More than 600 CTA members attended the 2023 CTA Issues Conference, held in Las Vegas Jan. 13-15. It was the first in-person Issues Conference in three years, and attendees were energized and enthusiastic in the skills-building workshops and topical discussion sessions held over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.

CTA President Boyd speaks to Issues Conference attendees.

In his keynote speech, CTA President E. Toby Boyd urged members to take time to honor Dr. King, noting that the civil rights icon was a staunch supporter of unions.

“He understood the work we do, and what it means not only for our members, but for those students we all serve,” Boyd said.

This year’s conference theme was “Standing Together, Standing Strong.” The Issues Conference brings together local leaders and activists to learn, discuss and strategize so we can organize and increase our collective voice on state and local issues that matter most in education.

“Thanks to you, we’ve accomplished so much on behalf of our students.” – CTA President E. Toby Boyd

Boyd, in his final months as CTA President, made reference to the many successes CTA and its members have achieved in recent years because of this collective voice and power. “Thanks to you – our CTA family, our union, and our collective commitment to growing our union – [we’ve made gains in] racial and social justice, fair and adequate education funding, teacher-led professional development and ensuring all members have a voice in our union. We’ve accomplished so much behalf of our students,” he said.

Frank Oppedisano and Daryl Hemenway lead “Introduction to the Bargaining Process.”

A participant asks a question in “Key Things to Know and Do as a Site Rep” session, led by Tara Carey.

Members working hard during “Bargaining Resources for Community Schools,” led by Mark DeWeerdt.

Group selfie after the “Build Power Through Messaging” workshop.

Workshops included skills-based sessions such as “Up Your Social Media Game” and “101 Ways to Energize Your Chapter” to essential practices such as “Women in Leadership: Make Your Seat at the Table” and “Building Worksite Power to Win at the Bargaining Table.”

Dr. Cherina Betters

The closing speaker was Dr. Cherina Betters, chief of equity and access for San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and adjunct professor in the Teacher Education Credential Program at CSUSB. Her presentation looked at the work needed to ensure students’ success. “We want to create systems where our children have a sense of belonging,” she said. “Teaching/leadership is stretching beyond reaching kids at a cognitive level. We must also meet students at their social and emotional need and that requires building trust relationships with young people.”

CTA offers a variety of conferences that offer trainings, workshops and opportunities to discuss and explore issues that have an impact on public education, educators and students. See the 2023 lineup at cta.org/conferences.

Top photo, CTA President E. Toby Boyd speaks to Issues Conference attendees.