Newly elected officers, including Secretary-Elect Erika Jones, ascend to positions in late June

LOS ANGELES –The State Council of Education elected new officers to lead the California Teachers Association at its March quarterly meeting Saturday. The union’s top-governing body elected Vice President David Goldberg to lead the 310,000-member education association and CTA Secretary-Treasurer Leslie Littman as vice president.  Last January, the 750-member body representing K-14 educators throughout the state elected Board Director Erika Jones to serve as the next Secretary-Treasurer. The new leadership team will take office on June 26. Each was elected to serve a two-year term.

“Students and their needs are at the center of everything we do as educators and as union leaders. It’s a core value that drives the work we do in our schools and colleges and at the bargaining table,” said Goldberg. “As a veteran educator and long-time union activist, I’ve learned that to get things done, there must be bottom-up participation and decision-making by educators across our classrooms and communities. I am humbled by the support of our union. Leslie, Erika, and I stand ready to create opportunities for educators and families, confront the challenges ahead, and put it all on the line for all California students. We have incredible power when we are connected to each other and accountable to each other.”

Goldberg, 51, is currently serving his second term as vice president. He has been an educator for more than 25 years, spending most of his career as a bilingual teacher at Murchison Elementary in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). As vice president, Goldberg is leading CTA’s effort to support educators, students and families to re-imagine public education through the expansion of Community Schools in California.

Littman, 54, of Santa Clarita in Los Angeles County, has taught AP US History, Economics and Government at Hart High School in the William S. Hart Union High School District for more than 25 years.

Jones, 44, has taught kindergarten through fifth grade for 17 years in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Jones is a civil rights advocate serving her penultimate year on the CTA Board of Directors, representing members of United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA).

“We congratulate David, Leslie and Erika on their victories today,” said CTA President E. Toby Boyd.  “Their combined passion, commitment and knowledge of the teaching profession and the promise of public education for all students makes them a good team to lead CTA through the next two years. At a time when corporate special interests and anti-public education forces are actively trying to undermine educators, truth in history and the safety of LGBTQ+ students, I know this leadership team is ready to tackle the challenges ahead and remain focused on providing all students with the resources and support they need for the quality education they deserve.”

Boyd will leave office on June 25 after serving his second two-year term as president.

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The 310,000-member CTA is affiliated with the 3-million-member National Education Association.