Robert Rodriguez
San Bernardino Teachers Association
Resource specialist
“I attended the workshop on professional compensation and teacher incentive funding. I learned different ways we can attract and retain employees at high-priority schools. Incentive grants are not to be confused with merit pay. High-priority schools have hard- to-staff positions. What this workshop talked about was how to retain veteran teachers in our schools of greatest need. This is something locals can bargain for with their local school district.”
Cindy Crawford
San Lorenzo Education Association
Fifth-grade teacher
“I took the workshop here on issues and organizing. We learned how to determine the issue, and then from there go forward to develop your goals, objectives and tactics. The letters G.O.S.T. are the key to organizing. They stand for goals, objectives, strategy and tactics. A lot of people go immediately to their tactics. You need to work back and determine what the issue is and then develop your goals and objectives.”
Catherine Proctor
United Teachers Los Angeles
Third-grade teacher
“I went to the conversation with author Diane Ravitch. Unfortunately, L.A. Unified is going through the process of opening itself up to privatization. Everything that she’s talking about and concerned about is part of our current reality. Frankly, it’s frightening. Being with her was empowering. She gave us some ideas of how to protect our schools. It gave me tools to bring back to my local.”