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Among those giving Phil Angelides a standing ovation at CTA's Summer Institute are CTA President Brabara E. Kerr, Executive Director Carolyn Doggett, Vice President David A. Sanchez and Secretary-Treasurer Dean E. Vogel. |
“If you listen to the political pundits, Phil Angelides doesn’t have a chance” in this fall’s gubernatorial election, said CTA President Barbara E. Kerr as she addressed participants at CTA’s Summer Institute.
But then, she added, “last year the political pundits said we didn’t have a chance either. But we did! So does Phil.”
Kerr reminded teachers that Angelides has always been a friend of public education and that he has defended Proposition 98 guarantees for education funding, advocated moving education spending in California above the “national average” and fought for pensions that allow teachers to retire with dignity. She also pointed out that Angelides has supported public education and teachers without being asked.
“When the governor refused to pay back the money he owed to public schools, Phil Angelides didn’t wait to be invited to help us,” said Kerr. “He said, ‘This is wrong,’ because he knew it was wrong. When Schwarzenegger raised tuition at the colleges and universities, it was Angelides who stood in support of the students and faculty. He did this because California’s students, colleges and teachers are the hope for our future.
”California needs to be at the top in education,” continued Kerr. “Angelides believes we need to recruit and retain the best and most qualified teachers” and he’s prepared to do something about it.
Ultimately, said Kerr, her goal is to send the current governor back to Hollywood and bring back the joy of teaching and learning.
Kerr, who jokingly calls herself the “election resident” because there have been so many elections during her two terms, called upon fellow teachers to help her out “one more time, for one more election” by electing Angelides governor in November.
“We need a governor who won’t need to be sued to keep his promise to schools in California,” she said. “We need Phil Angelides.”
At that point, Angelides was ushered into the room. He was welcomed with a standing ovation from more 600 teachers who packed the ballroom and an “overflow room” where other Summer Institute participants watched the event on television.
Angelides reassured the crowd that he’s not lacking in “charisma” and that he has what it takes “to beat a global action hero.”
It is no longer enough, said Angelides, for California to settle for being average. “It’s time to build the right kind of California, a California that gives the opportunity for success to everyone. We need a governor who will stand up for quality health care for every child in America, not one who stands up for the HMOs. We need a governor who will work for quality public education — a governor who will stand up for the rights of every individual in California.
Angelides also launched a counter offensive against Schwarzenegger’s campaign ad, which depicts Angelides “moonwalking” while a narrator accuses him of wanting to take the state backwards.
“Does he mean I’ll take us back to when we had the most affordable community colleges, state colleges and universities in the world?” he asked. “To a time when you could work 30 years at your job, and at the end of your labor, you could retire with dignity? If that’s what Arnold means, I’ll gladly take us back.”
Contributors include Judy Morrison, president of the Teachers Association of Paramount; Diane Gulley, Teachers Association of Long Beach; Joia Jones, Kern High Faculty Association; and Nancy McMurdie, Livermore Teachers Association. All were participants in the Communications Strand at CTA’s Summer Institute.
