ATA Weekly
October 6th, 2023
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Freedom Foundation continues to directly target our members. They have been sending correspondence encouraging members to opt out of their membership. This is a direct attack designed to weaken our union and make it easier to privatize our public schools.
This group is part of the State Policy Network made up of corporate-funded lobbyists who support the privatization of public schools and the outlawing of collective bargaining. These well-funded groups spend untold amounts to spread misinformation and outright lies about unions and its members. If you have received mailings to your home address, please know that it is part of a campaign by a known Union-Busting organization which’s sole purpose is to get rid of unions because they know that as workers, we are stronger together.
If you are a member, we strongly encourage you to maintain your membership. If you are not currently a member, we encourage you to join us. Our effectiveness in bargaining fair and just salaries, benefits, and safe and healthy working conditions is directly related to member support and the power we have in our collective voice. Increases in funding to public schools, ensuring that rights such as permanent status (tenure) and due process continue to be protected, and beneficial contractual improvements are direct results of the important work we have been able to accomplish because of a united CTA and ATA membership.
Additionally, membership provides many important benefits for you and your colleagues. Only members receive an experienced attorney as needed when issues arise around discipline, credentialing questions, complaints, and layoffs. CTA requires that to get legal help a unit member is a dues-paying member before the event giving rise to the need (like car insurance). And active union membership is required to vote on changes to your rights and benefits (including salary and working conditions) and to have a voice in ATA. Members also receive $1,000,000 educators’ liability insurance, numerous discounts, and access to conferences providing ongoing professional development.
Together, we can make our Union the very best it can be at representing all of us.
Standing strong together,
Liz Pinkava
Executive Director (ATA, TASP, GEA)
GET YOUR HANDS ON THE EXCLUSIVE ATA T-SHIRT - FREE FOR DUES-PAYING MEMBERS
As a part of our commitment to increasing visibility and support for OUR association, the Rep Council has approved the distribution of ATA t-shirts to all our dues-paying members. We want to ensure everyone is included, so please let us know if we need to add any title(s) to the design on the back of the t-shirt (see below).
We appreciate seeing our members showing their support for the association and standing in solidarity with colleagues through ATA Blue Tuesdays. To help us with future planning, our secretary Gabriela will email you early next week to ask what size t-shirt you would like. Please submit the form at your earliest convenience.
In addition to the t-shirts, if you would like to purchase any additional ATA swag, you will have the option to do so. We will share opportunities for other purchases in an upcoming communication.
Thank you for your support and dedication to OUR union. Together, we can make a difference and show our solidarity.
NEA DIRECTOR and CTA CONSULTANT SHARE EXPERTISE WITH ATA COMMUNITY SCHOOL LEADERS
On Monday, October 2nd, we had the pleasure of hosting NEA Director Grant Schuster and CTA's Aisha Blanchard-Young at ATA. Their expertise and insights were invaluable to ATA Community School leaders, and the day proved to be a fantastic opportunity for our team to learn from them. The journey of Anaheim Secondary in becoming a highly acclaimed community school was inspiring, and we were thrilled to engage in productive discussions with the speakers. Our members had the chance to ask many questions, and the day concluded with each participant outlining their goals and vision for Community Schools in AUSD. The experience was enlightening for all, and we're eagerly looking forward to our next session, which will include all educational partners, to continue building on this valuable learning.
MEMBER FEEDBACK VISITS
Liz Pinkava, our CTA Staff, and I have begun a series of visits to sites with the aim of listening to gather valuable feedback from our members. We are here to hear your thoughts, both positive and negative. We always come bearing snacks and look forward to meeting new faces and catching up with familiar ones. Please do drop by and say hello at your convenience. You can find the scheduled visits listed below. If your site is missing from the list, kindly inform us so we can arrange a visit that suits your schedule.
CTA CLASSROOM SETUP GRANT - A SPECIAL $300 GRANT FOR BRAND NEW EDUCATORS
CTA Classroom Setup Grant is a special program for brand new educators to provide financial assistance towards the purchase of materials, resources, supplies, tools, and other educational instruments used by the educator to create and promote a positive learning environment in a classroom(s)/designated learning space(s). The program is effective for Employment Start Date starting June 1, 2023.
Click here for additional information.
UPCOMING EVENTS
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
- Grievance (4:00 pm, ATA Office)
- ATA Sped Prep Meeting (4:00 pm, ATA Office)
October 10
- ATA Board of Directors (4:00 pm, ATA Office)
October 17
- ATA Rep Council (4:00 pm, ATA Office)
October 24
- Board of Education (6 pm, Marengo West)
November 13
- Grievance (4:00 pm, ATA Office)
November 14
- Joint BOD and Rep Council meeting (4:00 pm, ATA Office)
- Board of Education (6 pm, Marengo West)
CONTACT US
The Alhambra Teachers Association (ATA) exists to protect and promote the well-being of its members; to improve the conditions of teaching and learning; to advance the cause of free, universal, and quality public education; to ensure that the human dignity and civil rights of all children and youth are protected; and to secure a more just equitable and democratic society.
Email: ataoffice3030@gmail.com
Website: www.alhambrateachers.org
Location: 3030 West Main Street, Alhambra, CA, USA
Phone: (626)289-1933
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlhambraTeachersAssociation/