President E. Toby Boyd delivered a rousing speech to CTA State Council of Education this morning. Here are nine takeaways from that speech:

1. Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow: “This is my next-to-last State Council. You know what they say, time flies when you’re having fun. It also flies by when you’re facing and meeting unforeseen challenges – like a pandemic. But the sheer pleasure of working with all of you and thousands of other CTA members all over the state has made it all worth it.”

2. We Are CTA: “We’re all part of something big! Something bigger than ourselves. 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.”

3. Fighting for Better: “CTA has a long and great history and foundation, and it’s been my distinct honor to join all of you in boosting racial and social justice in our work while serving as your president … We stood with our communities as the murder of George Floyd exposed the systemic racism that exists in police department across the country. We spoke out against the rise in Asian hate attacks…and against the resurgence of antisemitism.”

4. Head on a Swivel: “In January, two operatives from Project Veritas made repeated attempts to register for State Council … Please remember to be vigilant and know who you’re talking to. If you are approached by anyone and it feels weird or suspicious, simply walk away and report the incident to conference staff.”

5. Defending our Students and Schools: “House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has introduced H.R. 5, a deceitful piece of legislation – falsely named the “Parents Bill of Rights” – that will undermine local control of schools, facilitate further book bans and lead to more censorship of teaching honest and accurate education. It also directly targets our LGBTQ+ students … The bill now moves to the Senate, where NEA is already planning the counter-strategy.”

6. We Must Disrupt: “We must stay diligent and disrupt these attacks. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for picking up the torch with me, and making equity and human and civil rights a priority inside and outside your classrooms.”

7. Fighting Inequity with Community Schools: “Community schools give educators, students and families a direct voice in developing the programs and supports to meet the needs of local students and each school community. Community Schools provide the opportunity to address the inequities that have impacted students of color for far too long.”

8. Solidarity is Beautiful: “This past week thousands of educators took to the streets, sometimes in pouring rain. It was the largest educator strike in California since UTLA went out four years ago. And yesterday afternoon, their efforts, sacrifice and disruption paid off. SEIU Local 99 and LAUSD agreed to a 30-percent pay hike over the next three years!”

9. Sí Se Puede: “Next Friday we celebrate Cesar Chavez Day. Let’s celebrate by remembering his words: ‘Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore.’”