We Can’t Wait!
Invest in the schools our students deserve
Celebrate 2026 California Day of the Teacher, National School Nurse Day and CTA Education Support Professionals Day
All students deserve a well-rounded, joyful education in well-resourced, safe and stable schools. This means access to qualified educators, counselors, nurses and mental health professionals for every student. This also means smaller class sizes and caseloads, and pay and benefits for educators that match the essential role they play in our society.
To achieve these conditions, our union is fighting to fully fund our schools — now. After decades of disinvestment, we simply can’t wait any longer. We are demanding that our legislators and policymakers invest in the schools our students deserve.
Important Dates
“We Can’t Wait!” is the ongoing campaign to make this happen. It is the theme of the enclosed poster honoring:
- National School Nurse Day (May 6)
- 2026 California Day of the Teacher (May 13)
- CTA ESP Day (May 19)
Ways to Celebrate
Here are a few ways you can celebrate at your school:
- Put up the poster in your classroom, school hallway or other public area.
- Join your local chapter’s celebrations and attend upcoming union meetings and actions.
- Use hashtags in school and chapter social media: #DayoftheTeacher, #SchoolNurseDay and #ESPDay.
The We Can’t Wait campaign has seen educators and many of our locals involved in strikes and other actions to win the public schools our students deserve. Art has been central to these beautiful and powerful actions.
Download the Poster
About the Artist
The poster is by Sacramento-based artist Franceska Gamez. “When we invest in teachers and schools, we are nurturing possibility, imagination and the future we all share,” Gamez stated regarding her poster art.
Gamez is one of several artists who have created artwork for the We Can’t Wait campaign. Their visuals are being used to support educators as they demand meaningful change for their students and schools. To view and order campaign posters, visit the We Can’t Wait page.
Day of the Teacher Archives
California Day of the Teacher theme: “California Public Schools: Home to All Students.” The theme also acknowledges the critical role of public schools in California communities as welcoming places for all.
CTA’s 2024 Day of the Teacher theme: “California Educators: United for Our Students.” The theme recognizes educators’ extraordinary work with students in schools across the state and their vital role in growing and mentoring the next generation of educators.
Download the Poster
CTA’s 2023 Day of the Teacher Poster
Oakland-based artist and social justice activist Favianna Rodriguez created this year’s poster. The poster is also featured in the April/May 2023 California Educator magazine.
Show your appreciation for educators by downloading and sharing the poster with your other educators, students, and community!
Hear from the Artist and Download More Materials
Watch this short video of artist Favianna Rodriguez explaining her inspiration behind the poster.
For Teachers to Use With Students
See samples of Favianna’s work, as well as instructions on how to make a social justice poster. Included is a link to her poster-making video as well as a PDF of separate art elements you can download and print out for students to use. Click here !
Watch Day of the Teacher videos on our union’s YouTube channel.