focus
On educators
focus on educators is an award winning publication of the Pittsburg Education Association/CTA/NEA www.peateachers.org
The California Teachers Association 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.
MARCH 2017
Volume XXV, Number 7
Dear PEA Members,
We are currently at impasse in our
contract negotiations. Youve heard
from your Reps and seen written
communications to the fact that this
was declared by the district. Here are
some things to keep in mind as you
work with your fellow educators to
answer the call to action in getting a
fair contract.
1. Members are dealing every day
with students in one fashion or the
other. Did anyone of us learn all
we needed to know in our college
classes before becoming an
educator? No we didnt. That is
why there are pieces of contract
language specifically created, so
you would have the opportunities to
build upon what youve learned.
Your professional growth is
important in how you excel in your
daily work. The strategies and
skills you obtain will help your
students be more successful.
California Teachers Association
Statement of Mission
Are you getting what you need from income areas. Teachers want to
the Wednesday staff meetings to
grow in your profession? Are you
teach with low class sizes to ensure
that they are better able to assist and
building your skill set when you deliver effective curriculum. When
attend staff development days? we have no class size limits in our
secondary schools this is a disservice
After youve answered those
to our students. When special
questions, think about how the
education classes do not have firm
district has refused to allow
caps of class size this limits more
teachers/unit members determine
time and opportunity for growth of
their own needs for collaboration and
our students.
effective professional development
for Wednesdays during these past Other districts have caps and
bargaining sessions. Ponder how understand why class size really
surveys show that teacher-driven matters. Why not here!
professional development is more
3. We are not at the top of the salary
successfully applied than the sit and
schedule for our area. In the past we
get sessions.
had fully paid benefits. California,
Then there is a disparity in which along with the rest of the nation, has
sites do have collaboration time and an educator shortage. Less and less
how it is structured. As the people are going into the education
educational expert we should be field. Districts around us have better
trusted to have time to collaborate benefit and salary packages. There
with colleagues and prompt are many places to choose from to
topics/training for Wednesday work. We need to attract and retain
meetings. quality teachers! A well paid
professionally developed educator is
Other districts believe in their
the best thing for students.
employees and encourage them in
their professional growth. Why not Other districts are offering more in
here! pay and benefits so they can retain
and attract caliber educators. Why
2. It has been shown in many studies
not here!
that class size truly matters. Smaller
class sizes have been proven to Lets work together to make it HERE!!!
increase student achievement. This
In Solidarity,
is imperative for the students of low-
Tammy Carr, PEA President
 PEA Leadership 2016-2017 Rep. Council Meeting Calendar (Tuesdays)
President March 21
Tammy Carr April 25
PEA Office
May 16
Elementary Vice President
School Board Meeting Calendar
Michell Redfoot
Willow Cove March 8 & 22
Secondary Vice President April 12 & 26
Irwin Manangkil May 10 & 24
Black Diamond June 14 & 28
Secretary
***********************************
Nicole Glassel
Los Medanos
Are You Getting Your PEA Information?
Treasurer Having our Site Reps collect your input, attend the monthly Rep

Bruce Giron meeting and then report back to you is vital in the

Black Diamond communication chain of our Association.

________________________________________________
Roll call at last February 21st Rep Council Meeting:
Committee Chairs:
Grievance Committee Adult Ed. present MLK Jr. absent
John Kleinjans Pittsburg High
Black Diamond present North Campus absent
Chris Coan Willow Cove
Foothill present Parkside present
Negotiations Team
Heights present PHS - present
Mark Maselli Chair - Hillview
Political Action Committee Chairs Highlands present Rancho Medanos present
Chris Coan Willow Cove Hillview - present Stoneman absent
Jim Vaughan Black Diamond Los Medanos present Willow Cove present
Elections Chair
Marina Vista present
Ruth Foster - Foothill
Human Rights Chair
Yvonne Burton - Foothill
Womens Issues Chairs
Alicia Puzak Pittsburg High
O-Team Chair
Laura Silva - Parkside
CTA State Council Representatives
Mark Maselli Hillview
Arthur Pruyn (Alt.) Pittsburg High PEA Scholarships
Membership Chair
Lisa Gunderson Los Medanos PEA Scholarship applications are available for
Special Education Chairs graduating high school seniors who will be attending an
Michell Redfoot Willow Cove institution of higher learning in the fall of 2017.
Melonie Sauceda-Flemming - Hillview Applicants must be the son or daughter of a parent who
Technical Editor is a current member of the PEA/CTA/NEA. You may
Susan Harrison PEA Office Administrator request a scholarship application form from the PEA
Focus on Educators is a publication of the
office at 432-0199 or email susan@peateachers.org.
Pittsburg Education Association CTA/NEA
159 East 4th Street, Pittsburg, CA 94565
Scholarship forms must be returned to the PEA Office
Phone: (925) 432-0199 email: info@peateachers.org
(159 East 4th Street)
website: www.peateachers.org
no later than Monday, April 10, 2017 by 4 p.m.

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 PEA Member
Spotlight
This new column will be a place to hear from our
members who have answered the question of the month.
The question for March is:
What is your best way to de-stress?
To de-stress, I like to laugh with my daughter and dance
with my hlau Hula (dance group/school).
Janette Jones, PHS & Heights, Psychologist
Praying and reading the Bible, reflecting on Gods
goodness and His promises.
Martin Santiago, PILC
Without a doubt, my way to de-stress is fishing, which I do
every day after work.
Alex Weber, Parkside, Speech Language Pathologist
There simply is no better way to de-stress than to be in
the garden! I am grateful that God invented dirt. It keeps
me totally in the moment when I am working the soil
containing our plethora of coveted flowers and succulents.
I am constantly entertained in our little slice of Heaven!
Ann Miani, Stoneman, 3rd Grade Teacher
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Meet your PEA Secretary
Nicole Glassel
Hello PEA Members!
Im thrilled to be your Union Secretary for the 2016-2017
school year! I am making sure all your thoughts being
passed to your reps are heard and efficiently recorded on a
monthly basis! Heres a little bit more about me (in case you
didnt know or were doing a diary entry tonight).
This is my 15th year at Los Medanos Elementary where I
started as a 1st grade teacher, but am currently teaching 2nd
grade. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the
University of Oregon and returned to California where I
attended Chapman University for my Teaching Credential
and Masters of Education in Curriculum & Instruction. In
addition, I will be receiving an Administrative Credential this
spring.
Prior to going into education, I worked in Hollywood at a
post- production facility and in San Francisco at an
advertising agency. I have loved it all, but know my heart is
truly in education.
As educators (and union members), we are the voices who
advocate for our students every day, but we must remember
to speak up for ourselves, as well. For this reason, I wanted
to become more involved with our union (not just when its
contract negotiation time) and hope you will too! Please
read your contract, be aware and informed, and know your
rights!
CHEERS!
Nicole Glassel
***************************************************************************
On Wednesday, March 8, PEA members joined outside the District office for a tailgate and rally event before the school board
meeting. The rally attendees then filled the board room during the meeting with signs. Speakers touched on the big issues of
importance. Thank you for all your active participation and support to our PEA Bargaining Team! You truly make a difference!

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PEA was excited to celebrate Read Across Pittsburg (our spin on NEA/CTAs Read Across America) with an event we started two
years ago. We invited special guest readers to our classrooms at Heights, Highlands, and Parkside! It was a lot of fun for the guests
and the kids! PEA would like to give a special thank you to Superintendent Schulze for supporting this event.
Thank you to the community members and district office staff who volunteered their time to read and to make this a successful
literacy event!
Pictured left to right, top to bottom, CTA President Eric Heins, CTA Board Member for District C Terri Jackson, Pittsburg Chief of
Police Brian Addington, PUSD Superintendent Janet Schulze, Firefighter of Station 85, PEA School Board Member DeShawn
Woolridge, Pittsburg Mayor Merl Craft, and Pittsburg City Treasurer Nancy Parent.

To see more photos, go to facebook.com/pea.teachers or our website peateachers.org

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PEA Executive Officers Job Descriptions
President
The President shall be the chief executive office of the
Association and its policy leader.
The President shall:
1. Preside at all meetings of the Association, the
Representative Council and Executive Board;
2. Prepare the agenda for the meetings of the Association,
the Representative Council and the Executive Board;
3. Be the official spokesperson for the Association;
4. Be familiar with the governance documents of the
Association, CTA, and NEA;
5. Appoint all chairpersons and members of committees,
and of the bargaining team, with the approval of the
Executive Board by the beginning of each school year;
6. Propose the procedures for grievance processing for
ratification by the Executive Board and the
Representative Council;
7. Suggest policies, plans and activities for the Association
and be held responsible for the progress and work of the
Association;
8. Attend meetings of the Service Center Council of which
the Association is a part; and
9. Attend other CTA/NEA meetings as directed by the
Representative Council.
Vice President, Elementary
The most important duty of the Vice President, Elementary,
shall be to carry the message of the President to all
Elementary School members in order to activate the
members to participate positively in the association.
To do this, it shall be considered necessary for the Vice
President, Elementary, to perform the following tasks:
1. Actively attend all Executive Board meetings
2. Actively attend all Representative Council meetings
3. Perform the duties of chairman at any Executive
Board or Representative Council meetings that the
President is unable to attend
4. Actively attend meetings of the School Board when
requested by the President
5. Coordinate and assist the Representatives of the
elementary schools to assist them in conducting Ten
Minute meetings at their sites with all their members
6. Recruit members to participate in the activities of the
union at the elementary sites such as
Representatives, Executive Board members,
Bargaining Team members, Organizing Team
members and other committees established by the
association
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7. Promote support for the Bargaining Team among the
members
8. Be aware of the status of grievances at the
elementary sites and support the successful resolution
of same
9. Support the Representatives in carrying out their
duties at the elementary sites as it relates to assisting
members who have been accused of violations by the
administration and reporting violations of the contract
by the administration
10. Support the Representative's efforts to foster a
positive attitude about the union and participation in
the functions of the union at the elementary sites
11. Represent the union in a professional manner at all
times
12. Be a resource for all members of information,
position/policy of the association and event schedules
13. Plan and Organize Community Outreach Events:
Farmers Market Table; Sock Drive; Read Across
Pittsburg; and Pittsburg Health & Safety Fair
14. To perform all other appropriate duties as assigned by
the President
Secretary
Duties include the following:
1. Keep a careful and accurate record of the
proceedings of each meeting, regular or special, of
the Association, Representative Council, and the
Executive Board;
2. Be responsible for the distribution of minutes, notice
of meetings, and agendas for all meetings to
members of the Representative Council and
Executive Board; and to the membership when
appropriate;
3. Keep an accurate roster of the membership of the
PEA Association and of all committees and this
information to the office secretary;
4. Carry on the correspondence pertaining to the
affairs of the Association as directed by the
President;
5. Keep the PEA Office calendar up-to-date with
events and meetings related to PEA.
State Council Representative
PEAs State Council Representative will represent Pittsburg
Education Association members in CTAs highest governing
body, the State Council of Education. State Council sets
policy for the organization, adopts the budget, determines
dues, recommends expenditures to the board, elects the
executive officers and other members of the board of
directors and performs other similar duties.
It is expected that PEAs State Council representative will:

1. Travel to Los Angeles for meetings four weekends per

year (usually October, January, March, and June)
2. Actively attend all Executive Board meetings
3. Actively attend all Representative Council meetings
4. Report out and seek input from members in order to best
represent PEA at State Council Assemblies
5. Write an article for the FOCUS newsletter quarterly

***The runner-up in the election of the State Council

Representative will become the State Council
Representative Alternate.

ELECTION TIMELINE
The Declaration of Candidacy forms are available from your
site reps as of March 21, 2017. These are due to the PEA
office no later than 4:00 p.m. on April 25, 2017.

There will be a General Membership meeting for all PEA

members on April 25 from 3:454:00 p.m. at the PEA office.
At this time, any nominations can be taken from the floor and
candidates can give a speech if they so desire. After this
meeting, all candidates names and statements will be
printed on a ballot.

The PEA Elections of Officers and Local State Council ***************************************************************************

Representative Ballot will be distributed to all the school sites
on May 2 and members will have from May 2 through May 16
until 3:00 p.m. to cast their vote.

Ballots must be turned into the PEA office no later than

4:00 p.m. on May 16, 2017.

The final results will be sent to site reps on May 31 via email. ***************************************************************************
They will also be posted on our website: peateachers.org.
and sent via email to all members. SCHOOL BOARD BREAKFAST
February 25, 2017
PEA is a democratic association and relies on your
participation to be governed. Thank you for your support!

Duane Smith, Lisa Gunderson, Michell Redfoot,

Tammy Carr, Elza Hess

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 Calendar
March 2017
1 Ash Wednesday
2 Read Across Pittsburg 3:30-4:00 PM
7 PEA Executive Board PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 4:00 PM
8 PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 6:30 PM
12 Daylight Savings Time begins
17 St. Patricks Day
20 Spring begins
21 PEA Rep Council PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 4:00 PM
22 PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 6:30 PM
31 Caesar Chavez Day No school

April 2017
1 April Fools Day
4 PEA Executive Board PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 4:00 PM
9 Palm Sunday
10 Passover begins at Sundown
12 PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 6:30 PM
14 Good Friday No school
16 Easter
17-21 Spring Break
22 Earth Day
25 PEA Rep Council PEA Office 159 East 4th St. 4:00 PM
26 PUSD School Board Meeting 2000 Railroad Ave. 6:30 PM

Next Deadline for Articles is Monday, April 10, 2017

STAY INFORMED @ peateachers.org

cta.org & nea.org
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