State Council of Education set a path for CTA’s future at its meeting this weekend, electing a team of officers to lead more than 310,000 California educators in the fight for the schools all students deserve.

Members elected David Goldberg and Leslie Littman to lead CTA as the next president and vice president, respectively. In January, Erika Jones was elected as the next CTA secretary-treasurer. Goldberg currently serves as CTA vice president, Littman as secretary-treasurer and Jones sits on the CTA Board of Directors. The leadership team will take office on June 26 and serve two-year terms.

CTA President-elect David Goldberg

“Students and their needs are at the center of everything we do as educators and union leaders. It’s a core value that drives the work we do in our schools and colleges and at the bargaining table. As a veteran educator and long-time union activist, I’ve learned that to get things done, there must be bottom-up participation and decision-making by educators across our classrooms and communities,” President-elect Goldberg said. “I am humbled by the support of our union. Leslie, Erika and I stand ready to create opportunities for educators and families, confront the challenges ahead and put it all on the line for all California students.”

CTA President E. Toby Boyd, who will leave office on June 25 after serving four years at the helm, congratulated the incoming officers and said their combined passion, commitment and knowledge of the teaching profession will serve the union well.

“At a time when corporate special interests and anti-public education forces are actively trying to undermine educators, truth in history and the safety of LGBTQ+ students, I know this leadership team is ready to tackle the challenges ahead and remain focused on providing all students with the resources and support they need for the quality education they deserve.”

It was a business-packed meeting, held at the Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles, with State Council reviewing and taking positions on more than 300 bills currently winding their way through the California Legislature. In his report to State Council, President Boyd thanked members for all their efforts to support students, build the union and work for a more just society.

“We’re all part of something big! Something bigger than ourselves,” Boyd said. “We’re all part of a long line of disrupters who have been doing this righteous work for the sake of students, educators and working families all throughout California.”

CTA President E. Toby Boyd

The meeting had a palpable buzz and energy following the three-day strike last week by SEIU Local 99 (which represents educational support professionals) at Los Angeles Unified School District. The 30,000 members of United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) honored the picket line in an inspiring show of solidarity resulting in a tentative agreement for SEIU Local 99 on Friday.

“When 30,000 UTLA members refuse to cross a picket line in support of their colleagues, they raise the bar on what solidarity means for all of us,” CTA Executive Director Joe Boyd said during his report to State Council.

State Council honored the five California Teachers of the Year.

The five fantastic California Teachers of the Year were in the house this weekend – Jason Torres-Rangel, Catherine Borek, Lauren Camarillo, Ben Case, and Bridgette Donald-Blue. (Council also honored Paula J. Monroe CTA Education Support Professional of the Year Carol Peek.) Torres-Rangel, California’s nominee for National Teacher of the Year, followed up a week where the UTLA member walked the picket line for three days with an inspiring speech to State Council.

“The opposite of divide and conquer is collective power,” he said. “Our students are worth it!”

The CTA Women’s Rights Committee led a powerful tribute commemorating Women’s History Month. State Council members also elected the following members to leadership positions:

CTA Board of Directors

VanCedric Williams, District A

Jesse Aguilar, District H

Wendy Eccles, District K

Denise Bradford, District N

Angela Der Ramos, At-Large

NEA Board of Directors

Ever Flores, District 2

Matthew Seymour, District 4

Irene Amezcua, District 10

Robbie Kreitz, Alternate Director, Seat 1

CTA/ABC Committee

Luciano Ortiz, District G

Hilary Hall, District I

Ed De La Vega, District H

Anthony Garcia, District O

The next CTA State Council of Education meeting will be held May 19-21.