THIS PAST APRIL several members and locals were recognized with the 2024 Member-in-Politics Award in Honor of Ted Bass and the Chapter-in-Politics Award in Honor of Joyce Fadem.
The Chapter-in-Politics Award, named for the late CTA director of Governmental Relations Joyce Fadem, honors locals that make outstanding contributions to their communities across the state through exemplary organizing in political campaigns.
The Member-in-Politics Awards is named for the late CTA political consultant Ted Bass and recognizes outstanding teachers in politics for their effective organizing in political campaigns.
For more information about CTA’s Member- and Chapter-in Politics awards, visit cta.org/awards.
Member-in-Politics Awards
LONNY JOHNSON, Selma Unified Teachers Assn., received the “Overall Award.” Johnson has held various leadership roles within SUTA including site representative, negotiations chair, Political Action Committee (PAC) chair and vice president. Johnson was instrumental in establishing SUTA’s PAC, which has been a critical part of supporting pro-education candidates for school board elections. Johnson has also worked closely with the California School Employees Assn. and is a chairperson of the Strategic Initiatives Committee within the Fresno County Democratic Central Committee.
Photo caption: Political Involvement Committee Chair Roger McCoy and Lonny Johnson
KRISTINA TAYLOR, Anderson Cascade Teachers Assn., is the recipient of the “Getting Others Involved Award.” Taylor was responsible for hosting most of the campaign activities for her local’s initiative to embrace political engagement and contacted members about potential candidates for the Cascade school board. She also led an inclusive campaign to foster more political engagement among members.
CELIA GREENE, Burbank Teachers Association, received the “State Priorities Award.” Greene met with legislators several times on behalf of educators and students to reaffirm their commitments to not reduce the education budget and not harm student success. She canvassed and phone banked for a Burbank school board race, and participated in candidate interviews for Burbank Unified school board and Burbank City Council.
MELINDA DALY, San Ramon Valley Education Assn., is the recipient of the “Local Priorities Award.” Daly was instrumental in the successful reelection of two pro-education school board members. She also organized educators, parents and community stakeholders to pass Measure Q, a renewal of the district’s parcel tax to extend school funding.
CARRIE TARGHETTA, Oceanside Teachers Assn., received the “Partisan/Non-Partisan Activities Award.” Targhetta, a member of the local Democratic Club and the non-partisan group Indivisible 49, is active in annual voter registration activities for students and community members. Also, in the last election cycle she organized precinct walks and other activities in support of recommended school board candidates.
AUDREY JACQUES, Fairfield-Suisun Unified Teachers Assn., received the “Coalition Building Award.” Jacques is FSUTA’s vice president and organizing chair, and a vice president on the Napa-Solano Central Labor Council’s executive board. She has helped strengthen the partnership between FSUTA and the council. Jacques is also working with school districts to connect Career and Technical Education students with the trades.
Chapter-in-Politics Awards
Franklin-McKinley Education Assn. received the “Rookie Chapter” award. FMEA, with its 340 members located in the heart of the Silicon Valley, became involved in the campaign process by applying for and receiving CTA/ABC funds to produce a joint mailer and 6,000 walk pieces for their canvassing efforts. Over 5,000 door knocks later, their efforts resulted in the defeat of a Moms for Liberty-backed candidate for a school board seat. This not only demonstrated to FMEA what unity can accomplish but also set in place structures to lead to success for FMEA in future elections.
CTA/NEA-Retired Chico received the “Small Chapter” award. Located in the Northern Sacramento Valley with over 300 members, the local launched in 2016 and immediately established a Political Action Committee. It has since been involved in campaigns to support pro-education candidates and legislation. Most recently, in 2024 after extremists launched a well-funded campaign to win the majority of seats on the Chico Unified school board, Chico Unified Teachers Assn. and CTA/NEA-Retired Chico joined forces to recruit candidates, write 11,000 postcards and mobilize support for the endorsed candidates. The result: All three endorsed candidates won. CTA/NEA-Retired Chico is now poised to grow in strength with their coalition partners.
Burbank Teachers Association received the “Medium Chapter” award. Based in the San Fernando Valley with over 700 members, BTA met with their elected representatives during the last election cycle to advocate for educators and students, focusing on issues such as preventing member layoffs and stopping funding cuts. Chapter members mobilized for the reelection of Dr. Armond Aghakhanian for the Burbank school board and the passage of Measure ABC, a bond to renovate aging school facilities, and campaigned on behalf of city council incumbent Konstantine Anthony. The chapter continues to organize at all school sites with the creation of Battle Action Teams in preparation for future challenges.
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