Berkeley teacher recognized with prestigious science award
Earlier this month State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond honored three outstanding math and science teachers from California who are finalists for the 2024 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). The PAEMST awards are the highest recognition that an elementary or secondary mathematics or science (including computer science) teacher may receive.
Among the three teachers honored was Berkeley science teacher, and BFT member, Cherene Fillingim-Selk. Cherene has been teaching for 32 years and is currently the Science Resource teacher at the Berkeley Arts Magnet Elementary School. Her excellent work extends well beyond the classroom, and includes service on the district Science Curriculum Adoption Committee and the Climate Action Committee.
Congratulations to Cherene! For more on the PAEMST awards and Cherene’s good work, click here.
SVFT President Kati Bassler appointed to state healthcare advisory committee
Salinas Valley Federation of Teachers President Kati Bassler has been named to the Advisory Committee of the state Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA). Established in 2022, the OHCA recognizes that it is in the public interest that all Californians receive healthcare that is accessible, affordable, equitable, high quality, and universal.
As the new labor representative on the committee, Bassler will continue her advocacy to improve healthcare for working families. Earlier this year, she was instrumental in winning an agreement with her members' healthcare plan for quality, affordable healthcare access in Monterey County, which
continues to have the most expensive healthcare rates
in the state. You can read more about that victory, and the impact it will have on educators and school workers, here.
Urge California’s elected leaders to divest CalSTRS and CalPERS from fossil fuels!
Please take a moment to sign this petition to California’s elected leaders in support of SB 252 (Gonzalez), a CFT-supported bill that would require CalSTRS and CalPERS to divest from fossil fuels by 2031. If SB 252 ultimately becomes law, CalPERS and CalSTRS would move about 2% of their investments from the fossil fuel companies they currently finance with workers' hard-earned savings into other high-performing investments. California, and our pension plans, can do better than invest our hard earned money in the fossil fuel industry. Please sign and share the petition today!
Planting the Seeds of the Future
As the school year comes to a close, AFT Local 1931’s Kelly Mayhew reflects in this wonderful piece on the power and rewards of mentoring and internships. She writes, “I think of this work, this labor of love, as helping to plant seeds in the future.” We hope you enjoy it!
CFT celebrates Pride Month
As we celebrate Pride Month this June, make sure to check out our curated collection of materials on the CFT website, including lesson plans, zoom backgrounds, social media graphics, and more. Look for more on Pride Month on CFT’s socials and website throughout the month!
