The 2008 CTA ESP of the Year is Michael Musser, a carpenter from Ventura Unified School District. Michael serves as NEA ESP-at-Large Director, and is very involved in the Ventura Classified Employees Association.
Michael has been employed by VUSD since 1996, working with the Facilities Services Department. Michael is not assigned to one site but to all district work sites and campuses that need carpentry repairs or new construction in order to maintain a safe working and learning environment. Noteworthy projects he has been involved with are building cabinetry for the district's mobile computer classroom and constructing ramps, altering door openings and creating furniture for special needs students.
As a local Association leader, Michael has advanced the quality public education agenda by speaking before the Chamber of Commerce, Personnel Commission, and School Board, attending local and state rallies and visiting Congressional representatives locally and in Washington, DC. He has also supported and campaigned for education-friendly school board candidates. As a representative on the Tri County Education Coalition, Michael has been instrumental in organizing speaker panels, press conferences and Sacramento Lobby days.
He has participated in letter-writing campaigns and phone banking for the defeat of anti-education initiatives. Michael has helped develop alliances with other community and labor groups, such as the Grocery Workers when they were on strike. His daily activities include engaging community members in conversations concerning the obstacles and needs of public education.
In his local, state and national leadership positions, Michael has represented Education Support Professionals in a positive light. Locally, as Grievance Chair, he helps protect the contractual rights of Association members. As a member of the Negotiations team, he helps draft a fair and equitable contract for all members. As Site Rep and Director, he shares the knowledge and listens to all members' concerns.
Working with fellow members, Michael used his carpentry and organizational skills to help construct floats representing the Ventura Classified Employees Association in several Ventura County Fair parades.
Annually, Michael participates in the district's “Cheers for Children” drive by collecting and sorting donated food and making financial donations. Michael organizes, collects and delivers donations for the “Rain Project,” a program that offers help to community members that have temporarily become homeless. Michael contributes to the Ventura County Food Bank and the annual Postal Employee Food Collection Drive.
He is the recipient of his local “WHO” award, Certificate of Appreciation from Channel Islands Service Center Council and a graduate of the CAL ESP Leadership Development Academy.
Michael is most happy when assisting others in helping themselves. He believes in the Iron Rule, “Do not do for others what they can do for themselves.” The strength of an individual is multiplied when united together as a collective family of educators, creating a safe and equitable working and learning environment for all. Michael lives this attitude every day.