CTA conference recognizes human rights advocates

"Diversity Makes ALL the Difference" was the theme of CTA's Equity and Human Rights Conference, held Feb. 28-March 2 in Burlingame. The following CTA members were honored at the event as Human Rights Awards recipients:

CTA Chapter Human Rights Award - The Fontana Teachers Association was honored for its efforts to promote human rights among its members and the community through exemplary activities and training in areas like women's leadership, high risk students and special education.

CTA Member Human Rights Award - Lynette Tanaka, a member of the Sacramento City Teachers Association and chair of the NEA Human Rights Committee, was honored for her advocacy and good deeds. She has helped to raise thousands of dollars for children living in poverty. At the same time, she has actively recruited minority members into CTA leadership positions through the association's Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee (EMAC).

American Indian/Alaska Native Human Rights Award - Helen Doherty, a member of the Charter Oak Educators Association, was honored for her work with members of the Morongo Nation, who have promoted human rights through Kudos For Kids Foundation projects. She is assisting with workshops on tribal lands to help Native Americans develop skills to improve their quality of life. In addition, she has worked to ensure that California's textbooks reflect the true history of native people.

César Chávez 'Si Se Puede' Human Rights Award - Keith Ballard, a member of the Sweetwater Education Association, was honored for persuading schools to provide band classes in mariachi music for high school students.

Lois Tinson Human Rights Award - Gladys Williams, a member of the Modesto Teachers Association, was honored for her work to promote tolerance. In conjunction with her chapter and the community, she developed a highly successful program entitled "Not in Our Town." She also led an educational summit for parents and students who are regularly discriminated against in school and in the workplace.

Nancy Bailey Leadership in Lesbian and Gay Issues Human Rights Award - Pat Terrell, a member of Associated Chaffey Teachers, was honored for her work as a trainer for workshops like "Breaking the Silence." As the human rights chair of her chapter, she has worked closely with the bargaining team to encourage contract language addressing domestic partner issues. (Pat Terrell was unable to accept her award in person.)

Pacific Asian American Human Rights Award - Cliff Kusaba, president of the Teachers Association of Long Beach and co-chair of EMAC, was honored for raising the awareness level of CTA members to the concerns of Asian/Pacific Islanders. He was the driving force behind three successful conferences that focused on the history, the struggles and the present-day concerns of the Asian/Pacific Islander community.

Physically/Mentally Challenged Students' Issues Human Rights Award - Elizabeth Castagnera, a member of the Grossmont Education Association, and Karen vonFelten, Fresno County Schools Office Education Association, were co-winners. Castagnera was honored for her advocacy work in getting curriculum modified so that special needs students could be included in general education classes. Karen vonFelten was honored for her work with the Fresno County Office of Education in developing the adult transition program at CSU-Fresno, as well as other county special education programs. She has developed programs and techniques that have been accepted as "best practices" by her colleagues.

The conference at the San Francisco Airport Marriott included numerous workshops on topics addressing human rights and equity. Sessions dealt with such subjects as males as positive forces in the lives of students; a legal perspective on what educators need to know about hate crimes; making curriculum accessible to students with handicaps; diversity in spiritual contexts; the effects of domestic violence on children; ways to combat prejudice; and incorporating multicultural literacy strategies.