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Award-Winning Newspaper of United Teachers Los Angeles • www.utla.net Volume XLV, Number 10, July 22, 2016

Calling out the billionaires who opposed school funding New report reveals wealthy Californians who tried to defeat Prop. 30 while professing to champion the needs of children and public education.

UTLA was part of a powerful action last month to bring hidden money—and hidden agendas—to light in advance of a critical vote on school funding this fall.

On June 28, parents, students, educa-tors, and community groups leafleted and chanted outside the Century City offices of two of the billionaires exposed in a new report, “Hidden Donations Brought to Light: How the Wealthy Elite Tried to Defeat Proposition 30.” The report reveals the names of previously undisclosed wealthy Californians who donated to a shadowy political group focused on defeating Prop. 30 in 2012 while they associated themselves with public schools that benefited from the increased tax revenue in the measure.

“I am appalled at the hypocrisy of these billionaires,” Rowan Avenue teacher and UTLA Board member Gloria Martinez said. “I am tired of people calling themselves

ical voice of educators and other employees. As part of the “dark money” scheme,

donors contributed to an out-of-state or-ganization, which circulated the funds through other groups before the money was channeled back to California. By then, the donors’ identity was beyond the reach of disclosure laws. Some of the contribu-tors, including Eli Broad, had already been exposed after a state investigation; the Hedge Clippers report adds more than 70 names to the shameful list.

Parents, educators, students, and commu-nity members are asking the donors named in the report to support Prop. 55, the November ballot measure that would extend the Prop. 30 tax on the wealthiest 2% of earners. About $4 billion a year in school funding is at stake.

“As a student, I remember the massive cutbacks that our schools went through just a few years ago,” said Kenia Alcocer,

philanthropists yet they fight funding for arts in school, they fight more nurses in schools, and they try to pack 35 students into my classroom. Our students deserve better, our communities deserve better, our teachers deserve better, our students and parents of color deserve better, and it all starts with these billionaires paying their fair share.”

The action took place outside the offices of Ares Management LP. Two of the mil-lionaires named in the report—Anthony Ressler and John Kissick—are partners in Ares. Ressler is also a founder and former board chair of Alliance charter schools, which continues to wage an illegal anti-union campaign against its own educators (read about a judge’s recent ruling against Alliance on page 5). Some of the secretive funding uncovered in the Hedge Clippers report also went to anti-union Prop. 32, a measure that would have silenced the polit-

a student at East Los Angeles College. “This time around, I think the billionaires who fought against Prop. 30 should do the right thing and support a strong public education system for California.”

Resources: Read the Hedge Clippers re-port at bit.ly/hedgereport and the L.A. Times story at bitly.com/Timeshedgereport.

The release of the report kicked off California Hedge Clippers, a new campaign, linked to the national Hedge Clippers, to combat dark money in politics and expose strategies used by billionaires to undermine public education and other social services. UTLA is a partner in this coalition, along with ACCE (Alliance for California Community Empowerment), AFSCME 3299, POWER (People Organized for Westside Renewal), the Courage Campaign, SEIU Local 721, and other groups.

Community groups praise UTLA contract agreement

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At an action in Century City, East Los Angeles College student Kenia Alcocer (holding mic) urges billionaires to “do the right thing” and not oppose the extension of Prop. 30 on the November ballot. About $4 billion a year in school funding is at stake.

Protestors rallied on June 28 outside the office of Anthony Ressler, one of the more than 70 wealthy Californians who made undisclosed contributions in 2012 as part of an unsuc-cessful attempt to defeat funding for schools and to limit employees’ voice in politics. A companion rally was held in San Francisco outside the offices of Gap Inc. John, Doris, William, and Richard Fisher, heirs to the Gap fortune, contributed $18.3 million to defeat Prop. 30 while sitting on boards of California schools that have profited from the measure.

United Teacher • for the latest news: www.utla.net July 22, 2016

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President’s perspective

Hope amid heartache

By Alex Caputo-Pearl UTLA President

Every summer has its wonderful and rejuvenating aspects—I hope that has been your experience over June and July. You deserve it.

Yet, this has also been a summer of vio-lence, a summer of shaking U.S. society to its core. We have arrived at an explo-sive intersection as a country. Hatred of our LGBTQ sisters and brothers, mental illness, structural and institutionally racist police violence, lack of controls on guns, violence against police, divisive and inflaming political rhetoric given a vehicle by the Trump campaign, and a technological context that has allowed some to be influenced greatly by hate groups and those who promote terror-ism—these have come together to shape this summer of violence.

It has been a summer that shows, more than ever, the contexts from which many of our students arrive in our classrooms and offices. Many are fearful of being profiled or attacked, by people on the street or people with institutional power. Many see weapons in their neighborhoods. Many listen to snippets of the news and hear hateful rhetoric about themselves and their families, or see tragedies that have roots in fear and intolerance. Many surf the web, and see and hear things that are confusing, or that reaffirm stereo-types, or that promote violence. Many are struggling with trauma, or clinical anxiety, or mental illness—identified or unidentified, severe or mild—that creates a context for all of the above to be internalized in unhealthy or debilitating ways. And, with 85% of our students low-income, many of our students know of the positive people, institutions, and traditions in their communities, but also recognize and are deeply affected by the economic marginalization of their neighborhoods and a sense of hopeless-ness than can surround that.

There is a context, of course, that has exacerbated these problems. Calls for government austerity and government running “leanly” and “more like a busi-ness” have led to a failure to create well-paying jobs in low-income communities. Federal, state, and city mental health programs have been slashed to the bone. There has been a lack of political will to control the access to and flow of guns, and a lack of political will to build real police accountability programs. The testing craze in schools has narrowed the curriculum and made it less likely that students are engaged with classes that are explicitly about building toler-ance and cooperation. The list goes on.

There is a very basic symbiotic rela-tionship that has never been more clear: to build a better society, we need great schools, and to have great schools, we need to work for justice in our broader society.

With UTLA’s advocacy and organiz-ing in support of sustainable community schools, we are trying to get at exactly this symbiotic relationship. Sustainable community schools are institutions that:

• Have a well-rounded curriculum, including visual and performing arts; ethnic studies; vocational classes; classes on taking leadership around community issues; classes on building tolerance, un-derstanding, and cooperation; and more.

• Provide access to all students.• Provide equity for all students.• Have personalized environments for

students, with low class sizes.• Have rich out-of-classroom sup-

ports, with health and human services professionals, and mental, social, and emotional services.

• Have effective and well-resourced school discipline programs, based on positive behavior support and includ-ing restorative justice programs.

• Have vibrant parent and community engagement programs.

• Respect educator professionalism in the classroom and in joint decision-making on campus with administration, parents, and other stakeholders.

• Provide ongoing supports to educators.• Intentionally make contributions to

broader community improvement, sup-porting community movements for eco-nomic justice, racial justice, and so on.

Building sustainable community schools will directly contribute to ad-dressing the issues that are shaking U.S. society to its core right now, from racism to underinvestment in our communi-ties to gun violence. And, building sus-tainable community schools will, quite simply, improve education. This is such a central piece to UTLA’s work that the theme of the 2016 UTLA Leadership Con-ference is “Growing Our Movement for

Community Schools.”Over the last year, we have taken some

initial steps in building this movement:• We had tremendous participation in

the Walk-Ins on February 17 and May 4, with a focus on highlighting successful programs at schools, many of which are reflective of the sustainable community school model. Hundreds of schools orga-nized actions, with thousands of members, parents, and students participating.

• We have developed systematic and ongoing relationships with community organizations, which will work with educators at targeted schools to create or expand programs that reflect the com-munity school model.

• Within our 2014-2015 contract and 2015-2016 reopeners, we won investment in programs that support the community school model: initial steps on reducing class size, additional counselors and HHS staffing, a focus on addressing the needs at high-poverty schools, real educator support, and more.

• We have initiated advocacy with LAUSD School Board members to use ex-isting programs that reflect the community school approach to argue for investment in expanding these programs and replicating them in other schools.

• We are meeting quarterly with the leaderships of the San Diego, Oakland, San Francisco, San Bernardino, and other teacher unions, planning for a legislative strategy that would bring investment into building community schools.

Moreover, in the last month, UTLA has played a key role in expanding the capacity of the national movement for sustainable community schools. UTLA worked with the union leaderships in Milwaukee, San Diego, Chicago, Boston, and others to pass resolutions at both

(continued on next page)

At the June 14 rally outside the LAUSD School Board, Alex holds the megaphone for student Rebecca Kim, who talked about the resources her school needs that could be funded if charter schools paid their fair share. Kim is a student at RFK Community School and a member of the Schools L.A. Students Deserve Grassroots Coalition. Read more about the rally on page 4.

United Teacher PRESIDENT Alex Caputo-Pearl NEA AFFILIATE VP Cecily Myart-Cruz AFT AFFILIATE VP Betty Forrester ELEMENTARY VP Juan Ramirez SECONDARY VP Colleen Schwab TREASURER Arlene Inouye SECRETARY Daniel Barnhart

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jeff Good

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

NORTH AREA: Kirk Thomas, Chair (Eagle Rock ES), Karla Griego (Buchanan ES), Rebecca Solomon

(RFK UCLA Comm. School), Julie Van Winkle (Logan Span School)

SOUTH AREA: Ingrid Villeda, Chair (93rd Street ES), Ayde Bravo (Maywood ES),

Maria Miranda (Miramonte ES), L. Cynthia Matthews (McKinley ES)

EAST AREA: Gillian Russom, Chair (ESP Academy), Ingrid Gunnell (Lane ES), Gloria Martinez (Rowan ES),

Adrian Tamayo (Lorena ES)

WEST AREA: Erika Jones Crawford, Chair (CTA Director), Noah Lippe-Klein (Dorsey HS), Rodney Lusain

(Los Angeles HS), Jennifer Villaryo (Grand View ES)

CENTRAL AREA: José Lara, Chair (Santee EC), Kelly Flores (Maya Angelou), Paul Ngwoke (Bethune

MS), Zulma Tobar (Harmony ES)

VALLEY EAST AREA: Scott Mandel, Chair (Pacoima Magnet), Victoria (Martha) Casas (Beachy ES), Mel

House (Elementary P.E.), Alex (David) Orozco (Madison MS)

VALLEY WEST AREA: Bruce Newborn, Chair (Hale Charter), Melodie Bitter (Lorne ES), Wendi Davis

(Henry MS), Javier Romo (Mulholland MS)

HARBOR AREA: Aaron Bruhnke, Chair (San Pedro HS), Karen Macias-Lutz (Del Amo ES), Elgin Scott (Taper ES),

Steve Seal (Eshelman ES)

ADULT & OCCUP ED: Matthew Kogan (Evans CAS)

BILINGUAL EDUCATION: Cheryl L. Ortega (Sub Unit)

EARLY CHILDHOOD ED: Corina Gomez (Pacoima EEC)

HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES: Linda Gordon

SPECIAL ED: Lucia Arias

SUBSTITUTES: Fredrick Bertz

PACE CHAIR: Marco Flores

UTLA RETIRED: John Perez

AFFILIATIONS American Federation of Teachers National Education Association

STATE & NATIONAL OFFICERSCFT PRESIDENT: Joshua Pechthalt

CTA PRESIDENT: Eric Heins CTA DIRECTOR: Erika Jones Crawford CFT VICE PRESIDENT: Betty Forrester

NEA PRESDIENT: Lily Eskelsen Garcia AFT PRESIDENT: Randi WeingartenNEA DIRECTOR: Sonia Martin Solis

UTLA COMMUNICATIONS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Alex Caputo-Pearl

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: Anna BakalisCOMMUNICATIONS SPECIALISTS:

Kim Turner, Carolina Barreiro, Tammy Lyn GannADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Laura Aldana

EDITORIAL INFORMATIONUNITED TEACHER

3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Fl., LA, CA 90010Email: [email protected]

UTLA main line: (213) 487-5560

ADVERTISINGSenders Communications Group

Bruce Loria: (818) 884-8966, ext. 1107

UNITED TEACHER accepts paid advertisements from outside companies and organizations, including UTLA sponsors and vendors with no relationship with UTLA. Only approved vendors can use the UTLA logo in their ads. The content of an advertisement is the responsibility of the advertiser alone, and UTLA cannot be held responsible for its accuracy, veracity, or reliability. Appearance of an advertisement should not be viewed as an endorsement or recommendation by United Teachers Los Angeles.

United Teacher (ISSN # 0745-4163) is published monthly (except for a combined June/July issue) by United Teachers Los Angeles, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Subscriptions: $20.00 per year. (Price included in dues/agency fee of UTLA bargaining unit members.) Periodical postage paid at Los Angeles, California. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to United Teachers Los Angeles, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Telephone (213) 487-5560.

Building sustainable community schools will help the critical issues that are shaking U.S. society to its core right now.


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PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE (continued from previous page)

the National Education Association (NEA) Representative Assembly and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Convention for both national unions to invest more financially in the Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools (AROS) and in local struggles for community schools that shape the national policy environment.

AROS is a national labor/community coalition made up of NEA, AFT, other unions such as SEIU, and the largest national community organizing net-works, including Center for Popular Democracy, Journey for Justice, and Alli-ance for Educational Justice. AROS was the driving force behind the February 17 and May 4 National Walk-Ins, pro-vides the space for groups across the country to strategize together, provides support for local organizing, and will be the centerpiece to building a nation-al movement for community schools and broader educational justice. The two central policy strands that define AROS’s work are advocating for invest-ment in sustainable community schools and advocating for national, state, and local policy measures that hold all publicly funded schools—District and charter—to common-sense regulations around access for students, transparen-cy in budgeting, involvement of parents, and more. In other words, in AROS’s work, there is a fundamental under-standing that fighting for investment in community schools must be paired with fighting against the billionaires’

agenda to rapidly expand unregulated charter schools.

One of the most difficult tasks in par-enting and teaching is productively and critically engaging young people about events happening around us that are terrifying, that seem to defy understand-ing. As events unfolded this summer in Orlando, Baton Rouge, Minneapolis, Dallas, other U.S. cities, and around the world, and as Donald Trump and his emissaries have made hateful comments,

I have, at times, struggled to find the right ways to engage my own 11- and 8-year-old son and daughter. It can be very difficult to do so.

I have taken comfort, however, in being able to discuss with them a hopeful side, stories of what we want schools to look like, what we want com-munities to look like, and how those visions flow toward making the world a better place. I consider myself fortunate to be able to speak about this with my

kids in very concrete ways, not just in abstractions—because UTLA is a part of leading the every-day, on-the-ground movement for sustainable community schools.

While there is much to reflect upon in these times, please remember to always take time for yourself, your family, and your loved ones. Have a great rest of the summer, and I am very much looking forward to continuing the work with you in 2016-2017.

Get connected to UTLA Facebook: facebook.com/UTLAnow

Twitter: @utlanow

YouTube: youtube.com/UTLAnow

4 Rally at the School Board: No more blank checks for charters Community demands that all schools pay their fair share.

4 Wilmington MS fights flawed “magnetization” process School destabilized by rushed implementation.

5 Judge finds that Alliance illegally violated teachers’ rights Management faulted for anti-union campaign.

8 NEA-RA: Reflections of a first-time delegate Finding renewed energy and passion for the year ahead.

In this issue

5 Prop. 30 extension makes ballot

6 Milestones

6 UTLA retirement dance

12 Q&A on CalSTRS increases

15 Accolades for educators

16 Retirees’ corner

17 Vendors on campus: Who is allowed?

18 Classifieds

19 Grapevine

Left: Educators march for fairness at School Board on June 14.

The California Hedge Clippers coalition aims to oust billionaires’ secret donations that hurt public education and other social services. See cover story.

Community groups hail UTLA contract agreement“A lot of people consider teacher

union contract negotiations to be about narrower issues like salaries, benefits, and work rules—and all of those are important and we deal with those—but we’re using these agreements to expand what the union goes to the table for,” Caputo-Pearl said.

Followup read: Taking UTLA’s recent contract agreement as a starting point, a new piece by American Prospect looks at how teachers’ unions across the country are expanding their focus to the broader community. Read “Teachers Unions Are Bargaining for the Common Good” at http://prospect.org.

Local community organizations— including Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy, Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, Inner-City Struggle, and the Advancement Project—hailed UTLA’s recent con-tract agreement for directing more re-sources toward students in high-needs schools. In June UTLA members voted overwhelmingly—by 97% to 3%—to approve the contract.

“We commend UTLA’s innovative leadership in leveraging its bargaining power to deliver real and impactful investments for low-income communi-ties of color,” said John Kim, the Ad-vancement Project’s executive director.

The contract agreement will impact stu-dents in diverse ways, as well as improving the evaluation process for educators. Specific items bargained include hiring a Pupil Ser-vices and Attendance counselor for high-poverty high schools, reducing class size at 55 most-needy elementary schools, institut-ing class-size caps in secondary P.E. classes, adding an additional full-time teacher at secondary schools for elective classes, ad-dressing excessive caseloads in special educa-tion, and expanding hours for PSA and PSW counselors at schools that have them.

In an interview with American Prospect, UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl said collective bargaining is an important tool available to fight for equity and justice.


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Rally at the School Board: No more blank checks for charters

UTLA educators and community protest flawed magnetization of Wilmington MS

Community demands that all schools pay their fair share.

Parents, teachers, community members, and students rallied outside the LAUSD School Board on June 14 to demand that the District make charter schools pay their fair share by collecting legally allowed re-imbursements and other fees. As exposed by the UTLA-commissioned report on the fiscal impact of charters, for years LAUSD has left money on the table that could have gone to student needs, such as lower class size, enriched curriculum, and fully staffed campuses.

“Our traditional schools are being robbed of needed funding in order to support charter schools,” said Hilda Ro-driguez Guzman, parent of three children who attended charter schools. “We need all schools to receive the funding they need so that all our children can thrive. We can’t let the majority of our schools starve so that a few special schools can do well.”

At the rally, a group of “billionaires” engaged in a tug-of-war with students, parents, and educators over funding. Later, a delegation spoke at the School Board meeting and presented the Board with an oversized check symbolizing the millions in uncollected fees that have subsidized the charter school industry at the expense of public education and neighborhood schools. The California Charter Schools Association was called out for being part of the problem; the group aggressively lobbies at the local and state level to pri-oritize the growth opportunities for charter school operators over the educational op-portunities for all students.

“For the sake of all students, LAUSD should be aggressively collecting reim-bursements from charters that use District facilities—not cowering because of the bullying of the billionaire-funded Califor-nia Charter Schools Association,” UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl said. “We need CCSA to back off and for LAUSD to collect space over-allocation reimburse-ments now. Otherwise, it’s like writing a blank check to the charter school industry.”

The “Fiscal Impact of Charter Schools on the Los Angeles Unified School Dis-trict” report found that financially strained

LAUSD lost more than $590 million to un-checked independent charter school growth in one year alone. One of the factors con-tributing to the loss is that the District is failing to collect financial fees from Prop. 39 co-located charters that were given space they didn’t need on District campuses.

If costs associated with unchecked inde-pendent charter school expansion are not addressed with common-sense solutions, the District will face financial insolvency. In-

solvency would impact both District schools and existing independent charter schools, which depend on the District for programs, support, infrastructure, and oversight. UTLA’s 35,000 members include educators in all categories of L.A. schools—District schools, affiliated charter schools, and in-dependent charter schools. Our members share a commitment to building a stable, high-quality public education system that serves all students, District and charter.

At the UTLA rally, “billionaires” carried an oversized check to symbolize the millions in uncol-lected fees that have subsidized the charter school industry.

LAUSD’s rushed conversion of Wilm-ington Middle School to a magnet school is raising serious issues and has triggered community action to demand that the Dis-trict address the concerns.

Many parents and teachers support the concept of converting to a STEAM magnet, but they believe that the District is cor-rupting the process, which is harming the campus and undercutting the chances of success in the new format.

Key among the complaints is that LAUSD’s own policy was not followed to secure stakeholder input, which should have included parents from feeder schools and community residents. Wilmington resident Magali Sanchez-Hall has tried to get answers on the magnet plan from LAUSD officials, via email and office visits, but none of the information she requested has been received as of yet.

“Converting the school to a magnet may be a good thing, but how do we know?” Sanchez-Hall says. “The community has been left out. LAUSD needs to share its vision and ask parents and the commu-nity what we think. Then we can say, ‘Yes, we need this in the community’ or ‘No, we don’t.’ If they don’t do that, they are forcing this down our throats and it may not be good for our kids.”

Last spring, Wilmington Middle School administration had talked to staff about bringing a magnet center onto the campus, but after an unanticipated School Board

vote this April, the plan shifted to convert-ing the entire school to a magnet. With only a week’s notice, teachers were presented with a vote on the Board’s action.

All teachers (but not administrators) were forced to reapply for their posi-tions, and some valued educators were not asked back and have been displaced from the school. Others decided to leave of their own accord because LAUSD’s actions were creating tension and uncer-tainty on campus. UTLA has persistently protested the District’s exploitation of the magnetization process to force staff to reapply for their positions. Displacing teachers harms schools by destabilizing campuses and disrupting students’ con-tinuity of learning.

“Mouths dropped open when parents and

students heard who would not be coming back,” chapter chair Taimi Crowell says. “Some of the teachers had taught multiple generations of the same family. Relationships have been wiped out because of adult issues, not student issues. Teachers were let go who had proven track records, many of whom were outspoken advocates for students.”

Parents and educators have been pushing back and demanding that LAUSD follow a fair and transparent process, listen to the community, and return all teachers to the campus. In the final days of the school year, teachers and parents leafleted arriving parents and hung “alert” flyers in the com-munity. UTLA officers, the Harbor area rep-resentative, and area leaders have met with the Wilmington staff, and delegations of educators, parents, community members,

UTLA leadership, and the Harbor Area representative have met with local district leadership and will be meeting with School Board member Richard Vladovic. Some progress has been made, with three addi-tional teachers returning to the school out of the 10-plus originally displaced, but the work goes on. During the summer, parents, educators, and community members have been attending events in the Wilmington area, including a health fair at a nearby recreation center, to reach out to the com-munity with their concerns.

“Bottom line, parents and the community need to be involved, and I want the teachers to know that the community is with them,” Sanchez-Hall says. “If we see that the kids will be taken care of and it’s a good plan for students, then we will support it.”

The Wilmington Middle School community is spreading the word about the rushed magnetization of the school by posting flyers in local busi-nesses, attending events like health fairs, and speaking to residents in the neighborhood.


5

Judge finds that Alliance illegally violated teachers’ rights

Pali scores multiyear contract deal

It’s official: Prop. 30 extension qualifies for November ballot

Alliance College-Ready Public Schools ordered to cease illegal actions at its 27 schools.

Agreement includes locked-in raises and health benefits.

Passing the California Education Health Care Protection Act—Prop. 55—will prevent severe cuts to education.

California Administrative Law Judge Kent Morizawa, in a ruling released in June, has found that Alliance College-Ready Public Schools violated the state’s Educational Employment Relations Act and the rights of the charter chain’s 650 teachers by illegally interfering with access to Alliance’s email system and blocking online newsletters about the need for a union at the 27-school public charter chain.

Additionally, the judge ruled that Alli-ance wrongfully denied UTLA organizers access to at least two Alliance campuses (Alliance Susan & Eric Smidt Technology High School and Alliance Renee & Meyer Luskin Academy High School). The judge also found that an Alliance administrator, in clear violation of state law, had threat-ened a teacher with a poor evaluation and lower wages because of her involvement with the union on her own time.

Alliance has been ordered to cease and desist its illegal activity immediately and also has been ordered to communicate to all members of its faculty and staff an admission of its wrongful behavior and illegal actions.

“The educators at Alliance involved in

Palisades Charter High School educa-tors headed into negotiations in April for one-year “reopener” talks, but they ended up securing a multiyear contract extension that locks in health benefits for three years and includes raises in each of those years.

The highlights of the agreement:• 2% salary increases for each of the

three years of the contract (2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19).

• Auxuliaries are paid in a new way (overall cost is roughly equivalent to a 0.5% across-the-board raise).

Efforts by UTLA members and thou-sands of people around the state have begun to pay off. The Children’s Edu-cation and Health Care Protection Act (CEHCPA) has officially qualified for the November ballot as Proposition 55.

The measure will keep in force Cali-fornia’s current income tax rates on the wealthiest taxpayers—singles earning more than $250,000 and couples earning more than $500,000 a year—to prevent billions in cuts to education and other vital services. It will help the state’s public schools and children’s health services continue reversing years of cuts that have devastated programs serving our young people. Budget fore-casts show that unless we extend the taxes on the wealthy, our public schools will lose nearly $4 billion in the first

the organizing campaign are dedicated to their students and their profession and they want to work together through a union to improve education for students and improve retention of teaching staff, but rather than being heard they were harassed,” said UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl. “This court ruling sends a strong message that the rights of teachers should be honored and that union activity in public charter schools is a protected right.”

“Alliance has been ordered to ‘cease and desist’ its illegal behavior,” said UTLA attorney Jesus Quinonez. “That’s not a ‘major win,’ as Alliance management tried to claim in an internal communication to employees. It is a finding of fact that the executives of this company have violated the law by interfering with the rights of teachers and school employees.”

The decision by the judge follows a vote prior to Memorial Day by the Joint Leg-islative Audit Committee (JLAC) in Sac-ramento to investigate Alliance’s spend-ing. The JLAC, which includes senators and members of the state assembly, voted eight to three to order a special investigation by the California state auditor of Alliance’s

• Current health benefits, which include fully paid individual/family coverage, are secure until 2018-19.

• Career increments are restructured to be more even and consistent, with a larger increase for Career Increment 4 (30 years of service) to encourage career longevity.

UTLA represents more than 1,000 members at independent charter schools. Belonging to a union allows these edu-cators the right to bargain over condi-tions of employment, and it gives them a voice to advocate for themselves and their students.

full year alone.A broad and diverse coalition of

teachers, doctors, school employees, parents, working families, community organizations, and business groups supporting the effort submitted close to one million signatures last month to place the measure on the ballot.

Look for more info in the coming weeks on how you can be a part of passing this vital ballot measure.

For more information: www.protectingcalifornia.com

Follow the campaign on Twitter: twitter.com/YesOn55

Like the campaign on Facebook: facebook.com/yeson55

anti-teacher and anti-union activity. That audit will focus on how much money Alli-ance has spent to fund a campaign aimed at coercing public charter school teachers and counselors from exercising a free choice about union representation. Auditors also will investigate whether Alliance improp-erly shared student, parent, and alumni information with third parties, including the California Charter School Association, which had joined a campaign of harassment against Alliance teachers and parents.

State Senator Tony Mendoza, the senator requesting the state audit of the charter school chain, said at the time of the vote, “Alliance schools are publicly funded, and the purpose of those funds is to educate children inside the classroom—not to intimidate teachers and parents.”

Alliance’s teaching staff and UTLA first filed charges with the California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), the agency charged with enforcing state labor laws for public charter school teachers, in April 2015. Following a review of evidence that documented an unlawful campaign of harassment against Alliance teachers and counselors, PERB issued four unfair labor

practice complaints. PERB also took the unusual step of requesting a temporary restraining order and then an injunction against Alliance’s school administrators.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant granted both requests, ordering the charter chain’s manage-ment to cease harassment against teach-ers and counselors and not to interfere with union organizers.

“UTLA currently represents over 1,000 educators in independent charter schools within LAUSD’s boundaries,” Alex Caputo-Pearl said. “Educators at major charter school operators such as Green Dot have a voice through their union, and even virtual charter schools in California now have unions. Unions have a place in charter schools just as they do in more traditional school settings. In the past two weeks both state lawmakers and the courts have invoked the law and have indicated to Alliance managers that they need to treat teachers with respect and to honor their rights as individuals who teach in publicly funded schools and who have a right to form a union. Let’s see if Alliance has learned their lesson.”

Pali High bargaining team members Steve Klima (chapter chair) and Dave Suarez (co-chair).


6

UTLA officers on hand to honor new retirees.

MilestonesRetirements

Longtime staff member Judith Bruner retired June 30, 2016, after more than half a century of service to UTLA and its predecessor union. Ms. Bruner had three careers during this time, working her way up the ladder as Support Staff, then as the Director of Support Ser-vices, and since 1997 as Compensation and Benefits Specialist on Professional Staff.

“I like to tell the story about when I was a switchboard operator in the old days when switchboards were made out of wood and full of various wires,” Ms. Bruner says. “I was such a hot operator that the board caught on fire one day and filled our small office with smoke. The firemen who came were really cute guys!”

“It has been a pleasure to be of

service to so many people,” she says. “UTLA has my best wishes for a success-ful future.”

Passings

Margaret “Maggie” Crumrine Letcher passed away on May 13, 2016.

Maggie was born in Anacortes, Wash-ington, in 1931. Maggie graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1973 and followed in 1974 with her master’s degree in library science from USC. After graduation Maggie began her career as a librarian in several LAUSD schools, including El Sereno Middle School and Lincoln High School, and she retired from Belmont High in 2001. It was during these years that Maggie served for 16 years on the Board of Directors for the Profes-sional Women of Los Angeles Philhar-monic, as board chairman of the Wilshire

United Methodist Church, and for 12 years on the Board of the Los Angeles School Librarians. Amidst these activi-ties Maggie travelled to Mexico, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Italy, France, China, Russia, and Ireland, along with six trips to England to study their teach-ing methods and satisfy her interest in Agatha Christie.

The word retirement did not mean “slow down,” and Maggie stayed active as the president of the World on Film Club, served on the Board of Opera 100 and was a volunteer at Saddleback Hos-pital. And if that was not enough, she was a member of the Ebell, Friends of Laguna Woods Library, the Computer Club, and enjoyed attending lectures and Bible classes. She married Thomas Letcher in 2005, and they made their home in Laguna Woods, California, until his death in 2010.

Margaret Letcher1931-2016

UTLA thanks members at annual dinner for their years of service to education.

All the best to new retirees

Newly retired teachers and health and human services professionals toasted to their new futures at UTLA’s annual re-tirement dinner dance, held May 21 at Luminarias. UTLA sponsors the event each year to celebrate the careers of retiring members and to recognize them for their decades of service to LAUSD students and their union.

The Dinner Dance Committee is Betty For-rester (co-chair), Billy Tyler (co-chair), Rosa Beasley, Susie Chow, April Colen, Michael Kaplan, Bruce Lee, Stacey Michaels, John Perez, Chuck Vaughn, Evy Vaughn, and Stacie Webster.

New retiree Lois Bradford (right) with Susie Chow. Bradford, a special education teacher, served for 12 years as a UTLA officer.

Mack Elementary teacher Nalis Tatum Mercier with UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl.

Colleagues Ellen Gurnick and Lisa David.

The night always ends with a group photo and the singing of a retirement-themed song.

Gregory Hernandez with UTLA Treasurer Arlene Inouye.

Jeanne Contreras with UTLA-NEA Vice President Cecily Myart-Cruz. Contreras is retiring from Gulf Elementary, where she served as chapter chair and was a valued teacher and union activist.

Janet Davis with UTLA Secretary Dan Barnhart. Davis was a former UTLA Board member in the North Area and served as a valued expert on teacher evaluation on many UTLA committees.

Kailim Toy, who retired from North Holly-wood High Magnet, with UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl.

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Finding renewed energy and passion for the work ahead.

National & state unions

NEA-RA: Reflections of a first-time delegate

I am writing to you from an airplane at 30,000 feet above the ground on the way home from an amazing and empowering learning experience. In July, I attended the National Education Association’s 154th annual meeting, held in our nation’s capital, as a first-time delegate.

We were celebrating the 50th anniver-sary of the merging of the NEA and the ATA (the American Teachers Association), which was the African American teachers’ organization. This merger created a multi-cultural organization whose social justice programs have advocated for America’s minority students and today is a model for countries all over the world.

The theme of this year’s meeting was “Unite, Inspire, Lead.” I was overwhelmed by a convention center filled with 10,000 educators from every state in our nation and guest educators from around the world. Wow! This annual gathering is the largest democratic body in the country, and it includes teachers, secretaries, teacher assistants, nurses, cafeteria staff, computer technicians, librarians, custodians, and maintenance staff. So how did I get here?

Well … what happened was … I had been teaching for 18 years, and I thought I was aware of all my opportunities and benefits through my union. You know, I’m that Type A personality who investigates things, digs in, and finds stuff, but I hadn’t taken advantage of all that union member-ship could bring me. In all honesty, I was probably too busy learning how to teach, and then once I had a handle on that, I joined committees at my school site in hopes to improve the school environment. Then I got ambitious and became a Na-tional Board Certified teacher and followed that with a master’s and an administrative credential. Oh, yeah, I had another kid and, hmmmm, I rested a minute while I let him get old enough to go to school.

Then I left the classroom and joined the Arts Education Branch as an elementary theater arts teacher. I got ambitious again (because I didn’t want to be an adminis-trator) and started a Ph.D. program (I’m almost finished … yay!). So I was busy, just like you are. I thought “they” (the union) just fought for our wages and ben-efits and helped me if I had issues with the administration. All that time I had no idea

about our union’s local, state, and national op-portunities for personal and professional learn-ing and growth. I had no understanding of all the work that was being done to uplift and advance our pro-fession on my behalf by our union, by members who are just like me and you.

That is, until I worked alongside two outstanding women who were actively engaged in the union. They invited me to some events and led me to some grants for professional learning workshops. I have been the recipient of a few grants offered by the California Teachers Association. I got involved in UTLA’s West Area steering committee and was elected as a delegate to the CTA State Council and the NEA Representative Assembly. So here I am, now at 34,000 feet, writing to you about our union.

So, on with the adventure. Before the convention, I was invited to attend the Joint Conference on Concerns of Minori-ties and Women. With an NEA focus on deconstructing systemic organizational racism in education, multiple workshops inspired us to harness the power of our diversity. The conference included a wealth of sessions about cultural com-petency, gender diversity and inclu-sion, bullying, and social justice. I had many powerful “aha” moments during a student panel. The young people pro-vided their perspective on the intersec-tionality of racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and xenophophobia and how these show up at our school sites and what we can do to support students. I will never forget that panel.

Next, to the Representative Assem-bly itself, where we debated legislation, policy, and new business items (NBI) from members across the country. As I watched our UTLA/NEA Vice President Cecily Myart-Cruz stand in front of Microphone 16 and ask the body to support a motion, I realized the power of the assembly. Cecily was presenting NBI 4, a motion calling on the NEA to support state affiliates and locals with resources to participate in the Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools (AROS) and the nationally coordinated October 6 walk-ins around racial justice, full funding and support for community schools, more teaching and less testing, and holding all schools that are publicly funded to the same high standards. UTLA has been a driving participant in two earlier AROS actions—our walk-ins in February and May—and a yes vote would mean more support to keep participating in these important nationwide actions.

NEA President Lily Eskel-sen Garcia called for the vote by saying, “All those in favor say aye,” and then a resounding “aye” echoed across the room. There were some delegates opposed to the motion, but two-thirds of the room approved, and with that it was adopted. Right then and there I realized that I can be the change I want to see in the world, by utilizing democ-racy, one “yes” vote at a time.

For four days I watched del-egates from different states work together to craft the most effec-tive language for policy and leg-islation to best meet the needs of our students and educators. They celebrated their successes and supported the defeats with kindness and insight on what to do next. Did I mention that Sec-retary Hillary Clinton came to speak to us for about 45 minutes?

What a time I had. I lived, loved, laughed, and learned every day I was there. I have also been reminded and overwhelmed by the gross disparities that still plague our educational system and our country. On the morning of the last day, 10,000 educators started the day with heavy hearts because of the horrific shooting of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Philando Castile in St. Paul, Minnesota.

UTLA members were saddened by the news, and we needed to make our voices heard. Although we had been working on policy and legislation for 15 hours, many of us marched to the Capitol, where we were joined by senators who protested with us and continued the march to the White House. We chanted, “Hands up, don’t shoot” and “No justice, no peace, no racist police,” and we sang “We shall overcome.” We thanked the officers who were guarding us along the way as we participated in a peaceful demonstration.

Some of us even took pictures with them, demonstrating that you aren’t against police officers just because you are for reduction in excessive force and violence directed at people of color.

We were invigorated and exhausted at the same time. It was 11 p.m., and we were hot, thirsty, and hungry so we continued to march ourselves to the nearest restaurant. As we got our appetizers, the news of of-ficers Brent Thompson, Patrick Zamarripa, Michael Krol, Lorne Ahrens, and Michael Smith being killed in Dallas, Texas, came via social media. We were even more sad and deflated, knowing the truth of Dr. Martin Luther King’s words: “Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding a deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” There is still work to do. There is STILL work to do.

That night I went to sleep, packed, and here I am, now at 36,020 feet up above our beautiful country, knowing I am passing

By Raissa WhiteLAUSD Arts Educator

NEA President Lily Eskelsen Garcia said that united educators are a powerful antidote to fear and divisiveness. “There’s a real world out there, and it’s not a safe place,” Eskelsen Garcia said. “The world needs us. It’s not a game. The work we do is important, because it has the chance to change the world. “


9

the vast and diverse communities filled with beauty, joy, and infinite potential. I walk away from this experience with my heart full, my mind open, and a renewed energy and passion knowing that I am not alone. There are 3 million of us around our great country working for the betterment of our profession and the children of OUR nation! I have learned there is a place for me in the union where my unique gifts and talents can best serve the greater good.

I reflect on what was asked of me through the theme of the assembly: Unite. Inspire. Lead.

UNITE: This week I have united with others in my union to make a difference, whether it was on the floor of the assembly or on the streets of Washington, D.C., to add my voice to the conversation.

INSPIRE: I am inspired and fired up with a passion for what I do and how we are agents of change. My hope is that this article has inspired you to dig deeper into the possibilities the union has to offer you. I will assist by …

Working to LEAD: I will continue my development as an educator and a change agent, and I hope to lead YOU to the multi-tudes of opportunities in our unions. There is a place for you in our union. You have unique gifts, talents, and creativity that you can share, with the time you have. UTLA, there is work to do! We can do it … LET’S GO!

ResourcesHere is a list of links to find out some

of the opportunities that are available for your personal and professional growth (I

too have some reading to do!).utla.net: Our website. On the newly re-

designed site, launching this month, search for “member resources.”

cta.org: California Teachers Associa-tion. On the blue bar, check out “Member Services,” “Professional Development,” and “About CTA” (CTA Foundation and Useful Links).

nea.org: National Education Associa-tion. Check out the maroon tab on the right titled “Grants and Events.”

neaedjustice.org: Read more about the issues the NEA is focused on.

UTLA members Lisa Harvey Dinwiddie, Jennifer Vil-laryo, and Raissa White at the RA. “Everyone you see with us is only part of the California delegation,” White says. “We are HUGE!”

California delegates on the RA floor.

After hearing news of the police shootings of two African-American men in Louisiana and Minneapolis, members of the UTLA delegation joined a march to the Capitol and then to the White House.

2016 UTLA NEA-RA delegates in attendance

CENTRAL AREAVALLEY WEST AREA EAST AREA

WEST AREA HARBOR AREA VALLEY EAST AREA

NORTH AREA SOUTH AREA


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UTLA and our affiliates offer special programs, workshops, and more to support your financial health.

From the treasurer

Financial insecurity & union resources

If a financial emergency struck—such as an unexpected car repair or vet bill—would you be able to come up with $400? According to a 2013 Federal Reserve Board survey, 47% of all Americans would have trouble doing so and said they would cover the expense by borrowing or selling some-thing, or they would not be able to come up with the money at all.

Most likely the percentage has contin-ued to increase since the survey was re-leased. It is an alarming testament to the

financial state of most Americans—and this includes public school educators.

Add to this the fact that payday lending for middle-class and working families has skyrocketed. Financially strapped families see these loans as a quick fix solution, but the loans usually lead to a debt trap with triple-digit interest rates that many struggle to pay. Payday lending is now a $46 billion industry in the U.S., with 12 million Ameri-cans borrowing more than $7 billion annu-ally from over 22,000 storefronts.

Financial insecurity is an issue that needs to be brought into the open. Generally speaking, people with financial insecurity (or financial distress, fragility, or so on) feel shame and humiliation and suffer in silence. While individuals may feel alone in not being able to make ends meet, it’s important to realize that this is not an in-dividual problem nor an individual’s fault but symptomatic of the obscene societal and economic inequality in America. It is also a problem for which UTLA and our affiliates provides support and resources.

Union financial resources • UTLA offers three pre-retirement

issues conferences a year where informa-tion about budgeting, investments, health benefits, insurance plans, CalSTRS and

more is provided (this year they will be on October 1, 2016; December 3, 2016; and February 4, 2017). Flyers and details for these conferences, which are put on by the Pre-Retirement Issues Committee, will be in the UNITED TEACHER and utla.net. In addition, many of UTLA’s sponsors provide financial workshops and coun-seling, including California Credit Union and First Financial Credit Union. Check out their websites for ongoing resources.

• UTLA members can also benefit from financial resources offered by our state and national affiliates, including workshops, articles, budget counseling services, debt management plans, loans, credit card offers, insurance, and more. Starting on September 1, 2016, UTLA will be a fully merged local and members will have access to all CTA/NEA, CFT/AFT, and AFL-CIO benefits and resources (see www.cta.org, www.nea.org, www.cft.org, www.aft.org, www.unionplus.org).

• If you don’t have a personal budget-ing plan and would like to get started on one, email me at [email protected] for a copy of key “personal finances” forms to help track your spending, project your budgets, and plan for a goal.

• I’ve also found these online resources and tools for adults and kids helpful:

For adults: —www.federalreserve.gov/consumer-

info (updates about credit, leasing, fraud, and more)

—www.moneyinstructor.com (money lessons, lesson plans, articles)

For kids: —www.treasurydirect.gov/kids/kids.

htm (government website for middle school students to learn about saving and investing)

—www.pbskids.org/itsmylife (infor-mation on various topics).

Know that UTLA, together with our state and national affiliates, will continue to fight hard for increased wages and for your pension and health benefits. We will work to strengthen collective bargaining rights and increase state revenue through a millionaires’ tax (Proposition 55) on the November ballot.

We will also continue to address the broader systemic inequities and the economic, racial, and social disparities through our support for increasing the federal minimum wage, regularizing un-documented workers, eliminating gender and race inequities in employment and pay, and more. As a union, UTLA will continue to uplift working people and the families of our students and work for the social transformation that is desperately needed for all of us.

Contact Arlene Inouye at [email protected].

By Arlene Inouye UTLA Treasurer

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Organizing for effective school practices, racial justice, and respect for the profession.

Supporting the profession

Key issue for the new school year: Discipline

Let me tell you a story I heard while at a union meeting. There was a river going downstream, and there were many children being dragged by the current. A group of teachers jumped in and began to pull students out of the water. However, it seemed that the number of children coming down the river didn’t stop. After a while one teacher got out of the water and decided to go upstream. His friends called him back and said, “Don’t leave us! We need

you here to help us with the children.” To which the teacher responded, “I need to find out who’s throwing them into the water.” This story can be in-terpreted in many ways, but one thing it shows is that we can’t fix problems until we discover and deal with the root of the issue.

One issue that has become a prior-ity for many educators, parents, and students is school discipline. Every time I visit schools, I hear a lot about it. There has been little guidance from the District on discipline, to the point that administrators don’t want to deal with it and they leave all the work to our teachers.

It is amazing that for many schools having a school discipline plan is not a priority, or that some sites have them but they’re sitting on a shelf somewhere. The District has done some work on implementing restor-ative justice at secondary schools, but because of the lack of funding and the lack of commitment from school ad-ministrators, the implementation has not been effective. Discipline prob-lems have risen to the point where teachers are discouraged and feel that they have no support.

In the new school year, UTLA will be deepening our work on discipline and organizing for effective school practices that respect the profession and support all students. School discipline is inher-ently connected to racial justice issues—historically, black and Latino students are much more likely to be disciplined and suffer greater rates of in- and out-of-school suspensions, and that reality must inform our efforts.

In early September UTLA will be holding an Elementary/Secondary PD conference with a special focus on dis-cipline issues. Some of our other work on discipline in the coming school year will involve pushing LAUSD for ad-ditional staff; getting feedback from educators, parents, and the community about current discipline practices and ideas; and holding UTLA workshops on model school discipline plans that are

working. We also will be reaching out to School Board members, the LAUSD superintendent, local superintendents, and community groups to make sure that we are on the same page when it comes to student discipline.

We all know how challenging it is to create a positive school climate for all students. On one hand, schools must create safe environments that are free of bullying, violence, and disruptive behaviors that interrupt learning, and when students engage in these behav-iors, schools must hold them account-able. At the same time, we must create supportive environments that provide students with room to learn from their mistakes and that keep them in school and engaged in learning. Reconcil-ing these priorities will be important work that we do together in the coming school year.

By Juan RamirezUTLA Elementary Vice President

Check out the Grapevines on page 19:

Workshops, exhibits, and more


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Conscientious change must be our first priority.

From the secondary VP

Social justice—now more than ever

It is ironic that, while on vacation in another country, I happened upon a BBC News report that foreign countries had issued a travel advisory for its citizens visiting the U.S. because of the recent racial violence. This was so surprising, because the United States has the repu-tation for being a safe and peaceful place

to visit. Our nation is being awakened in new ways by the great divide, both racial and economic, in communities across the country. Clearly, it has been a long time coming for our nation as a whole to open its eyes and see the disparities.

Our country has an image of support-ing equality for all, but now we must strive to reach the reality of equality for all. Our public schools are key to reach-ing that goal. The private institutional-ized education centers are long on words but dramatically short of reaching what has always been the American dream of equality. There is no room for excuses or delay in our mission at UTLA to not only teach the fundamentals of academ-ics but especially now social justice and equality for all.

Therefore, as we embark on the 2016-2017 school year, we cannot view our awakening as simply violence that triggers travel advisories but rather as recognition that change—social, eco-nomic, and educational—must be our first priority.

By Colleen SchwabUTLA Secondary Vice President

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Q&A on increases in CalSTRS contributions

State Assembly Bill 1469, signed into law as part of the 2014-15 budget, has been increasing member, school district, and state contributions to the California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS) over a period of years.

UTLA did not support this legisla-tion, and we share legitimate concerns that the law is overly aggressive in ad-dressing the funding shortfall and that the increased funding demands will unfairly burden employees and school districts.

Why have CalSTRS contribution rates been increasing?

Due to various factors, including the economic downturn after the 2008 stock market crash, CalSTRS has a long-term funding shortfall. If the shortfall hadn’t been addressed, it may have affected CalSTRS’s ability to pay future pension obligations. Under AB 1469, the system should be fully funded within 32 years.

What is the latest increase? Effective July 1, 2016, the amount most

employees pay in contributions (via payroll deduction) to their Defined Benefit Account increased from 9.2% to 10.25%. As state law stands now, this should be the final rate increase for employees.

When will the new higher rate affect our paychecks?

The first paycheck affected will be the one issued in August 2016 for the July 2016 pay period.

Why are there different contribution rates for employees depending on whether they were hired before or after 2013?

Legislation in 2012 made adjustments to CalSTRS plans for employees hired after 2013, including requiring them to work longer to receive full retirement benefits. Their rate of increase is lower because of that legislation.

How much more will the state and District be paying?

Currently, LAUSD contributes 10.73% of employee compensation to the CalSTRS general retirement fund. Under AB 1469, school district contributions will increase to a total of 19.1% of payroll, phased in until 2020.

The state’s contribution to the CalSTRS general fund increased to 3.45% July 2014 and will rise every July over the next couple of years until California’s total contribution is 6.33%.

Will there be further rate increases for employees after July 2016?

As the law stands now, there should not be further rate increases for employees.

Contribution rates to see another bump in July.


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pension plans creates $7.91 in total eco-nomic output for the state.

How is the CalSTRS plan different from a 401(k)?

Newer teachers and members who previously worked outside the school system may not be familiar with “defined benefit” plans, which are in-creasingly rare in the private sector. Under the defined benefit plan, CalSTRS members get a guaranteed monthly payment upon retirement. “Defined con-tribution” plans, such as 401(k)s, have no guarantee of a consistent payment in retirement and are subject to the vagaries of the stock market.

Why is a secure retirement for educators so important?

Most retired educators rely on their CalSTRS pension as their primary source of retirement security because educa-tors do not earn Social Security for their CalSTRS-covered employment. In addi-tion, teachers who previously worked in the private sector often see their Social Security benefits reduced or eliminated by the federal Social Security offsets.

Working in California public schools is a difficult, underpaid job—but one that comes with the promise of a well-fund-ed, secure retirement. Undermining that promise would have a calamitous effect on educator recruitment and retention.

School district contribution increasesSchool employer contributions will increase to a total of 19.1% of payroll by 2020.

EFFECTIVE DATE NEW RATE

July 1, 2016 12.58%

July 1, 2017 14.43%

July 1, 2018 16.28%

July 1, 2019 18.13%

July 1, 2020 19.1%

CalSTRS member contribution increasesThe contribution rate previous to July 1, 2016, was 9.2% percent.

EFFECTIVE DATE NEW RATEPre-2013 hires

NEW RATEPost-2013 hires

July 1, 2016 10.25% 9.205%

AB 1469 grants CalSTRS limited authority for setting contribution rates, and member rates are to remain fixed under statute. The CalSTRS Board will have the responsibility to adjust employer (after 2020-21) and state (after 2017-18) contributions as necessary to be 100% funded by 2046. CalSTRS must hereafter report to the legislature before July 1, 2019, and every five years thereafter until 2046 on the fiscal health of the CalSTRS Defined Benefit Account Program and the unfunded liability.

What can we say to people who say teacher pensions are a drain on the state budget?

Teachers do not retire into a life of luxury: The average monthly benefit is $3,500, and it equals 55% to 60% of an employee’s annual wage. Many people are also unaware that these pensions are not “giveaways”—CalSTRS members pay a significant portion of their salary into the system every year.

Also, California benefits greatly from retiree spending. Each $1 in taxpayer con-tributions to California’s state and local

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GRAPEVINE (continued from page 19)

up, email your contact information: name, employee number, address, cell phone, email, school, and ESC to [email protected].

Salary point class on ukuleleMusicians and non-musicians are

welcome at “Ukulele for Teachers,” taught at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena. The class is a basic introduction to ukulele, taught by LAUSD Teacher of the Year and acclaimed ukulele virtuoso Bartt Warbur-ton. Learn to use ukulele in every grade level and every content area and bring more fun into your classroom. The class meets three Saturdays, September 10, 17, and 24, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Coffee and food available for purchase. The class fee is $149. Bartt provides lessons, beginner chord/song charts, booklets, instruments (with prior arrangements), video lessons, a webpage to share ideas, and lots of support. There will be time to make lesson plans during class too. Watch videos and get details at Bartt.net. You can also email Bartt at [email protected], or call/text Bartt at (818) 568-3595.

Coding workshop at King MSWant to learn how to bring coding into

your classroom? Here’s a workshop that will help you to do just that! It is a six-hour work-shop of blended online and offline activities where teachers will not only engage in actual online puzzles but also in teaching and learn-ing about unplugged/offline activities from a printed curriculum guide. Teachers will receive free swag bags that contain water bottle, notebook, pen, and code stickers, as

well as the printed curriculum guide. Upon completion of the workshop, teachers will also receive a certificate of completion and access to requesting free supplies to teach the offline lessons. This class is limited to the first 30 people to sign up. The workshop will be held on August 9 at Thomas Starr King Middle School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To sign up: Call King Middle School at (323) 644-6700 and leave your name, or simply come on the first day.

Salary point class on “Learning About Islam and the Arab World”

Uncertain about Islam or Muslims and Arabs in America? Want to understand your Arab-American and Muslim students better? Unsure about how to present these and related issues in your classroom? In the salary point class “Learning About Islam and the Arab World,” experts on the Arab World and Islam will help you understand Arab-American culture, Islamophobia, ethnic and religious diversity, history, cultural ste-reotypes, and current political issues. Partici-pants will come away with information on teaching resources and strategies, plus guide-lines on meeting California and Common Core standards. The course meets LAUSD’s multicultural requirement for teachers and health and human services professionals. Cost is $35 (includes a continental breakfast and Middle Eastern lunch). The two-day program will take place on two Saturdays, October 8 and 15, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. in the Bernstein Professional Development Center (3303 Wilshire Blvd., 8th floor). Reg-istration information at www.fellowshipo-freconciliationla.org. For questions or late registration, email [email protected] or call (818) 748-7085.

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15

Twenty-two educators have been named LAUSD Teachers of the Year for 2016-17, honoring their innovation in the classroom and their dedication to their stu-dents. These educators represent some of the most diverse schools in the country and encompass nearly every grade level and subject area—from Advanced Placement calculus to instrumental music, computer science to filmmaking. One of last year’s LAUSD Teachers of the Year, Daniel Jocz, went on to win the California Teacher of the Year award and was one of four final-ists for the National Teacher of the Year.

The following educators will be honored in September at the Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year luncheon:

Bootsie Battle-Holt, a mathematics teacher at Marina Del Rey Middle School, has been teaching for 10 years.

Israel Bautista, a United States history teacher at El Sereno Middle School, has been teaching for 10 years.

Monique Brusca, an instrumental music teacher at Christopher Columbus Middle School, has been teaching for 22 years.

Marcella Deboer, an English teacher from Cesar Chavez Learning Academy, has been teaching for 17 years.

Maria Debuque, a second-grade teacher at Vena Avenue Elementary School, has been teaching for 20 years.

Natalie Elliott, a fifth-grade teacher at 92nd Street Elementary School, has been teaching for 10 years.

Accolades

Contract vote results

22 educators named LAUSD Teachers of the Year.

UTLA members approve student-focused contract agreement.

Shannon Garrison, a fourth- and fifth-grade teacher at Solano Avenue Elemen-tary School, has been teaching for 19 years.

Tracy Elchyshyn, a third-grade teacher at Calabash Charter Academy, has been teaching for 23 years.

Tricia Kalma, a fifth-grade teacher at Porter Ranch Community School, has been teaching for 11 years.

Isela Lieber, an English teacher at James Monroe High School, has been teaching for 10 years.

Gabriela Mancilla-Angulo, a mathematics teacher at South East Senior High School, has been teaching for 16 years.

Grace Nimnualrat, a first-grade teacher at San Antonio Elementary School, has been teaching for 16 years.

Mirna Orellana, a Spanish teacher at Manual Arts High School, has been teach-ing for 20 years.

Diana Rivera, a transitional kindergarten to third-grade teacher at Granada Elemen-tary Community Charter School, has been teaching for 13 years.

Milca Ruz, a second-grade teacher at Garvanza Elementary School, has been teaching for 20 years.

Gabriela Spilman, a fourth-grade du-al-language English-Spanish teacher at Aldama Elementary School, has been teaching for 12 years.

Michelle Touceda, an English teacher at South Gate High School, has been teaching for 16 years.

Hector Verduzco, a computer science teacher at Esteban Torres High School, has been teaching for nine years.

Matthew Waynee, a cinematic arts teacher at LAUSD/USC Cinematic Arts and Engineering Magnet, has been teach-ing for 20 years.

Amber Willis, a science teacher at Down-town Magnets High School, has been teaching for 15 years.

Anthony Yom, a mathematics teacher at Abraham Lincoln High School, has been teaching for 11 years.

Brenda Young, an English teacher at John R. Wooden High School, has been teaching for 15 years.

To submit news for “Accolades”: Email details and photos to [email protected].

With a strong majority of members voting, UTLA members approved the contract agreement reached in “reopener” bargaining with LAUSD, with 97% voting yes and 3% voting no. Voting took place online as well as at school sites from June 1 to 3. The ballots were counted at the UTLA building on June 4.

Yes ......................................... 97%No .......................................... 3%Total ballots cast: ................ 17,466

The agreement was approved by the LAUSD School Board on June 14. UTLA and LAUSD will be back in bargaining in 2016-2017 for another round of limited-scope “reopeners” and in 2017-2018 for the full contract renewal and health benefits negotiations.


16

By Mignon JacksonUTLA-R Secretary

President’s report: Betty Forrester, UTLA/AFT vice president and AFT Local 1021 president, announced the awarding of the CFT Ben Rust Award to our own UTLA-R President John Perez at this year’s CFT Convention in San Francisco. This award is the most prestigious honor that the federation bestows upon its members or friends. The award honors an AFT member for his or her commitment and involvement in education, politics, and the trade union movement.

The UTLA-R president then announced the Steering Committee’s decision to add one additional meeting to the 2016-2017 UTLA-R General Assembly calendar for a total of five. The dates for the meetings are: August 26, 2016; October 14, 2016; January 20, 2017; March 17, 2017; and May 19, 2017.

Treasurer’s report: UTLA-R Treasurer Mike Dreebin reported that $30,979 remains in the budget. He stated that two additional UTLA-R alternates will be funded to attend the NEA-Retired Annual Meeting at the NEA Representa-tive Assembly in Washington, D.C. He also reminded UTLA-R members that they must obtain a UTLA-R reimburse-ment form from him to have expenses reimbursed if they attend conferences.

Retirees’ corner

Note from UTLA-R President

Report of the May 20 General Assembly Meeting.

Health benefits report: Loretta Toggen-burger reviewed health benefits FAQs from the LAUSD Health Benefits Committee that addressed “Does your prescription need prior authorization?” She spoke about the kinds of drugs that required authorization.

PACE report: UTLA-R Vice President Cecelia Boskin reported that current membership is more than 4,000. She also stated that UTLA-R members have contributed more than $2,000 to UTLA PACE so far this year. UTLA-R members were also reminded that their participa-tion in the UTLA political process is still vital and contributions can be mailed to Cecelia Boskin, 3547 Federal Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90066. Please remember to invite other retirees you know to join UTLA-R.

Legislative report: Mary Rose Ortega, our legislative chair, presented the leg-islative update. She briefly discussed the impact proposed legislation would have on the many aspects of retiree life and benefits. The November ballot will include a proposition (Proposition 55) that will extend the provisions of Propo-sition 30 for an additional 12 years and include provisions that are supportive of public education and students and their families.

Guest speakers: Rigo Reyes, chief investigator/mediator program su-pervisor, and Maritza Gutierrez from the L.A. County Department of Con-sumer and Business Affairs presented information from that department. The topics included: consumer scams, telemarketing fraud, elder financial abuse, consumer contracts, real estate scams, crimes of affinity, and identity thief. They also spoke about mediation services and the range of volunteer service positions that the public can fill to help members of the commu-nity. They shared that retired educators

are suitable candidates for mediators based on their previous experiences and their people skills. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs at (800) 593-8222 or online at www.dcba.lacounty.gov.

A special thank you to Tomas Junge and his group for preparing the wonderful brunch at our General Assembly meetings: Virginia Pratt, Lupe Vallery, Bill Miller, Frances Wil-liams, Hattie McFrazier, Jim DeSalvo, Norma Pesqueira, and Sarita Bryson.

By John PerezUTLA-Retired President

More on Silver Script: Questions were asked and answered at a recent Health Benefits Committee meeting regarding the continuing issue of the change from CVS to Silver Script for our members in the Anthem plans. We were told that the company has the right to periodically change its formulary and that when the formulary changes, prices can go up. The formulary is a list of the medications that the carrier allows its doctors to prescribe to treat various conditions. I was given two numbers for our members to call if they have questions concerning their pre-scriptions under Silver Script. The number to reach the Silver Script people is (844) 819-3075 and the number to reach people at the District who understand the issue is (213) 241-4262.

Social Security safe for the next 75 years? A recent report by the Social Se-curity Board of Trustees said that with the current system, Social Security is 100% funded for the next 18 years, 95% funded for the next 25 years, and 84% funded for the next 75 years. What this means is that if nothing is done, start-ing in 2034 Social Security pensions will drop to 95% of their value. In a recent Pew poll taken during the primary season, we learned that supporters of all Presidential candidates of both major parties, by majorities ranging from 62% to 73%, don’t want Social Security ben-efits reduced. The easiest way to fully fund Social Security for the next 75 years is to eliminate the cap on income subject to the Social Security tax. Unlike the income tax, income above $118,500 is not subject to the Social Security tax. Fully funding Social Security for the fore-seeable future would take an amount equal to only 0.95% of America’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). After 9/11, military spending went up, almost over-night, by 1.1% of GDP, and when us Baby Boomers showed up for school, spending on education nationwide went up 2.8% of GDP between 1950 and 1975. Social Security is often the only retire-ment income for millions of seniors, and it keeps millions out of poverty.

The richest nation in the history of the world can, and should, fully fund and expand Social Security benefits.

Prop. 30 extension: The petition drive to extend Proposition 30 has been suc-cessful, and it will be on the November ballot as Proposition 55. This exten-sion drops the sales tax increase from Proposition 30, but keeps the higher income tax rates for people who make over $250,000. UTLA will be mounting a major effort to get Prop. 55 passed, and UTLA-Retired members can play an important role.

President increases number of workers eligible for overtime pay: The Obama administration recently increased from $23,660 to $47,476 the salary threshold for overtime pay. The lower amount has been adjusted only once since 1975, when the limit made 60% of workers eligible for time and a half for work over 40 hours per week. Before the change by President Obama, only 7% of the country’s workers qualified for overtime, but the change will make an additional 12.5 million workers eligible for overtime pay.

The cost of teacher attrition: Every year thousands of new teachers begin what they hope will be a lifetime career, a career that we found rewarding. But we know that in the first five years of teaching, something close to 50% of new teachers will transfer schools or quit our profes-sion. Penn University Professor Richard Ingersoll has studied this revolving door problem and he says it costs school dis-tricts across the country upward of $2.2 billion a year to hire and train new replace-ments. Dr. Ingersoll says that if school districts used just a portion of that money on authentic mentoring and support pro-grams for new teachers, the attrition rate could be drastically cut and more new teachers would become career teachers.

If you want to have your name added to our UTLA-R email Alert List, send your email address to [email protected]. If you want to make a donation to PACE, send your check to Cecelia Boskin at 3547 Federal Ave., L.A., CA 90066. Perez can be reached at [email protected].


17

By Eric YoungUTLA Pre-Retirement Issues Committee Chair

If you have worked in LAUSD long enough, you have probably received at least one phishing email from someone offering to counsel you on your retirement plan. You also may have encountered insurance, annuity, or 403(b) vendors on your campus. What you may not realize is that there is a District bulletin that clearly prohibits these vendors from soliciting you on campus or by email.

In 2003, the District published bulletin BUL-6178.0: Employee Unions, Associ-ations, and Organizations, Solicitations and Sale of Merchandise, and Use of School Mail. This bulletin prohibits insurance, annuity, or 403(b) vendors from using District email or coming on District property to sell their products. This prohibition also extends to presenta-tions on “retirement, personal finance, or insurance” since this is often just a disguised way to get on campus and sell products. (You can find a link to the bulletin at http://home.lausd.net/apps/news/article/333851.)

Official representatives from CalPERS, CalSTRS, and the LAUSD 457(b) plan are the only groups this bulletin allows on campus. CalPERS and CalSTRS seem logical since they can provide informa-

Insurance, annuity, or 403(b) vendors are prohibited from soliciting educators on campus or by email.

Vendors on campus: Who is not allowed?

tion and presentations on retirement benefits for District employees, and the LAUSD 457(b) representatives are permitted on campus for a reason that deserves a short explanation.

LAUSD has a Retirement Invest-ment Advisory Committee (RIAC) that includes oversight of the LAUSD 457(b) plan as part of its role. UTLA is part of the oversight committee, with myself the representative. Every quarter the RIAC committee looks at the investment performance of the funds in the 457(b) plan and adds or removes funds as needed to support the investment objectives for the plan. The committee also works to ensure that costs in the LAUSD 457(b) are kept as low as possible. When you invest in the LAUSD 457(b) plan, you can be confident that all of the funds have been vetted by RIAC and offer some of the lowest costs available in their fund class. This is not always the

case with a 403(b) plan.Costs vary widely in the world of 403(b)

plans. Many are reasonably priced and offer a good choice for supplemental re-tirement savings. The problem is there are also 403(b) plans that charge high account fees, and some have “surrender” charges that are beyond reason. The District has little to no oversight with 403(b) choices, and this is the reason why the bulletin prohibits 403(b) vendors from coming on campus or using District emails. The bul-letin tries to prevent District employees from exposure to salesmen peddling these products that might have unreasonable fees and/or other charges.

Be aware and notify your chapter chair if you see any of these vendors on your campus or receive any email that offers products or advice on your retirement. Chapter chairs can take concerns to UTLA Treasurer Arlene Inouye ([email protected]), who will follow up with the District and the vendors.

1.2512-month Share Certificate (CD)

%APY*

0.50on a liquid savings account

Earn up to%APY**

Share your school’s good news!Send details on awards, honors, special events, and great schoolwide programs

to [email protected].


18

How To Place Your UT Classified Ad Print your ad from your computer or use a typewriter. If you’re us-ing the coupon below, please print clearly. Count the number of words in your ad. Area code and telephone number count as one word. Email and web address count as one word. Street address counts as one word. City and state, including zip code, count as one word. Abbreviations and numbers are considered words and are charged individually. The classified ad rate is $1.50 per word for each time your ad runs (there is no charge for LAUSD job share/employment 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 more than one issue, multiply the one-time total by the number of issues you wish the ad to appear. We have a ten word minimum ($15). All ads are payable in advance by check or money order. Please make check payable to UTLA. The deadline to receive your classified ad at the UTLA Communications Dept. is noon on the Monday that falls two weeks prior to the publication date. Any questions? Call (213) 637-5173.

CLASSIFIED AD COPY FOR UNITED TEACHER PUBLISHING

_____ August 19 (due date: Aug. 1) _____ September 16 (due date: Aug. 29)

Name:

Street Address:

City: State: ZIP:

Ad Copy: Attach your typed copy to this form or print clearly here:

Total number of words: _____ @ $1.50 = $_________ per run date

Number of run dates ____ X $____ each run date = $_______

No credits or refunds on canceled ads. Mail with payment to UNITED TEACHER Classifieds,

UTLA, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Ads may also be dropped off at this address.

UTLA ClassifiedsCLASSIFIED 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.

Job share needed for the 2016-17 school year. I am

open to different schedules, including half-day or

one semester on/one off. Prefer lower grades. Be-

lieve would have to move to your school. BCLAD

Spanish/experienced. Live in Echo Park and would

prefer something in UTLA North Area. Contact Elaine

at (323) 240-7004 or [email protected].

Job share partner needed for the 2016-2017 spring

semester to teach the ETK program at a small

neighborhood elementary school in the West Val-

ley. Looking for a partner with approved RWL sta-

tus. Pre-K experience preferred. Contact Silvana at

(818) 523-4778/[email protected].

Job share partner wanted for the 2016-2017 and

beyond. (The deadline is April 15.) I have a special

education preschool classroom (PALs) open to a

split schedule at my school or your school, pref-

erably South or West local district. I have 10 plus

years of teaching special education/general edu-

cation preschool Contact Leah: (310) 916-6229 or

[email protected].

Kindergarten P.M. job share position at my school in

Mission Hills for fall 2016. I have five years of job share

experience. Please contact Amy at (818) 269-7244.

Looking for a job share partner for 2016-2017 RSY;

fantastic school in Tarzana (NW District); split week

or afternoons; mild/moderate credential. Leave

message at (818) 508-7343. Deadline for 2016-

2017 school year is approaching.

I’m looking for a job share partner for Spring Se-

mester or S.Y. 2016-2017 at your school, prefer-

ably South or East local district. I have 17 years

of teaching experience in Elementary General Ed.

(562) 291-8038.

LAUSD POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Saturn Street Elementary is looking for a fifth-

grade teacher who works well in a collaborative

environment. Applicants should be willing to work

as part of a team, creating a Common Core cur-

riculum that is filled with technology, differenti-

ated instruction, and project-based learning. As

a member of the team, applicants will engage

in extra-curricular activities for the fifth grade

students. Applicants should be flexible and in-

terested in creating life-long learners. Interested

applicants please contact Tiffany Cullen at Saturn

Street (323) 931-1688.

Lawrence Gifted Magnet seeks a full-time Eng-

lish teacher for the 2016-2017 school year. Must

have experience teaching gifted students and re-

cord of current gifted professional development

hours. Single subject English and/or multiple

subject credential considered. Please email cover

letter, resume, and letters of recommendation to

[email protected].

Lawrence Gifted Magnet seeks a full-time Sci-

ence teacher for the 2016-2017 school year. Must

have experience teaching gifted students and re-

cord of current gifted professional development

hours. Single subject Science and/or multiple

subject credential considered. Please email cover

letter, resume, and letters of recommendation to

[email protected].

GARAGE SALE

Garage Sale. Retired, 3rd grade teacher. July 30-

31, and August 6. 11520 Wyoming Avenue, West

Los Angeles, CA 90025. 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. su-

[email protected].

HOME BUYING

Educators home buyer’s down payment assistance

program orientation RSVP @ (800) 667-7695.

LAUSD EMPLOYMENT

Job share/employment

available ads in LAUSD

employment section are FREE.

JOB SHARE

Seeking a long-term sub for 3 months starting

January 2017. I teach 6th grade science and 7th

grade health. Great school in Sherman Oaks. Prefer

someone tech savvy who can use Google Class-

room to collaborate with me while I’m overseas in

India on a Fulbright award. Please contact Garry at

(310) 487-7336 or [email protected].

Job share position wanted in the Local District

Northwest, for 2016-2017 or 2017-2018 school

year, at a school: 6th grade Science or Math: split

week. Also open to do job share at your school. I

have both multiple subject and single subject math

credential. I have 9 years of teaching experience.

Contact Grace at (818) 429-2888.

Interested in job sharing a PLTW teaching posi-

tion for 2016-2017. Like to be at a school within

12 miles of Long Beach. Call or text (562) 977-

7721, [email protected].

Looking for an enthusiastic teacher to job share

partner in my 4th grade class at Crestwood Elemen-

tary School in the South, spring semester, 2017.

Please call Jennifer Roberts at (310) 832-8130.

I am seeking a teacher partner that would like

to job share at their school site (LD Central or

East) for spring 2017 and beyond. I have been a

Special Education teacher for 11 years and took

a leave of absence for fall 2016 because I was

unable to find a job share opportunity before the

April 15, 2016, deadline. This time, I am post-

ing my own classified ad in hopes of finding a

position before the new deadline November 15,

2016 (for spring 2017 placement). I have a dou-

ble Ed. Sp. credential and have taught SDC (m/m

and m/s), a few years in RSP both at the middle

school level and ESY. I taught upper elementa-

ry (4-6) the 2015- 2016 school year and loved

that change. If you are considering job sharing,

please contact me at [email protected]. I

will respond ASAP.

I am looking for a job share partner. I teach middle

school, the moderate to severe class. I am interest-

ed in sharing the week. I work at a fantastic school

in the city of Bell. Looking to start 2016-2017 school

year. Contact: Claudia (626) 230-8258.

Patrick Henry Academy of Performing and Visual

Arts Magnet (located in Granada Hills) is seeking

highly qualified applicants with a P.E. Credential

who also have an extensive dance background.

The expectation is that dance will be the vehicle

by which the P.E. content standards are delivered.

Passionate, enthusiastic dancers who meet this cri-

teria, please email a cover letter with your resume to

Lucinda Burton at [email protected].

Various positions are open and available for quali-

fied teachers at Birmingham Community Charter

High School. Join a vibrant community of educa-

tors at BCCHS. Apply on EdJoin.org

William J. Johnston Community Day School is

accepting applications for a full-time science/

technology teacher. Those interested should send

letter of intent, resume summarizing experience,

and letters of recommendation to: Barbara Politz,

Johnston CDS, 2210 N. Taper Ave, San Pedro, CA

90731 or email to Barbara Politz blp2505@lausd.

net or fax to (310) 832-7914.


19

U N I T E D T E A C H E R

GRAPEVINECalling all third-grade teachers: Participate in a research study

“Creative Experiential Professional De-velopment” uses third-grade standards across the curriculum. Immerse yourself in a two-day, 15-hour experience including seven integrated lessons to explore ELA, Math, History, Science, Dance, Music, Theatre Arts, Visual Arts, Health, and Technology. Spend two days using Multiple Intelligences, cre-ativity, technology, and culturally responsive materials and resources to integrate and “UNcommon” the Common Core.

This research is part of a dissertation for a Ph.D. candidate who has taught for 18 years in LAUSD. She is a National Board certified teacher and an elementary theatre teacher. This project is the study of the potential for including creativity and the arts in experiential differentiated PD. It intends to understand the view of the teachers to improve PD. This salary point class also requires a 25-minute online Multiple Intelligence assessment at home before the lesson series. There are 30 hours of homework including a questionnaire (2.5 hours), a lesson plan (10 hours), and a choice between nine other differentiated creative assignments. They range from 2.5 to 10 hours each. Pick your favorites to complete the last 17.5 hours. This one

point salary class has limited space and is on a first come, first served basis.

Date: Monday, August 8, and Tuesday, August 9

Time: 8:00 am to 4:30 p.m. Location: The Delta Center Conference

Room (52nd Street Elementary School, 816 W. 51st St., Los Angeles, CA 90037)

Register on the Learning Zone: Course Number: 55-11-788

Researcher: Raissa White, [email protected]

Workshop on Essential Questions and Curriculum Mapping

NBCTs Selena Stewart and Linda Guthrie will be leading a workshop on Essential Questions and Curriculum Mapping. This class will focus on devel-oping deep-thinking questions—thought-provoking questions where the answer is not certain and can’t only be framed with the content students are learning. These questions transcend the content as student answers will change as they gain life experiences and new knowledge. The questions are meant to create thinkers. The first day of the workshop, participants will be creating essential questions as the basis for units of study and/or for a whole semester of study. The second day will be

devoted to curriculum mapping to for-mulate a plan of lessons to answer the essential questions. The workshop will be held on August 10 and 11 at Thomas Starr King Middle School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.. To sign up: Call King Middle School at (323) 644-6700 and leave your name, or simply come on the first day.

Salary point class on “Cars and Stars”

Earn salary points and expand your knowledge of local history by enrolling in “Cars and Stars: L.A.’s Transforma-tion Into a Metropolis.” Participants will visit the Petersen Automotive Museum and the Paley Center for Media and take a walking tour of L.A.’s Union Station. This District-approved class is open to all K-12 educators and is worth two salary points. It will also expose participants to resources and Common Core-based strate-gies that can supplement their teaching. Class will meet at Francis Polytechnic High on August 13, 20, and 27, and September 10, 2016. From Francis Polytechnic High, participants will commute to the three locations (one each class day, except for September 10). The course fee is $175 for two units, preregistered ($185 on the first day), which includes breakfast, materials,

and museum admissions. Enrollments will be accepted until—and including—the first day of class (August 13), or until cap is reached, whichever happens first. For further information, email: [email protected], visit www.en4ed.com, or call/text Larry Carstens at (818) 645-4259.

Peak Performance Practices workshop for academics and sports

Learn a wide variety of peak performance practices to apply for teaching your K-12 students. Class time will be spent in apply-ing the skills learned in class for teaching your students. The 30 hours outside class will be in applying this class experience for yourself and your teaching/coaching. Learn brain energizers, whole brain learning modalities, concentration techniques, whole body fitness practices, stress reducers, and so much more for the K-12 classroom and/or for the sporting arena and your personal life. One salary point available. When: Five Wednesdays, August 31, September 7, 14, 21, 28, 2016. Where: Van Nuys Middle School, 5435 Vesper Ave., Sherman Oaks, CA 91411. Cost: $150 (please bring cash or check). In-structor: Kurt Krueger, NBCT. Call, text, or email for more info: (818) 399-0771, [email protected]. To sign

Quality, research based content in the areas of California Content

Standards, ELA & Mathematics, and Student Mental Wellness

created and tailored for today’s K-12 instructors. All courses are

UTLA/LAUSD approved by the Salary Point Committee.

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.

REGISTER NOW@ teachstar.lacoe.edu

LOVE2LEARNUSE PROMO CODE

SESSIONS BEGIN JUNE 10, 2016Registration deadline is June 3, 2016/*Discount does not apply to VPSS courses

THROUGH THE ENTIRE SCHOOL YEAR, GET $20 OFF PER COURSE...UNLIMITED!

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(continued on page 14)

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1. Primary residence only. Proof of employment at a California public or private school is required. Standard underwriting guidelines apply. Discounts for purchases only.2. Must be eligible for membership at CCU. 3. One per calendar year. APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Max term of 12 months. Estimated 12 monthly payments per $1500 borrowed is $125. Rate reflects direct deposit of $1,000.00 or more in

a CCU account prior to loan funding and automatic payments at signing. 4. APY = Annual Percentage Yield is subject to change without notice. Rate reflects monthly direct deposit into the summer savings account of $50 – $2,000 and can only be made via direct deposit or payroll

deduction. Total deposits must not exceed $2,000 per month ($24,000 per year) (July 1 – June 30). The Credit Union will distribute the balance of the account in July via transfer into a CCU account. 5. Members who skip summer payments will see an increase in the monthly payment amount. Available on all loans except share plus, credit card and share/certificate secured and mortgage loans.Member must be in good standing with California Credit Union. Offers subject to change without notice.

Award-Winning Newspaper of United Teachers Los Angeles ... July 2016...Award-Winning Newspaper of...

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