I have mixed feelings as I write this column. This is the home stretch of my presidency. While I’m tempted to look back and reflect, I can’t… not just yet. I must continue full speed ahead with both hands on the wheel for the time being. Why? Well, because we have a lot of work to do and with that comes both opportunities and challenges. I am of course very optimistic about how CTA will create and seize opportunities and how, together, we’ll meet any challenges that come our way.

One of my favorite things to do as your union president is to visit members around the state. Without exception, every time I hit the road, I am inspired by the dedication and care you show your students, the stories and experiences you share, and by how you meet challenges as educators and as a community.

I am pleased to report that the forecast is: bright futures. It’s no secret that some public schools have access to more resources and safeguards than others, but it’s also no secret that the educator superpower almost always involves heroic actions to make sure all students have equitable learning opportunities regardless of their zip code.

Often someone will ask why we care about the budget and the legislature… and voting. That’s a good question and one that I can answer.

Gov. Newsom presented his 2023-24 state budget last month. Despite
a $22.5 billion deficit, he made good on his ongoing commitment to
public education, and it looks like another record year for public school funding in California. This is one of the many reasons we care about voting. Electing leaders who share our values and goals for California’s students and neighborhood public schools means they will show up in good times and in bad, just like Gov. Newsom did.

Overall, California per-pupil expenditures next school year will reach about $22,000. For context, just 12 years ago that amount was $7,000. That’s a gain that directly benefits our students and why the budget, the legislature and voting matters.

While we’re making steady progress in the climb from near the bottom of the 50 states in per-pupil funding, we should be at the top given that California is the fourth largest economy. In. The. World. I have faith in all of us and know we will continue moving in the right direction.

A critical matter that needs our attention is the educator shortage crisis. The CTA Board of Directors created the New Educator Pipeline and Support workgroup that will make recommendations to address this crisis in the next couple of months. The governor and the legislature will be instrumental in adopting policies to attract and retain the quality educators our students need and deserve.

In the meantime, we should encourage people to become educators. We can start by sharing our love of the profession with our own students and inspiring some of them to join us when they decide on a career. Think about why you got into teaching or another part of the education profession. When were those seeds planted? We should be planting those seeds with our own students. We need to inspire young people to enter the profession, and then make sure they have the tools, respect and support they need once they’re here.

Community schools provide students with those tools and support. CTA is involved in every step as we build and transform many of our schools. I’ve seen firsthand the great things happening with these schools, based on a shared leadership model and democratically run from the bottom up. That means educators, district officials, parents and community partners work together to create learning environments and identify programs and services that local students need most. Our cover story “Building a Movement in School Communities” explains this transformational work.

I hope our paths cross when I visit your local or region. Until then, thank you for using your superpower to pave the way to success for your students and your community.

E. Toby Boyd
CTA PRESIDENT
@etobyboyd