SPI candidate Richard Barrera with San Bernardino TA President Barbara Pastuschek-Cox at SBTA’s Fall Leadership conference in September 2026.

The San Bernardino Teachers Association (SBTA) held its Annual Fall Leadership Conference at the Hyatt Regency Orange County in Garden Grove Sept. 11–13, bringing together more than 140 union leaders, primarily school-site representatives and alternates.  

This year’s conference theme was “SBTA Bee Informed, Bee Involved, Bee Empowered.” It centered on advocacy and parity, with a strong emphasis on preparing representatives to confidently support and advocate for their members. 

For the first time, SBTA brought together all of its site reps and alternates for comprehensive training. Participants worked through real-life scenarios, asking questions and practicing responses to situations they might encounter at their school sites. The hands-on approach gave reps a chance to learn and experience what effective advocacy looks like in practice.  

The training continued with an Advocacy Lab, where reps could drop in to ask additional questions, discuss specific concerns, and continue conversations from the earlier sessions. The lab provided a space for reps to deepen their understanding and build the confidence they need to advocate effectively for their colleagues.  

“Bringing more than 140 SBTA site leaders together was incredibly powerful and a true reminder of the strength we have in numbers,” said SBTA President Barbara Pastuschek-Cox. “When our leaders come together to learn, connect, and strengthen their skills, they return to their sites better prepared to support, advocate for, and empower our members.”   

SBTA member Chrisma Luna-Barnum

“I learned so much throughout the entire weekend!” said Chrisma Luna-Barnum, an SBTA site rep at San Bernardino High, and department chair and English demonstration teacher.

“I felt empowered and better equipped to represent my colleagues: from role playing scenarios to reviewing the contract to being able to best support teachers’ concerns. I appreciate the time and attention to detail to teacher and rep needs.” 

“When we invest in our leaders, we strengthen our members, our collective voice, and our entire union.”  – SBTA President Barbara Pastuschek-Cox

Featured speakers  

The conference kicked off with NEA Secretary-Treasurer Robert Varela Rodriguez, a special education teacher in the San Bernardino City Unified School District. The next day actor, director, producer and arts education champion Tony Plana urged SBTA leaders to reflect on the important connection between education, culture, creativity and student success.  

The final day featured Richard Barrera, the CTA-endorsed candidate for California State Superintendent of Public Instruction in the November 2026 election. As president of San Diego Unified School District, Barrera has a long and successful track record of partnering with union educators to invest in the classroom. He fired up SBTA members and celebrated the work they are doing to build a strong local chapter. 

The SBTA leadership conference was a powerful reminder that strong unions are built through informed, engaged and confident leaders. And while advocacy begins at the school site, solidarity across our locals makes us mighty.  

“There is something incredibly inspiring about being surrounded by so many people who share the same commitment to lifting one another up and making our union stronger,” said Pastuschek-Cox.   

“We are more powerful when we stand together, and within our SBTA union family, none of us ever stands alone. When we invest in our leaders, we strengthen our members, our collective voice, and our entire union.”