Aug 30
Happy Labor Day!
For some Americans, Labor Day signals the end of summer vacation, the weather cooling, and a relaxing three-day weekend to have a BBQ with family and friends. For us, we know Labor Day means so much more.
Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions, struggles, and achievements of American workers. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894.
Celebrate, with us, the contributions of our nation’s working women and men, including our California educators:
– Share what #LaborDay means to you. Tweet us using #WeAreCTA and let us know.
– Join California Labor’s Thunderclap to send a strong message about workers standing together.
– Our educators work every day to create safer spaces for our kids. Support public education and all of our students: Take the Pledge today!
– Share a graphic and change your profile picture on social media.
– Read about how today’s unions help working people.
– If you’re at a cookout or family gathering on Labor Day, consider starting conversations about fair wages, expanding worker protections, equal pay for equal work, and how unions help working people.
– Attend a local Labor Day event.
– Add these labor-related songs to your playlist.
– Download and print our “The Union Makes Us Strong” poster and place in your classroom, office, or a community space.
– Tweet about #LaborDay2017 and join the national conversation. See sample tweets below.
– Join California Labor’s Thunderclap to send a strong message about workers standing together.
– Our educators work every day to create safer spaces for our kids. Support public education and all of our students: Take the Pledge today!
– Share a graphic and change your profile picture on social media.
– Read about how today’s unions help working people.
– If you’re at a cookout or family gathering on Labor Day, consider starting conversations about fair wages, expanding worker protections, equal pay for equal work, and how unions help working people.
– Attend a local Labor Day event.
– Add these labor-related songs to your playlist.
– Download and print our “The Union Makes Us Strong” poster and place in your classroom, office, or a community space.
– Tweet about #LaborDay2017 and join the national conversation. See sample tweets below.
Sample tweets:
This #LaborDay2017, we recognize the struggles and achievements of America’s working people. Thank you for making our country run every day!
I’m an educator and a proud union member, demanding a fairer and more just economy for all! #LaborDay2017
Working people make and keep our economy strong. Thank you! #LaborDay2017
I’m an educator and a proud union member, demanding a fairer and more just economy for all! #LaborDay2017
Working people make and keep our economy strong. Thank you! #LaborDay2017
Enjoy the weekend, brought to you by the labor movement.
Aug 28
Congratulations to our August 2017 Educator of the month, Roxanne Lynch-Burns
- Why are you a teacher?
As a young mother, I spent a lot of my free time volunteering in our sons’ classrooms, and realized that I enjoyed it immensely. My sister, Theresa Loarca, also encouraged me to give education a try. She was already teaching in Dixon, and her passion for teaching had a major impact on me.
- What do you enjoy most about teaching?
Those ‘lightbulb’ moments when a student finally understands a new concept or skill. Witnessing the process first hand, year after year, never grows old.
- Years teaching?
This is my 16th year with Vacaville Unified.
- What do you do in your spare/free time?
Garden, read, hang out with my family.
- Fun fact – about you
Earlier this year, I earned a ‘Maker Educator’ certificate through CSU, Sonoma.
- What does being a member of the Vacaville Teachers Association mean to you?
I can count on the VTA to support me 100%. As a professional educator, I can rest easy in the knowledge that our association is ready to offer support in myriad ways; contract negotiations, conflict resolution, etc.
Aug 25
Uniform complaint update
Below is the district’s response to the uniform complaint we filed last year regarding the School Board’s decision to change a teacher’s grade. Unfortunately, it’s not the response we wanted to remedy the situation. However, our collective action, sending a letter with our signatures, to each school board member is to be commended.
The School Board and Superintendent took this issue and our anger seriously. Superintendent Jane Shamieh and board members, Micheal Kitzes and Shawn Windham, came to an Exec Board meeting to discuss the decision, answer questions and listen to concerns. They recognized the faults in the process and are committed to rectifying them.
We will hold them to that commitment.
Thank you all for standing up for this member and our profession.
In Solidarity,
Tracy
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