This is the time of year we tend to reflect on the last 12 months and resolve to make some changes in the year ahead. We reflect on the memories we’ve collected along the way, the friendships we’ve made and the experiences that have strengthened us. Conversely, we recall the challenges, the difficulties, and the hurts that we endured and conquered. And then we make resolutions that often center on self-care, making healthier choices and challenging ourselves to step outside our comfort zone.

As I reflect on 2022 in my role as CTA president, I feel pleased and motivated by the upbeat outlook for California schools. The state had another record budget year and state leaders held true to their commitment to prioritize public education. Although we now live in the fourth largest economy in the world, California ranks nowhere near where we need to be in public education funding.

“Just imagine what we can accomplish if we all just stepped a little further outside our comfort zone.”

We have work to do, but fortunately the funding is available to recruit qualified teachers, counselors, nurses, librarians and other student support services; improve salaries; and invest in programs that provide all students with the support and opportunities they need to succeed. The work will come down to organizing and bargaining. If you haven’t been involved with your local union, please consider doing so now. Members supporting their local bargaining teams make a real difference; our collective power comes from all of us working together.

As I reflect on the experiences, I think about how our hard work
during the campaign paid off in the November election. We celebrate the re-election of Tony Thurmond as State Superintendent of Public Instruction. We’re elated that voters overwhelmingly supported additional monies for arts and music in schools (Prop. 28). And while the need to solve our climate issues is urgent, Lyft’s attempt to pass a special interest tax that would rob public schools of funding (Prop. 30) was misguided, as voters realized by turning it down.

The election results affirm educators of the continued support and trust of voters. And that is good news because we all know public schools work best when parents and educators collaborate on what students need and address the real issues facing our schools.

Cue the self-care resolution.

The coming year will not be without its challenges. There continue to be concerted efforts to inject extremist beliefs into our public schools. Book banning has reared its ugly head in California. Antisemitism is again a threat. Coming on the heels of COVID-science denialism and attacks on accurately teaching the role of race in our history, the latest targets for extremists are LGBTQ+ students and educators, and LGBTQ+ curriculum inclusion and student support.

The growing teacher shortage crisis will continue to be a problem until educator salaries are improved significantly and meaningful steps are taken to reduce the factors, including extremist, politically driven attacks on teachers and school staff as well as on-the-job discrimination, that lead to stress and burnout in our profession. CTA’s New Educator Pipeline and Support Workgroup is currently developing recommendations on teacher recruitment and retention and promoting diversity and inclusion in the education workplace.

We have the tools to improve our profession and make our great public schools even better. I’m confident that better funding, community schools, universal transitional kindergarten, and the sheer power of our 310,000 members will continue to propel us forward on behalf of our students. Just imagine what we can accomplish if we all just stepped a little further outside our comfort zone. I hope your winter break is restful and one that prepares you for a great new year.

E. Toby Boyd
CTA PRESIDENT
@etobyboyd