Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!
Happy teacher appreciation week to all the teachers and fellow educators out there who continue to go above and beyond for your students every single day. We hope that you have been showered with kind notes and recognition this week, by your students, their parents, and our school communities.
Being an educator in this day and age can be exhausting. Malicious attacks on teachers and on our public schools persist as we continue to work through a global pandemic. And for too many educators, the stress and strain of working in this environment has led them to the point of questioning whether to continue doing the work they love.
So while the homemade cards, flowers, and gift certificates are well received, we know that what truly matters to educators is that they are paid well and treated with respect, that they have a voice in their schools, and that their students receive the support and resources they need to succeed. And as a union we will continue to stand together and organize to make sure that is exactly what we get.
Over 100 part-time faculty head to Sacramento to organize for healthcare, pay parity
Over 100 part-time faculty from throughout the state hit the ground in Sacramento this week to organize for healthcare, pay, and job security. The two-day event, the first-ever CFT gathering just for part-time faculty members, was an opportunity for activists to connect, build power, and press state legislators to support Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposal for $200 million in ongoing funding for community college faculty healthcare.
The event also saw the unveiling of the groundbreaking CFT survey of part-time faculty, which showed the dire need to reform healthcare in our community colleges. One of the most chilling findings – In the last three years, due to a lack of or insufficient healthcare coverage, 63% of survey respondents put off or postponed getting dental care, 43% did not go see a doctor, 30% did not get a test or treatment recommended by a doctor, and 11% cut pills or skipped doses of medicine.
Armed with the survey results, and a great write up of the survey from CalMatters, part-time faculty were laser-focused on advocating directly to legislators and energized to continue organizing for equity.
Thanks to all those who came to Sacramento this week, and to all those who continue to take part in our campaign for equity for part-time faculty. For more on the two-day conference, make sure to read this report on the CFT website.
Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month
In recognition of AAPI Heritage Month, CFT has put together a great set of resources for use in the classroom, and for home, family, and beyond. AAPI Heritage Month is an opportunity to not only celebrate the histories and contributions of AAPI communities, but also to share stories and debunk myths about Asian communities and to push back on anti-AAPI hate and bullying.
CFT’s Carl Williams in D.C. co-chairing AFT Teacher and School Staff Shortage Task Force
CFT Council of Classified Employees president Carl Williams is in Washington, D.C. this week serving as co-chair of the AFT Teacher and School Staff Shortage Task Force. The task force, which also includes ABC Federation of Teachers president Ray Gaer, is charged with putting together a report for the upcoming AFT Convention July 14-17 in Boston. The report will reflect the work of the task force in investigating how best to recruit and retain both educators and classified staff.
“I’m excited and honored to co-chair the task force to ensure that not only CFT but all classified staff are represented in this important report,” says Carl. “The workforce shortage impacts all education workers and we all need to work to find solutions.”
