The Mother Lode Teachers Association (MLTA) bargaining team made great strides in contract language, such as tripling the amount of elementary teacher prep time each week—which elicited audible gasps of excitement when announced at the March ratification meeting—pay for when classes without subs are split and moved into other teachers’ classes, one day reserved exclusively for teacher prep before the start of school, and two additional discretionary (no tell) days.

In addition, they achieved a 9.5% salary increase. MLTA President Michelle Herlth credits the hard work, expertise, and preparation to the “amazing negotiations team” for achieving so much for members. Bargaining team members are chair and sixth grade math and science teacher Melissa Huhn, middle school Special Education teacher Jennifer Miranda, and kindergarten teacher Ashley Deubel. “We had a lot of things to discuss and negotiate this year, and I feel like all of them were wins.” And Luna helped. Rounding out the team is Luna, a three-pound fluff ball that fans threaten to dog-nap. “In addition to providing service for me, Luna was a great comfort for the team during our caucus time,” Herlth said.

There was more good news in addition to the positive vote. Herlth learned that more than $70,000 in student loans were forgiven through Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), a federal program that forgives student loan debt for borrowers who work for a government or non-profit employer in five careers: teachers, firefighters, first-responders, nurses, military members, and other public service workers. She learned about the program through CTA.

“Yes, I had $72,000 in student loans forgiven. I was shocked when I received my letter. I must have read it three times before it sunk in,” she laughed. “I handed it to my husband and asked him to read it to make sure I was reading it correctly!”

Read more about PSLF here: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.