee,’ UNDER roigf hthtseasntdropnrogteesct athnedfumtuorestosfuocucrefasmsfiuliel as danvdocaotmems fuonrities. Tpheiospclaeseevmereywanhseraelotot to
•fDFN2•pt•fuoivo0reKLJanuoeou1ymodtn-2hiannbcdioontnduhdaatncgans-teaMrlaiciatinontniklac-i.eenkuoRnyotOsse,nwnidsndgiiilnn.oolilHhengGacnrtgtbklhrauFrloaeetoofirdooulrglruUeeaupyiipWdsdnnnsDBslviadWkatoortotenmhaiarncodiokasdtiaoncctiwScloLruoreetyneesnasnynTcgot.tsbaeroeFriNacunrsgioivhlt,.seoaeeuDaitfwntds,vneeiseDzidiciunfntaelmhpoaotfMnieapntosaivrseoodionoceddrsernhrti.s,Fsri.ogegiuCptOfrcaanparttnnihndrvpf.eoeuta,sivnttoFaitiadzrdofniliitednenhCFdgdgeutIrhRiefnflcue,radohdnarMugsmdc,cepcaianaKsonlctagtodrikiodanctitnnoitnhhnidffaaegdesnmcenC.tdovtCTolieatwhtseilheuteonaesidypsntoCeeiflinanrurencRs,aenltt.raurinte-uLedetmmialrneainamfvleotjkiuhonrrebloerttMdaernfaColmteC-ioracndcehotteitnohaanhtberseaaIienenlbtl,rheasdvrtgiobaniitttldshieuvlaetteh-erse,’ students and educators in the country. NEA, at 3 million mhaeveasthbeostahmaenoepdpuocratutonrity
•f•coivLFui.yncMndad.antKedioiarpnbnusydbinlFHictohaauerffnrUaydinrBasi,ttreaiaodndndSl.etoaIyttthedFesios,rpuiatenrserdusaepassp.tigoorrnatsn. ptOsrniivneaatoirzefitanhsgeoelfaderugdceuascttaioatinnodann,mdhoewsataltisnhflianunsetdrnutmmiaeleduniltctarianl -iecn,otnhseelrevgaitsivlae- L AW members the nation's largest professional employee organization, Ia’vnedeanujonyieodntmo eimmpbroevr,e
t•ivSeaartatahcSkcoanifleabFooruinndWaitsicoonn.sIitnh. as given millions to anti-worker, conservative think tanks and funded is committed to advancing the cause of public education. btheeciar ucsoemImwuannittiwesotrhkirnogugh
s•eJvoehranl Mini.tiOatlivinesFionuCnadliafotrinoina.toNoelwimcilnoasteedw, oitrpkerorvriigdhetds.funding to develop anti-environmental, pfuelfiolplinlege,vreewryawrdhienrge tpoublic
•prCoa-bruthsiangeessFleoguanldadatvioocna.cIyt goirvgeasntiozactioonnsse.rvative organizations such as the Federation for With you and our partners, we are a potent force to defend our
S•cAiomvFui.ceMthrai.ecnKradnnirpPIbmuoybvmelFicirogtyauraffLntaaidoiwrasn,CtRaieoennfndot.eroImrt.thd, ewisrphaeircerhsaesws.agsradnetssiginnaarteeadsaonf aendtui-cimatmioing,rahnetahltahteangdromuepdbicyinthee, rights and protect the future of our families and communities. ’’shearvveictehejosbasm. e opportunity
•• SCahrraishtSiacnaiEfeduFcoautnodrsaAtiossno.cItiahtaisognivInentemrnillaiotinosntaola(nFrtiie-wdoricrkhesr,pclaoinnstieffr)vpartoivveidtheisnskutpanpkosrtafnodr ifnuintidaetidves
stheavteuranldineirtmiatiniveesLGinBCTarilgifohrtnsiiantsocehloimolisnaatnedweoffrokretsr rtiogmhtas.ke schools safe for students and educators. I’ve enjoyed to improve
their communities through
• Carthage Foundation. It gives to conservative organizations such as the Federation for fulfilling, rewarding public
American Immigration Reform, which was designated an anti-immigrant hate group by the
Southern Poverty Law Center. TMEAACTHTEERRS ’’service jobs. RWIOGRKHETRSS’
RWIOGRKHSESTRTESUS’DREVNTES
CTA and NEA are part of the TMEAACTHTEERRS YESTO FAIR SHARE
broad-based “America Works YESTO FAIR SHARE
ENOUGH
Together” coalition which is
raising public awareness and

providing updated and
accurate information about

Friedrichs and Fair Share.
UTLCAT’As afnfidliaNtEeAs are part of the
broad-based “America Works

Together” coalition which is
raising public awareness and

providing updated and
accurate information about
• Christian Educators Association International (Friedrichs plaintiff) provides support for initiatives Friedrichs and Fair Share. ENOUGH SSTEUDREVNTES
that uSnedeercmtain.oerLgG/BfTrireigdhritcshinssfcohrothoelslaantedsteiffnofortrsmtoatmioankeabscohuotothlsesFarfeiefdorricshtusdents aFnodr aenduinctaetorarcs.tive PDF of this report, as
Find out more at americaworkstogether.us

case, including key points, summaries of CTA and others’ respondents well as a printable poster of these and @AmWorksTogether. Keep up with the

briefs, summaries of amicus briefs and media coverage. pages, see cta.org/friedrichs. conversation at #WorkTogether.

See cta.org/friedrichs for the latest information about the Friedrichs For an interactive PDF of this report, as Find out more at americaworkstogether.us
case, including key points, summaries of CTA and others’ respondents well as a printable poster of these and @AmWorksTogether. Keep up with the
briefs, summaries of amicus briefs and media coverage. pages, see cta.org/friedrichs. conversation at #WorkTogether.

United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net January 29, 2016

From the elementary VP

Building a stronger UTLA

Only through our union do we have the collective power to take action and win.

tant issues, such as prioritizing student There are so many issues at stake for issue, but it is important that we connect
needs in school budgets, improving our profession and public education. Some widely and consistently with each other.
teacher evaluations, taking on overtesting, are in the court system, like the anti-union Only through our union do we have the
and fighting the Broad-Walmart scheme. Friedrichs v. CTA case, and others are at collective power to take action and win.
the legislative and ballot level, such as
Just the other day we had a room full the measure to extend much-needed Prop. This New Year will bring many chal-
to capacity with teachers planning for 30 funding. To keep making progress, we lenges and opportunities to UTLA; let’s
the February 17 Walk-In to Reclaim Our need to continue organizing with parents, get ready for all of this. I invite you to get
Schools, an exciting national event hap- students, the community, and each other, involved and participate as much as you
pening in more than 30 cities across the as UTLA members. During my school can. Remember, we are not just fighting
country. The chapter chair meeting that visits, I talk to members with a range of for a job; we are taking a stand to save
was held during winter break also had a opinions on the challenges we face and public education. Be proud to be a member
strong turnout, even though it was sched- the best strategies to take them on. Union of UTLA—a union on the move. Just like
uled during vacation time. members will not always agree on every one of our chants says, “Teachers united
will never be divided.”
UTLA members were also on hand
By Juan Ramirez January 12, when the LAUSD Board of NLAEBGOROMTIOAVTEIOMENNST
UTLA Elementary Vice President Education took a unanimous stand against
the privatizers here in Los Angeles by BARGAINING
While visiting schools and speaking passing the “Excellent Public Educa-
with educators, I have encountered many tion for Every Student” motion. This is 24th Annual Collective
people who have seen that UTLA has a very important win for the children Bargaining Institutes for
become a stronger union. It is inspiring to of Los Angeles, and it puts LAUSD on LAUSD High School Students
hear our members talk about our union as record as opposing market-driven reform
an effective force to fight to protect public schemes and as supporting investment in
education and support the Schools L.A. neighborhood schools. The passage of the
Students Deserve. motion—which was supported by a broad
coalition of educators, students, commu-
That union strength has not been built nity groups, labor unions, and elected of-
in the UTLA building—it’s been built in ficials—showed the privatizers that the
our school sites and in our communities people of Los Angeles are ready to fight
through member-driven work on impor- back for what is right and will not let big
business take over our schools.

Be one of the lucky teachers to bring UTLA’s award-
winning Collective Bargaining Education Project to your
school site this school year!

At our Collective Bargaining Institute, your students will spend
several exciting hours learning about the labor movement by
participating in a hands-on simulation of contract negotiations,
aligned to content and Common Core standards.

The Collective Bargaining Institute engages ALL students. They
will be grouped into small (4 students) union and management
teams, and each student will be responsible for a different
bargaining issue. And it gets better! All teams will be mentored
by labor relations professionals who volunteer to “coach”!

There is no cost to your school. Our UTLA Collective Bargaining
Education Project is co-sponsored by the L.A. County Federation
of Labor AFL-CIO and the Labor and Employment Relations
Association, with support from LAUSD.

Deadline: ASAP. Scheduling a CBI day requires three weeks in
advance to recruit the team “coaches” from the L.A.-area labor
movement. Also in advance, students need to be released from
classes for the CBI (with a “trip” slip), to a large space with tables
for 3 to 4 hours.

Contact Linda Tubach, Collective Bargaining
Education Project teacher, ASAP at (626) 233-2284

or email [email protected].

16

United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net January 29, 2016

Milestones years in the Oakland public schools begin- eracy-based curriculum model, rooted in Donal George McCann
ning in 1957. While teaching he earned two the belief that teachers are the best teachers 1943-2016
Passings master’s degrees and a Ph.D in rhetoric and of teachers.
composition and writing studies at UCB. Donal George McCann of Eagle Rock
Miles Myers introducing George McGovern In 1990 Miles left CFT to take a posi- passed away January 3, 2016. The retired
at the CFT Convention in 1972. Simultaneously with his teaching and tion as the executive director of the Na- LAUSD educator was a bilingual teacher
advanced studies, Miles became active in tional Council of Teachers of English at and coordinator for more than 30 years.
Teacher, union activist, author, and the Oakland Federation of Teachers, AFT the University of Illinois, Champaign-
former California Federation of Teachers Local 771, and the statewide CFT. Soon Urbana, for seven years. Starting in 1991, Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
President Miles Myers died December 15, after Raoul Teilhet was elected president Miles played an indispensable role as the McCann was an honors graduate from
2015, from complications related to heart of the CFT in 1967, Miles was appointed senior researcher at the UTLA Institute for Notre Dame High School and an alum
disease. Over six decades, Miles devoted editor of California Teacher, a position he Standards, Curriculum, and Assessments, from Georgetown University, where he
his career to improving educational stan- held from 1970 until 1985. Miles was where he supported teams of teachers in received a full scholarship for his entire
dards and the conditions for teaching and elected CFT president in 1985, succeed- developing standards-based curriculum four years. He studied in Mexico and
learning in public education. ing Teilhet, and served until 1990. In these and assessments by leading masterful Central and South America and served in
years he advocated for education not only seminars on teaching composition, rubric the Peace Corp in the 1960s, doing work
Miles was born in 1931 in Newton, through the mechanisms of unionism, but development, scoring protocols, and more. in Colombia, South America.
Kansas. His family moved to Southern as a writer, thinker, and organizer for new He showed us that when teachers work
California, and he graduated from Pomona ways of understanding literacy and for the together to create lessons and report McCann is survived by three grown
High in 1949. While serving in the U.S. classroom authority of teachers. what they learned from their students’ children, journalist Suraya Fadel,
Army in Germany during the Korean responses, teaching becomes a true pro- Matthew McCann, and writer Eileen
War, he traveled throughout Europe and Miles told us that the way to accomplish fession because its members constantly McCann (Zoe Ruiz). A celebration of life
beyond. After earning a bachelor’s degree this was for teachers to become researchers collaborate to hone their knowledge and was held at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills.
at the University of California, Berkeley, into their own classrooms. Their research teaching skills.
Miles taught high school English for 17 would provide the evidence for changes The family has set up an online
that needed to be made to achieve more ef- Miles was always quick to support UTLA obituary with Forest Lawn and memo-
fective teaching and learning. He advanced on other vital issues. During the District’s rial funds with charities close to his
these ideas through books on writing and Public School Choice period, he volun- heart: Georgetown University (https://
literacy, including The Teacher Researcher: teered to serve as one of UTLA’s appoint- college.georgetown.edu/giving; specify
How to Study Writing in the Classroom ed members to the District Public School in memory of Donal George McCann,
(1985) and Changing Our Minds: Negotiat- Choice Superintendent’s Committee. He Alumni Class of 1966, select the History
ing English and Literacy (1996). reviewed school plans always from the Dept., Music, Education, Public Policy
point of view: How will this plan improve or International Relations), the Mary
Like Raoul Teilhet, Myers also saw conditions for teaching and learning? McCann Bradicich Scholarship Fund
unionism as a vehicle for broader social Because of his reputation as an expert on (c/o Kathleen McCann Tressler, Trea-
justice goals. During his presidency CFT curriculum and assessments, his presence surer, 146 Bibbins Road, Easton, CT
opposed United States intervention in at those meetings affirmed UTLA’s perspec- 06612; specify in memory of Donal G.
Central America on behalf of right-wing tive in matters of teaching and learning. McCann), Notre Dame High School
regimes facing people’s insurgencies, and ( w w w. n o t r e d a m e . e j o i n m e . o r g /
supported the struggle against apartheid Miles received the CFT’s highest honor, Mypages/DonationPage; specify in
in South Africa. the Ben Rust Award, in 1994. Miles is sur- memory of Donal George McCann),
vived by his wife of 59 years, Celeste; his Peace Corps (peacecorps.gov/colom-
In 1974, Miles co-founded the Bay Area three children, Royce, Brant and Roz; three biafund or www.peacecorps.gov/edu-
Writing Project (BAWP) at UC Berkeley, sisters, Jean McClard, Joan Hope (Cecil) and cationfund), the Windsor Club (123 W.
which became the basis for a national lit- Patty Gatlin (Dennis); six grandchildren; Windsor Road, Glendale, CA 91204;
and one great-grandchild. He is preceded in specify in memory of Donal George
We’re with you death by his sister, Roxye Jelden. He was 84. McCann).
all the way
The thing Miles loved most was brows-
ing for books at a bookstore or the library.
According to his wife, he purchased tens
of thousands of books, and kept every
single one. The family asks you to honor
Miles by buying a book, reading it, and
then donating it to a library.

Supporting communities with union To submit an item: Send details to
expertise and long-term alliances. Milestones, UNITED TEACHER, 3303
Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor, Los Angeles,
At UnitedHealthcare, we’re dedicated to those CA 90010 or [email protected]. Ma-
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United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net January 29, 2016

WHO awards: A chance to honor
someone you know

Nominations due February 12.

Ever wonder how you can recognize UTLA/NEA members who have given
a colleague or chapter chair who has outstanding service in support of UTLA/
shown true leadership by going above and NEA and its members at the state or na-
beyond the call of duty to help members tional levels of UTLA, CTA, and NEA.
at your site? Or maybe a member who is
involved in the Area steering committee • The UTLA/NEA Community Gold
or House of Representatives and has dedi- Award may be awarded to any person or
cated time to speak to our members, help organization whose leadership, actions,
where needed, and walk that mile or two and support have demonstrated that the
for the good of all our members? Or what person or organization is a true friend of
about that colleague who has spoken about public education, educators, or students
professional matters at the state or national and merits UTLA/NEA recognition of
level to make sure our voices are heard? their accomplishments.

Here is your chance to recognize them The WHO Awards Committee looks
by nominating them for the We Honor forward to honoring special members who
Ours (“WHO”) awards, which are given you know are doing what it takes to make
annually in these categories: us stronger, keep us united, and stand for
the good of all.
• The WHO Local Award is for active
UTLA/NEA members who have given Deadline for nominations is Friday, Feb-
outstanding service in support of UTLA/ ruary 12. Nomination forms and more info
NEA and its members. are at utla.net/WHOawards. Recipients
will be honored at a dinner on April 25.
• The WHO State Award is for active

UTLA meeting board

THROUGH THE ENTIRE 2015-16 SCHOOL YEAR, Upcoming meetings Substitutes, Violence Prevention &
GET $20 OFF PER COURSE...UNLIMITED! School Safety, Women’s Education.
FEBRUARY 3
SessIONS BEGIN JANUARY 15, 2016 Elementary Committee: 4 p.m., UTLA MARCH 2
building. UTLA Area Meetings: See times
*Registration deadline is January 8, 2016 / Discount does not apply to VPSS courses and locations at utla.net.
Secondary Committee: 4 p.m., UTLA
USE PROMO CODE LOVE2LEARN building. Early Childhood Education Commit-
tee: 7 p.m., UTLA building.
Quality, research based content in the areas of California Content Standards, African-American Education Commit-
ELA & Mathematics, and Student Mental Wellness created and tailored tee: 4 p.m., UTLA building. APRIL 4
for today’s K-12 instructors. Selected courses are UTLA/LAUSD UTLA/NEA Service Center Council
approved by the Salary Point Committee Capably Disabled Teachers Commit- meeting: UTLA building.
tee: 4 p.m., UTLA building.
REGISTER NOW@ teachstar.lacoe.edu APRIL 21
PACE Committee: 6:30 p.m., UTLA UTLA/AFT 1021 General Member-
building. ship Meeting: UTLA building.

FEBRUARY 16 Adult and Occupational Education:
Unjustly Housed Teachers Committee: Check time and updated meeting
UTLA building, 4 p.m. info at www.aeutla.net.

FEBRUARY 17 The National Board Certified Teach-
The following committees meet on the ers Standing Committee: For meeting
same day as the House of Representatives dates please check calendar at www.
from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. (unless noted) in utla.net.
the UTLA building: Arts Education Com-
mittee, Asian-Pacific Education, Bilingual Upcoming conferences
Education Committee, Chicano/Latino
Education, Gay & Lesbian Issues, Health FEBRUARY 6
& Human Services, Human Rights, Inner African-American Education Com-
City, Instructional Coaches, Kindergarten mittee Conference: “Celebrating Our
Teachers, Library Professionals (4:45-6 Blackness: Culture, Curriculum and
p.m.), Middle Schools, Multi-Track/Year- Community.” See flyer in this issue.
Round Schools, Non-Classroom/Non-
School Site, Options Committee, Physical FEBRUARY 20
Education Action and Dance, Professional Pre-Retirement Issues Workshop:
Rights & Responsibilities, Pre-Retirement See flyer in this issue.
Issues, Salary & Finance, School/Com-
munity Relations, School Readiness Lan- MARCH/APRIL/MAY
guage Development Program, Secondary Asian Pacific Committee Pilgrimage
School Counselors, Special Education, to Manzanar: See flyer in this issue.

Powered by

Online Professional Development Courses brought to you by the Teachstar Online Academy,
powered by the Center for Distance & Online Learning at the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

18

United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net January 29, 2016

Honoring top-notch teaching It’s time again to honor our own with UTLA’s
17th Annual
Nominations for UTLA Platinum Apple
awards are due April 1. Platinum Apple
Awards
You know who they are: Those UTLA UTLA is also seeking nominations for a
members at your school who perform special award that will recognize school for Excellence in Education
at an exceptional level, day in and day sites for innovative school-wide reform
out. Let this be the year that your school plans. Each UTLA chapter may submit a nomination for this great award,
nominates one of these deserving educa- given by our own, for our own, for excellence in education. Your school
tors for a UTLA Platinum Apple Award. Your chapter chair should hold a should hold a nomination meeting to select your nominee; all members
At a time when too many outsiders are meeting to select your nominee; all are encouraged to participate. Winners will be honored at Taix French
trying to define what good teaching members are encouraged to participate.
is, the Platinum Apple Awards are our If your school hasn’t had a nominating Restaurant in Los Angeles on Friday, May 20, 2016.
chance to show what excellence in our meeting yet, ask your chapter chair when
profession looks like. your meeting will be. Packets will be Please note: Nominees must be current UTLA members
mailed to chapter chairs with the nomina-
UTLA members at every site are en- tion forms and judging criteria in January Nominations are due in the UTLA office no later
couraged to nominate an individual from (info is also available at utla.net). The than Friday, April 1, 2016, at 5 p.m.
your school for a Platinum Apple Award. deadline to submit nominees is Friday,
Nominees can be classroom teachers, sub- April 1, and winners will be honored at Nomination forms and additional information is available
stitutes, or health and human services a special dinner on May 20. on the UTLA website at www.utla.net/platappleawards
professionals, such as nurses, counselors,
and librarians, and they can work in any For more information: Nomination forms __________________________________
discipline and at any LAUSD site, from and additional information are available at
early education centers to K-12 schools www.utla.net/platappleawards or contact For more information or questions, contact Princess Sykes at
to adult education campuses. This year, Princess Sykes at (213) 368-6220. (213) 368-6220 or [email protected]

Moving? Changing addresses?

Keep UTLA updated by sending your new information
to the Membership Department by email to

[email protected] or by fax to (213) 368-6231.

As an Active Employee of LAUSD and a Member of UTLA, you have the opportunity to enroll in the Group Long

Term Care program. Current UTLA Employees/Members, Spouses, Retirees and Family Members are also eligible for

these group rates; however, ALL must complete a health application and are subject to Medical Underwriting.

OR

New members of UTLA and within 30 days* of being hired as a NEW EMPLOYEE of LAUSD, you have the

opportunity to enroll in this plan on a Guaranteed Issue basis (immediate acceptance with No Health Questions
asked).

To receive your free, no obligation UTLA Approved Group Long Term Care

Informational Packet with Rates or, if you have questions, please call:

Web Site: www.siltc.com/utla 1-(800) 764-6585 * Limited Time Only, please respond.
Email: [email protected] CA License #0795155
Fax: (530) 887-0109

19

United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net January 29, 2016

Involvement opportunity CTA State Council Election
Notice for 2017-19 Term
CTA State Council Elections
Are you interested in representing UTLA/NEA members at the state level? CTA
By Debby Schneider & Laura Carls tatives are covered by CTA, including (California Teachers Association) State Council, a policy-making body that meets
UTLA/NEA Election Committee hotel, mileage, and food costs. Meetings quarterly, has openings for representatives to fill expired terms. If you wish to
begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, 7:15 a.m. Sunday, run for one of these positions, complete and return the self-nomination form by
UTLA/NEA members will elect CTA and usually end around 4 p.m. both days. U.S. mail to UTLA/NEA VP Cecily Myart-Cruz at UTLA. The form must be received
State Council representatives in annual Subcommittee meetings on Friday evenings by 5:00 p.m. on March 14, 2016. The election will be held at the April 13, 2016
elections scheduled this year for the and voluntary caucus meetings before and Area meetings. For those members who cannot vote at their Area meetings, voting
April 13 Area meetings. These delegates after the general weekend meeting times will also be held at the UTLA building from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 13, 2016.
will join the other UTLA representatives can enrich the representative’s knowledge
when the council begins for the 2016-17 of issues facing California educators. UTLA Self-Nomination Form
school year. dele­ gates are rewarded for their time and
effort by getting a chance to make a state- Name
The State Council acts as CTA’s policy- wide difference in education.
making body, meeting four times a year. Employee number
Each representative is expected to serve on If you find the idea of participating
a standing com­mittee, which debates busi- on a statewide level intriguing, fill out Address
ness items involving academic freedom, and mail in the self-nomination form on
retirem­ ent, civil rights, political action, this page to run for CTA State Council. City Zip
teachers’ rights, and statewide nego­tiation Forms are due by March 14 via U.S. mail
issues. State Council represent­atives also (no faxes or emails). Forms may also be Home phone
vote for CTA’s statewide officers. In the dropped off at UTLA headquar­ters on the
2016-17 school year, all State Council meet- 10th floor (attention: Cecily Myart-Cruz, Non-LAUSD email address
ings will be held in Los Angeles. UTLA/NEA VP) during regular business
hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. School
All necessary expenses for represen­

School Phone

CTA State Council I certify that below is the signature of the candidate whose name appears above.
Year-Round Absentee Ballot Request
Signature Date
I am requesting an absentee ballot for the CTA State Council Election.
(Required)
My vote will correspond to CTA’s election guidelines, which allow for voting by mail for
CTA members on formal leave. This request must be received by 5:00 p.m., March Return this request to UTLA/NEA VP Cecily Myart-Cruz by 5:00 p.m., March 14,
14, 2016, by U.S. mail to UTLA, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 2016, via U.S. mail to UTLA, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA
90010, Attn: Cecily Myart-Cruz UTLA/NEA VP. I understand that my request will be 90010. Forms may also be dropped off at UTLA headquarters on the 10th floor
checked for accuracy by election committee members. Absentee ballots will be mailed during regular business hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (attention: Cecily Myart-Cruz).
March 23, 2016, and must be received via U.S. mail by 5:00 p.m., April 13, 2016. NO FAXES OR EMAILS.

Form must be received by UTLA by March 14, 2016.

Name CTA State Council
election timeline
Employee number

Address

City Zip January 29, February 26: Nomination April 25: Deadline to submit election
forms, timeline, absentee ballot request challenge in writing to Cecily Myart-
Home phone forms in UNITED TEACHER. Cruz, UTLA/NEA Vice President, pro-
March 14: Self-nomination forms and vided a runoff election is not required.
Non-LAUSD email address absentee ballot requests due to UTLA Please contact Vivian Vega for appropri-
building by 5 p.m. by U.S. mail (no ate form at (213) 368-6259.
School faxes or emails). Forms may also be April 26: Absentee ballot for runoff sent.
dropped off at UTLA headquarters May 18: Runoff election, if needed, at
School Phone (see the receptionist on the 10th floor) Area meetings and at UTLA headquar-
during regular business hours from 9 ters from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
UTLA area (Circle one) N S E W C VE VW H a.m. to 5 p.m. May 18: Deadline for absentee ballots
March 15: Letters sent out acknowl- to be received back by U.S. mail (no
Absentee ballot requested for: edging receipt of nomination forms. faxes or emails).
March 23: Absentee ballots sent out. May 20: Election Committee meets at
April 13 May 18 April 13: Elections at all UTLA Area 9 a.m. to count all ballots. Letters sent
meetings and at UTLA headquarters to winners and results will be posted
Check one: CTA/NEA Board member Formal LAUSD leave from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at www.utla.net by the end of the next
April 13: Absentee ballots due back to business day. Those who are not elected
I hereby declare that the above information is accurate. UTLA building by 5 p.m. by U.S. mail delegates will become alternates.
only (no faxes or emails). May 30: Final date for challenges to be
Signature Date April 15: Area and absentee ballots submitted in writing to Cecily Myart-
counted, 9 a.m. Letters sent to winners Cruz, UTLA/NEA Vice President, pro-
Return this request to UTLA/NEA VP Cecily Myart-Cruz by 5:00 p.m., March 14, and results will be posted at www.utla. vided additional runoff election is not
2016, via U.S. mail to UTLA, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA net by the end of the next business day. required. Please contact Vivian Vega
90010. Forms may also be dropped off at UTLA headquarters on the 10th floor for appropriate form at (213) 368-6259.
(attention: Cecily Myart-Cruz, UTLA/NEA VP) during regular business hours from
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. NO FAXES OR EMAILS.
Form must be received by UTLA by March 14, 2016.

20

United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net January 29, 2016

CTA State Council delegates UTLA African-American Education Committee
with terms expiring in 2016
Presents the
Robin Branch-Scott Arlene Inouye
Ayde Bravo Maria Miranda Forty-Third Annual Community Conference
Tomas Flores Cecily Myart-Cruz
Ingrid Gunnell Donald Willis “Celebrating Our Blackness: Culture,
Curriculum and Community”
2015 union dues for tax deductions
Saturday, February 6, 2016
The following are deductions for union dues that you might be qualified to make 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM
on your 2015 federal income tax return. These figures are meant as a guideline and
may not reflect the actual deductions that were taken (for example, if you did not UTLA Building
work the full year or you switched job classifications, these numbers may not reflect 3303 Wilshire Blvd. Room 815
your deductions). Always consult your tax adviser before taking any of these deductions.
Los Angeles, CA 90010
$717.00 Full-time UTLA member and agency fee
$361.02 Part-time substitute member and agency fee “School to Prison Pipeline Issues”
$614.04 Children’s center member and agency fee Dr. Niaz Kasravi
$495.30 Full-time fair share
$249.36 Part-time substitute fair share Presenters, Panel Discussion, Entertainment, Food & White
$424.08 Children’s center fair share Elephant Sale
$1,522.68 Dual full-time UTLA member
$171.00 Associate member Continental Breakfast and Lunch

NOTE: Figures above do not reflect retroactive dues deducted for the Donation $25.00
retroactive salary increase in 2015. For a full-time member who worked the For more information contact: UTLA Conference Secretary:
full year, the one-time amount collected in retro dues was $34.50. Those dues
may also be tax-deductible. For the most accurate reflection of your deduc- Debbie Reid at UTLA (213) 368-6232
tions, check your end-of-the-calendar-year paystub, which will show under
year-to-date the total of dues taken in one box and retroactive dues taken in
another box. The combined total, with some exclusions, should reflect your
tax-deductible amount. 

Life-Long Learning

for Educators

UCLA Extension’s Education Department offers online
courses for teachers and administrators looking to
advance their qualifications, performance and salary.

Learn more about the many credential and certificate
programs we offer by visiting us at
uclaextension.edu/teachers or call (310) 825-4191.

UCLA Extension Education Programs
Get there from here.

17140.indd 1 17140-15

218/27/15 9:49 AM

United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net January 29, 2016

GRAPEVINE instrument. Participants will learn a ton Salary point class ESL, ELA, sheltered English, or foreign
of chords, to play melody and harmony, on the Arroyo Seco language at the secondary level. Flexibility,
(continued from page 27) about quarter-notes and syncopation, cross-cultural sensitivity, and a two-year
and a variety of strums and fingerpick- Since 2006, the professional develop- commitment required. Return rights to
Peak Performance Practices ing patterns. You’ll learn to use software ment workshop “The River Runs Through the District. For information, call Joan at
workshop for academics and sports  to make easy charts and tabs. The class It: Charles Lummis and the Culture of (323) 290-2175 (early evenings), send email
meets on three Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. the Arroyo Seco” has been taken by 200 to [email protected], or go to
Learn a wide variety of peak perfor- to 4 p.m. (February 20, February 27, and teachers, grades kindergarten through LANSCAteacher.googlepages.com.
mance practices to apply for teaching March 5). The class fee is $149, and you 12. Conducted by retired LAUSD teacher
your K-12 students. Class time will be get one salary point. Food available for Carmela Gomes, the place-based educa- SCHOOL Kids Yoga &
spent in learning and applying the skills purchase. Bartt provides lessons, chord/ tion workshop involves the participa- Mindfulness Teacher Training
learned in class. Participants will receive song charts, booklets, instruments (with tion of Wilderness Way Magazine, the
experience of a wide variety of Peak prior arrangements), video lessons, a Arroyo Seco Foundation, the Audubon Learn calming methods of yoga, medi-
Performance and Stress Management Facebook page to share ideas, and lots Center at Debs Park, the Tongva/Ga- tation, and mindfulness, designed specifi-
Practices and receive handouts with a of support. There will be time to make brielino and the Chumash/Fernandino cally for public school classrooms. Kelly
number of modalities for further practice lesson plans during class too. For more Tribes, the Lummis Home and Garden, Wood, experienced yoga teacher for chil-
and evolution into being “all you can be.” info, go to Bartt.net or email Bartt at Highland Park Heritage Trust, and dren and adults, has taught weekly in
One salary point is available. Cost: $150. [email protected]. You can also call or text Friends of the Los Angeles River. Par- LAUSD schools since 2002. Public school
The instructor is Kurt A. Krueger, Na- Bartt at (818) 568-3595. ticipants walk in the wilds of the Arroyo teachers learn methods to enhance lis-
tional Board Certified teacher, who has Seco River, through the communities tening, focus, and harmony within class-
taught social studies/physical education Free Abilities Expo on February 6 of Pasadena and Highland Park, and rooms. The course reaches all elementa-
at LAUSD middle/senior high schools through the neighborhood where the ry-aged children (modifications for older
and at colleges since 1969. There are five UTLA members are invited to join Arroyo Seco meets the Los Angeles River. students). No prior yoga experience re-
class sessions: Wednesdays, March 2, 9, the UTLA Capably Disabled Teachers They visit historic houses, are received quired. The next session is February 20,
16, 30 and April 6, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Committee Meeting on Saturday, Febru- by the owners and listen to their life 21, 27, and 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Van Nuys Middle School, 5435 ary 6, at the free Los Angeles Abilities stories. They meet artists, craftsmen, One salary point. Fee is $200. The work-
Vesper Ave., Sherman Oaks, CA. Please Expo at the L.A. Convention Center. and community organizers. They sit shop will take place at VIP (1721 Griffin
sign up on the Learning Zone: https:// Reimbursement may be available from with holders of Chumash and Tongva Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90031). Please email
lz.lausd.net (Course No: NA–22-49). the committee for parking and lunch traditions for hands-on workshops. To Kelly Wood for details: info@school-yoga.
(connect with committee co-chair Janis receive one salary point credit for the org or call (323) 240-8711. View details
Salary point class Lukstein in the eating area from 1 p.m. workshop, teachers are required to use on our website: www.school-yoga.org/
on ukulele: Level 2 to 2 p.m.; her cell is 310-283-8907). Be the information they acquire to create about-teacher-training.
sure to register ahead of time to view lessons for their classrooms that reflect
LAUSD Teacher of the Year and ukulele the directions, transportation, schedule, Charles Lummis’ view of the South- Happy New Year
virtuoso Bartt Warburton is holding a and layout for the booths: www.abili- west to support the Common Core. The From the
salary point class, “Ukulele: Level Two,” ties.com/losangeles/vregister.html. The workshop will take place two Saturdays,
at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Al- expo offers information and workshops February 20 and 27. Registration is $85 Law Office of
tadena. It’s an intermediate-level class on solutions for physical, sensory, and per participant and closes on February
designed for teachers, but the course is developmental disabilities; exhibitions 16, 2016. To register log on to www. Link W. Schrader
also open to the general public. If you on the latest products and services; and lummisday.org and follow the link to
have not taken Bartt’s Level One class, the chance to make connections with “The River Workshop,” complete the Former LAUSD Teacher
you’re still welcome to join the class, others in the community. information and use a credit card to Consumer and Small Business
provided that you have some basic expe- pay the registration fee, or send a check
rience on ukulele, guitar, or other similar made out to Lummis Day Community Bankruptcy
Foundation, Inc., and mail to Lummis Chapters 7, 13 and 11
UTLA Women’s Education Committee Day Community Foundation, P.O. Box Member NACBA and CDCBAA
50543, Los Angeles, CA 90050. Registra-
is proud to present tion limited to 20 participants. Contact (310) 413-6924
Carmela Gomes at gomescarmela16@ www.schrader-law.com
the 42nd Annual gmail.com or (818) 429-8755 for more
information. Free Initial Consultation By Telephone
“Woman of the Year
Award Dinner” Teach in Japan program
looking for educators
during
The Teach in Japan Program is looking
Women’s History Month for an experienced educator to teach at a
public high school in Japan from August
Sunday, March 6, 2016 2016 to July 2018. Sister City program
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. seeks an experienced teacher in ELD/

This Year Honoring ESTATE PLANNING

NEA Women’s Caucus Chair, Cecile Bendavid Want to avoid probate?
Don’t do it yourself. Let a fellow teacher be
Seating is limited Reservations & payment due: February 26, 2016 your lawyer. Sheila Bayne is a full time
teacher with LAUSD and has been an active
Taix Restaurant member of the California Bar for over 25 years.
Complete Estate Planning Package:
1911 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 484-1265 n Living Trust
n Living Will/Advance Health Care Directives
UTLA Women’s Education Committee Awards Dinner n Power of Attorney
n Trust Transfer Deeds
Name _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ n Pour-over Will and supporting documents
Address __________________________________________________________________________________________________ n Personal consultation
School ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Discount for UTLA Members:
Phone (hm)____________________________________________(sch) _______________________________________
$695
Amount Enclosed:____________
For more information call Elaine LeBoeuf (323) 240-7004 or Margaret Ruiz (213) 368-6219 or email [email protected]. (A-B trust for spouses: $ 995)
Cost: $35.00. Mail Reservation form and check payable to UTLA Women’s Education Committee, attention Margaret Ruiz, Also: n Bankruptcies n Evictions
UTLA, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010 Deadline: Friday, February 26, 2016.
CONTACT THE LAW OFFICES OF SHEILA BAYNE
22
at 310-435-8710
or e-mail: [email protected]

A debt relief agency

United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net January 29, 2016

Note from UTLA-R President Get
connected
By John Perez can be made to “Eyes in Conflict” and so they can lower their tax responsibilities
UTLA-Retired President sent to Bill Lambert at 4905 Topeka Dr., at the same time as they have $140 billion to UTLA
Tarzana, CA 91356. in untaxed profits parked offshore! Mean-
What’s up, Bill Lambert: Many people while one study found that 35 million pre- Facebook:
ask me what Bill Lambert, UTLA’s longtime Health care is a national concern: We scriptions went unfilled last year, mainly
lobbyist (now retired), is up to. Never one to know that the 2017 health benefits nego- because seniors could not afford the cost. facebook.com/UTLAnow
let moss grow on his shoes, Bill has a new tiations will be tough for us. The District According to Social Security Works (a great Twitter: @utlanow
project, and he needs your help to move this has already signaled that they want to website), 37% of Social Security checks
project forward. A relatively large number institute monthly premium payments for go to prescription medicines. One posi- YouTube:
of people who have reading difficulties actives and retirees and end the ability tive note: As a result of the Affordable
suffer from an eye problem that causes their of new employees to qualify for lifetime Care Act, 16 million more Americans have youtube.com/UTLAnow
eyes not to track properly together. Bill calls benefits. These upcoming negotiations health insurance than before President
this “eyes in conflict.” If you go to www. are set against the backdrop of employees Obama signed the law, and it has saved
eyesinconflict.com, you will be taken to nationwide paying a higher and higher $400 million in Medicare costs.
the Gemstone Foundation, which sponsors percentage of health care costs over the
Bill’s efforts to address this problem. past 20 years. For us as retirees, a major The wealth of the few versus the wealth
concern is the high cost of prescription of the many: The richest 20 Americans
Research has shown that 30% of stu- medicines. The U.S. has the highest cost for own more wealth than the bottom 50%
dents reading below grade level suffer prescriptions of any country in the world, of the population. That’s 20 individuals
from this eye-tracking problem. A simple and Canadians pay the second highest against 157 million people in 57 million
test can identify which students have this cost—but we pay 40% more per prescrip- households. The richest 400 own more
condition, and special glasses and reading tion than our northern neighbors. Why? wealth than the bottom 61% of Americans.
exercises can help remedy the problem for In Canada the government can negoti- The richest 100 own more wealth that all
many. More than 50% of students identified ate the cost of prescriptions, while here African-Americans, and the top 182 richest
and fitted with glasses experience reading in our country, thanks to a law passed Americans own more than all Hispanic
improvement. under President George Bush, Medicare Americans. For the first time since before
is prohibited from negotiating the cost of the Great Depression, fewer than 50% of
Bill has worked with retired UTLA prescription medicines. American families are in the middle class.
members to help test the students at a The disparity between the richest Ameri-
number of LAUSD schools, including Ann Big pharmaceutical companies are cans and the poorest is greater today than
Street, Plummer, and Gardner elementary making a killing off everyday Americans. even before the Great Depression, and the
schools. The test is relatively inexpensive, For example, the cost of a cardiac drug U.S. has the greatest wealth disparity than
but the glasses are a cost item. Bill needs went from $50 a vial to more than $2,700 any of the richest 30 countries in the world.
financial help to continue helping LAUSD just to boast profits. Pfizer wants to move
kids in need. A tax deductible contribution its corporate headquarters out of the U.S. Perez can be reached at [email protected].

Check out the Grapevine page: If you want to be added to the UTLA-
Workshops, exhibits, and more Retired email list, send your email ad-
dress to [email protected].

Salary Advancement Courses
for Educators

Convenient | Relevant K-12 Applications | Practical Curriculum

Contact us for the latest schedule at nine Los Angeles Locations.

West Lost Angeles | Carson Monterey Park
Karen Rose | [email protected] | 310-745-1099 Jim Burk | [email protected] | 1-800-664-6130

Downey | Downtown Los Angeles Santa Clarita | Burbank
Craig Yokoi | [email protected] | 310-874-4090 Scott Cody | [email protected] | 323-496-3318

Sherman Oaks Los Alamitos
Jennifer Krauss | [email protected] | 805-559-3060 Tim Brown | [email protected] | 310-292-1039

$329 FOR THREE SEMESTER UNITS OF GRADUATE EXTENSION CREDIT

Visit our website http://sandiego.edu/educatorsprograms

23

United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net January 29, 2016

United Teachers Practical matters: Working
Los Angeles after retirement

African American What to know about earnings limitations.
Education Committee
By Judith Bruner limit are deducted dollar per dollar. Also
Announces its UTLA Compensation and Benefits be aware that if a retiree returns to work
Specialist in a public school system in California
41st ANNUAL within 180 calendar days after retiring,
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Interested in working after you retire? any earnings from that work will reduce
In California’s public school system, it is the retiree’s pension benefit.
Scholarship Contest possible to do just that. Be aware, though,
that there is a restriction on the income Retirees may work outside of the Cali-
We encourage you to apply to our scholarship program. you can make if your postretirement work fornia public school system without any
UTLA/African American Education Committee/Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarships give is in a public school system in this state. income limitation—for instance, in private
schools, state colleges and universities, or
financial help to young people who desire to The earnings limit for 2015-16 is set at private industry. Retirees are prohibited
“Keep the Dream Alive” by continuing their education. $40,321 (and as of June 30, 2012, there are from working in a classified position in
no exemptions to this annual postretirement public schools.
See your teacher for an application and guidelines. earnings limit). That amount is adjusted
on July 1 of each year, and CalSTRS noti- Also, be aware that due to Assembly
Submit the Application Form and your Essay or Poem about the life fies both employers and retired members Bill 506, teachers’ retirement law now con-
and/or writings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. no later than of each year’s post-retirement earnings forms to federal law that prohibits benefit
5:00 pm, Tuesday, March 8, 2016 limit. Income from teaching summer school distributions before either the normal re-
Applications may be submitted by mail to: counts toward the limitation. The restriction tirement age or a separation from service.
United Teachers Los Angeles applies to any work performed in a public The normal CalSTRS retirement age is 60.
3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010-1794 school system in California. As a result, if you are under age 60 and
return to CalSTRS-covered employment
c/o Dr. Martin Luther King Scholarship Committee, Attn.: Debbie Reid Public school systems are required to immediately after retirement, your retire-
or they may be dropped off at the above address between 9 AM – 5 PM report post-retirement earnings. CalSTRS ment allowance will be reduced. This was
monitors these reports closely. A letter will explained in the CalSTRS semi-annual
Winners will be notified by Friday, April 8, 2016 be mailed to the retiree explaining that the Connections bulletin in Spring 2010.
Scholarships will be presented at the Awards Dinner income counts toward the limit. When
the retiree’s income gets half way to the For further information on earnings
on limitation, the retiree gets another letter to limitations, call CalSTRS at (800) 228-
Friday, April 22, 2016 let them know they are at the mid-point 5453 or go onto the CalSTRS website
of the limitation. Another letter is sent to at www.calstrs.com (enter the subject
at 5:30 pm the retiree if the limit is exceeded and it “Working After Retirement” in the search
scholarship awards dinner location states that excess earnings will be deducted field to bring up up a menu from which to
from their allowance. Earnings beyond the select information).
(TBA) to be announced
at a later date EDUCATORS…….
KNOW YOUR BENEFITS……..
If further information is needed, please call Debbie Reid, Scholarship Secretary
at UTLA 800/556-8852 ext. 232 (9-4) Are you new, in the middle or towards the end of your career in Education?

24 This conference is for you!!!!

Learn about………

 CALSTRS Benefits
 Social Security Windfall and Offset Acts
 LAUSD Health Benefits
 403b and 457 Retirement Benefits

Please bring your most recent CalSTRS Retirement Progress Report

UTLA

Pre-Retirement Issues Conference

Saturday, February 20, 2016
8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

(Registration starts at 7 a.m.)

United Teachers Los Angeles

(Auditorium)

3303 Wilshire Blvd., 2nd Floor, Los Angeles

Directions: 2 blocks west of Vermont at Berendo

*Free Parking Available*
*UTLA Parking Structure located off Berendo

Registration at the door- $5.00 per person Open to all UTLA Members

Conference is limited to the first 300 attendees

*Access for the disabled is available through the elevators in the UTLA basement

United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net January 29, 2016

Bilingual education issues

Multilingual education: teacher training.

On December 1, State Senator Tony tion in the hopes of acquiring funding and In the past, a cadre of bilingual parapro- Forum on Multilingual
Mendoza, chair of the Select Committee further support for this compelling method fessionals was in the pipeline getting good Education February 17
on Biliteracy and Dual Language Programs of learning. This approach has many ad- training to become bilingual teachers. That
in California, held a forum at Excelsior vantages which will equip our children to resource has been significantly reduced Join the Raza Education Commit-
High School in Norwalk titled “Biliteracy compete in an ever-more diverse environ- due to a drastic change in District funding tee and the Bilingual Education Com-
and Effective Learning Strategies in an ment in education, in the economy, and priorities in the past several years. LAUSD mittee for a Forum on Multilingual
Internationalized California.” in society.” needs to seriously address the language Education on Wednesday, February
and learning needs of all of its students. 17, at 4:30 p.m. at the UTLA build-
The title is particularly interesting in its The question of teachers trained to offer All students can be served through mul- ing. Room TBA. Speaker: Javier San
connectedness to Senator Ricardo Lara’s multilingual education always comes up. tilingual education. Roman, President of AMAE.
“Multilingualism for a Global Economy” The CDE says that there is a substantial
bill. Both senators are acutely aware of shortage of teachers in California, an issue —Cheryl Ortega
our responsibility to educate students laden with political implications. BCLAD- Director for Bilingual Education
in ways that will open up the world to authorized teachers particularly are at an
them through language. Senator Mendoza all-time low. Almost all institutions of [email protected]
shared this philosophy: “Language is higher learning in the state have either
learned best by all students when it is closed or greatly reduced their bilingual UTLA support for housed teachers
the medium of instruction rather that the teacher training programs. When the Lara
exclusive focus of instruction.” bill passes, there will be an immediate Many teachers continue to be the Vice President Colleen Schwab (213-
need for qualified teachers in numerous victims of former superintendent John 368-6237, [email protected]) or UTLA
Here’s more from Senator Mendoza: languages to provide multilingual instruc- Deasy’s “teacher jail” system. Caught Treasurer Arlene Inouye (213-368-6218,
“California continues to become more tion to students who choose it. off guard and often falsely accused, [email protected]).
multicultural and globalized both in its they languish and suffer alone, under
economy and its population. With the In LAUSD, we have two interesting facts house arrest and unsure of what to do. Unjustly Housed Teachers Commit-
influx of diverse peoples also comes a that can prove advantageous. One is that tee: UTLA provides support, guidance,
plethora of languages. Conventional there are almost 7,000 BCC/BCLAD teach- Don’t be a victim of unfair job and assistance to all rehoused teachers
wisdom holds that conformity to a single ers, with less than 500 of them working actions and false charges. UTLA wants through the Unjustly Housed Teach-
language system, in this case one based in programs that require it. And while you to know: You are not alone. We are ers Committee. The committee meets
on English, is the best education method. it may be true that some of those 6,500 here for you. monthly at the UTLA building. The
However, since the 1980s many intrepid would not choose to reenter multilingual next meeting is February 16 from 4 to
educators have pioneered what is now programs, many are anxiously waiting Call or email the UTLA officers 6 p.m. in Room 904. The UTLA build-
known as dual immersion education. Nat- to do just that. The other fact is that there listed below and attend the Unjustly ing is located at 3303 Wilshire Blvd.,
urally, there have been detractors from are thousands of native Spanish-speaking Housed Teachers Committee Meeting Los Angeles, CA 90010 (213-487-5560).
this method, but as our experience and teachers in our classrooms—many more to get the assistance and support you
knowledge of the practice and results of than there were in past years. This pool deserve. UTLA is ready, willing, and able to
dual immersion education has grown, so of language-ready educators would be a help its falsely accused and unfairly
too has the evidence of its benefits. Thus, wonderful and logical recruiting ground UTLA officer contacts: If you’ve treated members. Make the call, attend
it is necessary to build upon this founda- for future BCLAD authorizations. been recently removed from the class- the meeting, and let UTLA help you.
room, please contact UTLA Secondary

25

United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net January 29, 2016

UTLA Classifieds

CLASSIFIED AND DISPLAY AD POLICY: UNITED TEACHER will not accept ads for legal services in the areas of worker’s compensation or personal injury; nor
advertising for tobacco or alcoholic beverages; nor advertising deemed misleading or offensive to members; nor advertising inconsistent with the programs and
purposes of United Teachers Los Angeles.

BOOKS TRAVEL students, and job share partner! Please email me LAUSD POSITIONS
for more information. Thanks! [email protected] AVAILABLE

Secondary Teaching Techniques, Stories, Computer Travel to Colombia: Witness for Peace delegation I’m looking for a job share partner for Spring Semes- Patrick Henry Academy of Performing and Visual
Teacher Book, Quit Smoking: www.PaulRallion.com. to northwest Colombia in solidarity with communi- ter or S.Y. 2016-2017 at your school, preferably South Arts Magnet (located in Granada Hills) is seeking
ties’ nonviolently resisting displacement. Physically or East local district. I have 17 years of teaching ex- highly qualified applicants for teaching position
INCOME TAX and emotionally challenging trip. Commitment to perience in Elementary General Ed. (562) 291-8038. for the 2016-2017 school year. Candidates apply-
nonviolence. COST: $1,300 plus airfare to Colom- ing to our new Performing Arts Magnet must hold
Franks Mobile Tax service. Retired LAUSD teacher. bia. July 20 to 30, 2016. Contact Patrick Bonner, Job share partner wanted for the spring semester a multiple subject credential and have extensive
Over 30 years’ experience preparing taxes. Phone [email protected], (323) 563-7940. www.wit- and beyond. (The deadline is November 15.) We can experience working with adolescents in the per-
(626) 864-6136 or (626) 964-4215. nessforpeace.org. possibly alternate semesters—either your school or forming and visual arts, with a strong emphasis in
mine, South. Twenty-plus years with LAUSD, en- dramatic performance, directing, art design or vo-
Federal and State back tax issues? Haven’t filed LAUSD EMPLOYMENT joyed previous job share experience. Contact Su- cal performance. Candidates must be knowledge-
your prior or current year tax returns? Salary gar- san: (310) 541-1472/[email protected]. able in teaching Common Core curriculum as well
nishments? Call John, Enrolled Agent with Master’s Job share/employment as demonstrate the ability to design creative and
degree in taxation to assist you, (818) 741-5847. available ads in LAUSD Job share position wanted in the Northeast side of engaging ways to integrate the arts in the core sub-
employment section are FREE. the San Fernando Valley. Split week or mornings. jects. Please email a cover letter with your resume
FOR UTLA MEMBERS! DragonflyHill Community Contact Mayra Nunez-Flores, (818) 203-7100. to [email protected].
Tax Services offers FREE 2014 tax return reviews JOB SHARE
and 2015 filing DISCOUNTS! UTLA-R Andy Griggs, Job share partner needed for spring semester Various positions are open and available for quali-
certified tax preparer, specializing in educators’ My name is Brad Green and I have a Moderate to 2016-2017 at a fantastic elementary school in fied teachers at Birmingham Community Charter
taxes and year-round consulting. (310) 704-3217, Severe Special Education Credential. I am also flu- East L.A. I have 17 years’ experience, bilingual, High School. Join a vibrant community of educa-
[email protected]. ent in Sign Language. I am looking to share a job at flexible and collaborative. Looking for a teacher tors at BCCHS. Apply on Ed Join.org
someone’s site, preferably in the Valley or Hollywood. with excellent qualifications and previous expe-
MASSAGE The district has stop sending students to my Special rience teaching 4th or 5th grade and willing to William J. Johnston Community Day School is
Education Center so with over 20 years credentialed work together to give the students a great educa- accepting applications for a full-time science/
If you are struggling with stress or an aching shoul- experience, I find myself with the lowest seniority and tion. Please send resume (so I can present to my technology teacher. Those interested should send
der, and a range of motions which requires special will have to find another position in August. I would principal) to [email protected]. Carmen Lopez, letter of intent, resume summarizing experience,
body work, I offer a variety of modalities appropriate prefer one semester on, one off, but I am open to oth- (818) 633-4165. and letters of recommendation to: Barbara Politz,
for your situation; among them are: Shiatsu + deep er possibilities. Please contact me at (818) 506-6453. Johnston CDS, 2210 N. Taper Ave, San Pedro, CA
tissue. Certificate #10798. Telephone (323) 454-7615. Job share position wanted on the Westside. Gen. 90731 or email to Barbara Politz blp2505@lausd.
Job share position wanted in the NE or mountain ED., S.D.C. or RSP. Split week or afternoons. Con- net or fax to (310) 832-7914.
RENTAL schools. Elementary, General Ed. Split week or af- tact: D @ (310) 505-5596.
ternoons. Please contact Narineh at (818) 624-3421.
One bedroom/One bath, East of Downtown Los An- LAUSD HUMAN RESOURCES
geles. $1,095 one-year minimum lease. Call Connie My name is Farshid Yadegar. I’m interested in find-
(213) 880-0264. ing someone to share an assignment with. I’m a Presents
special ed teacher: resource (IRST) and I work for
T-SHIRTS a community day school. Please contact Farshid at REDUCED WORKLOAD
[email protected]. INFORMATIONAL
Various designs available at GoldStarTees through MEETING
Etsy.com. Looking for someone to do a half-day, long-term
sub position from April 1 until the end of the year. 9:00 A.M. TO 10:30 A.M.
You work the afternoons. This is for an RSP position SATURDAY, February 27, 2016
at a great school in Eagle Rock. Great assistant,
BEAUDRY BUILDING, 15TH FLOOR
How To Place Your UT Classified Ad
Reduced Workload is a leave granted by LAUSD and CalSTRS.
Print your ad from your computer or use a typewriter. Count the number of words
in your ad. Area code and telephone number count as one word. Email and web All new applicants must meet the following
address count as one word. Street address counts as one word. City and state, minimum requirements by July 1, 2016:
including zip code, count as one word. Abbreviations and numbers are consid-
ered words and are charged individually. The classified ad rate is $1.50 per word • 55 years of age
for each time your ad runs (there is no charge for LAUSD job share/employment • 10 years of full-time service with LAUSD,
available ads). Multiply the number of words in your ad by $1.50. This is the cost
for running your ad one time in UNITED TEACHER. If you’re running your ad in the last five of which are continuous
more than one issue, multiply the one-time total by the number of issues you • HR and CalSTRS approval
wish the ad to appear. We have a ten word minimum ($15.00). All ads are pay-
able in advance by check or money order. Please make check payable to UTLA. Please e-mail Rachel Saldana at [email protected] to make
The deadline to receive your classified ad at the UTLA Communications Dept. your reservation and you will receive an email confirmation.
is noon on the Monday that falls two weeks prior to the publication date. Any Registration deadline is February 24, 2016.
questions? Call (213) 637-5173. Mail ad and payment to Classifieds, UNITED
TEACHER, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010.

Share your school’s good news!

Send details on awards, honors, special events, and
great schoolwide programs to [email protected].

26

United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net January 29, 2016

UNITED TEACHER

GRAPEVINE

Creativity for the Classroom Summer workshops for teachers on of the 100th, 442nd, and MIS and the resist- school in the greater Los Angeles area,
at Inner-City Arts Japanese American Incarceration ers of conscience. Thirty-six teachers and and exemplary teaching and leadership
educators will be selected to participate skills. Applications are due February 15,
Inner-City Arts in downtown Los The Japanese American Citizens League in each of the two sessions, and a stipend 2016. For more information, visit http://
Angeles provides hands-on training for (JACL) is holding a summer workshop of $1,200 will be provided to each partici- mt.mfala.org.
K-12 teachers in visual and performing on the Japanese American incarceration, pant to cover transportation, lodging, and
arts through its popular Creativity in funded through a grant from the National food costs. The deadline for applications is Free bus funding from LA Plaza de
the Classroom series. The program runs Endowment for the Humanities. JACL will March 1, 2016. For additional information, Cultura y Artes
five Saturdays and features accessible conduct two week-long workshops in Los go to www.neh2016.jacl.org.
arts lessons with articulated strategies Angeles beginning on July 24, 2016, and on Explore Mexican, Mexican American,
for integrating the arts across the cur- August 7, 2016. The workshops are titled Math for America L.A. now and Los Angeles history at LA Plaza
riculum and across grade levels. The “The Constitution in Times of Crisis: The accepting Master Teacher de Cultura y Artes, L.A.’s Mexican and
latest brain research and its application Japanese American Internment” and will Fellowship applications Mexican American museum and cultur-
in the classroom are explored. Classes be held at the Japanese American National al center. LA Plaza is now offering free
are fun and teachers leave feeling in- Museum. Each five-day workshop will The Master Teacher Fellowship is a transportation assistance in the form of
spired, having learned many ways to feature a day trip to Manzanar; a visit five-year program designed to help ex- reimbursement to Title I LAUSD schools
deepen student engagement, strengthen to Santa Anita Park, which served as a ceptional math/computer science teachers through Summer 2016. This opportunity
their school communities, and expand temporary detention center; and sessions become leaders by supporting them as is available for indoor museum experi-
their own repertoire of activities for where some who were in the camps will they design and orchestrate an improve- ences in Calle Principal (K-3) and LA
the classroom. Hands-on workshops relate their personal experiences. Profes- ment project focused on student-centered Starts Here (4-12). Groups must have a
include drawing, painting, ceramics, sors from UCLA will conduct sessions on results. Applicants apply as a team, with minimum of 40 students in order to partici-
dance, music, drama, poetry, and play- specific aspects of the internment experi- one to two other teachers at their school pate in this two-hour guided experience,
making. Five Saturdays: February 27, ences. Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, author site. Teachers selected for the fellowship which includes a hands-on art workshop
March 12, April 2, April 16, and April of Farewell to Manzanar, will provide an will receive $50,000 salary support over component. Transportation assistance is
30, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The fee overview of the internment experience, the course of the fellowship ($10,000 annu- offered on a first-come, first-served basis as
is $225; work-study available by special Dale Minami will discuss the constitu- ally), funding to attend regional/national funds are limited. Reservations are avail-
arrangement. Space is limited. Salary tional impact, John Tateishi will present math conferences, an additional planning able Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and
points or extension units available. For on the Redress Campaign, and professors period during the school day to carry out Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. For more
more information or a registration form, Lane Hirabayashi and Valerie Matsumoto their improvement project, and more. Se- information, please contact schooltours@
go to www.inner-cityarts.org or contact will discuss the psychological impact and lection criteria includes five years of ex- lapca.org or (213) 542-6242. Detailed in-
Valerie Miller at [email protected] art in the camps, respectively. Additional perience teaching math/computer science formation is available at www.lapca.org.
or (213) 627-9621, ext. 113. topic areas will include the contributions grades 7-12 in a high-need public/charter
(continued on page 22)

27

UTLA January Newsletter Ad | FINAL2 | 12-309-15