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.
MAY 2018
Volume XXVI, Number 9
President’s Message
Dear PEA Members,
We are in the home stretch of the end
of the school year 2017-2018. The
busyness we are all under is real!
You’ve done your very best for your
students in your capacity as an
educator. You’ve been shoulder to
shoulder with your colleagues in
advocating for students. We’ve come
together to get a fair contract in many
rallies, letters, and voices directly to
the school board. After all we are in
the League of Extraordinary
Educators! So, you’ll continue to the
end. Just remember, you also need to
recharge and not neglect your own
wellbeing. Even superheroes are
usually human.
California Teachers Association
Statement of Mission
I’ve had the fortunate opportunity to This is why I became a teacher.
speak with more members this month
One of my favorite teachers was my
at Pittsburg High School. Hearing
sixth grade teacher, Mr. Hill. In
from these educators about what was
Washington state sixth grade was still
important to them (Class Size
part of elementary school. He always
Matters) and their enthusiasm for
made me feel safe and comfortable in
what they do with their students to
my classroom. I was even taller than
Stand Up for Student Success was of
him, which can be obviously seen in
great value. PHS educators care
our sixth grade class picture. Mr. Hill
about their colleagues and support
read the Hobbit, Mrs. Frisby and the
them in professional endeavors,
Rats of Nimh, and Watership Down
because they know it advances the
out loud to our class. I already loved
students’ success as well as their own.
That’s what public educators are all
to read, but Mr. Hill made it even
more appealing with his literature
about!
choices. I remember one day we were
The celebration of educators this reading aloud in the popcorn method
month of May is only a small time and it was my turn to read. I got
period in which there should be stuck on saying the word specific.
appreciation. We as professionals The kids giggled a little, but Mr. Hill
should be appreciated all year long! was there to shut it down and help me
Appreciation can come in many in my pronunciation. In these little
forms, but ultimately it gives you a things and even the big things I felt
sense of pride and encouragement in Mr. Hill was there for me. I hope he
the choice to be an educator when you knew how much I appreciated him as
hear the difference you make in a my teacher.
student’s life.
So, let’s grab our capes because we
I had such an occasion to hear from have some students that need us to
one of my formal parents about one of continue Standing Up for Student
her daughters I taught so many years Success!
ago. It was so long ago, my student
In Solidarity,
has now successfully graduated from
college (she was my fourth grade
Tammy Carr
student). The parent told me how
PEA President
much she appreciated me and I was
part of her child’s success. My heart
was so full!
 PEA Leadership 2017-2018 Rep. Council Meeting Calendar (Tuesdays)
President May 22
Tammy Carr
PEA Office School Board Meeting Calendar
Elementary Vice President May 9 & 23
Michell Redfoot June 13 & 27
Willow Cove July 25
Secondary Vice President
Irwin Manangkil Are You Getting Your PEA Information?
Black Diamond Having our Site Reps collect your input, attend the monthly Rep
Secretary meeting and then report back to you is vital in the
Nicole Glassel communication chain of our Association.
Los Medanos
Roll call at last April 24th Rep Council Meeting:
Treasurer
Shelly Bascomb Adult Ed. – present MLK Jr. – present
North Campus
Black Diamond – present North Campus – absent
________________________________________________

Committee Chairs: Foothill – present Parkside – present

Grievance Committee Heights – present PHS - present
Jill Wery – Pittsburg High Highlands – present Rancho Medanos – present
Chris Coan – Willow Cove
Hillview - present Stoneman – absent
Negotiations Team
Los Medanos – present Willow Cove – present
Mark Maselli – Chair - Hillview
Political Action Chair
Marina Vista – present

Jim Vaughan – Black Diamond

***************************************************************************
Elections Chair
Sharie Chmura - Parkside
Human Rights Chair
Andrea McKinney – Black Diamond
Women’s Issues Chair
Alicia Puzak – Pittsburg High
Organizing Chair
Laura Silva - Parkside
CTA State Council Representative
Mark Maselli – Hillview
LGBTQ Chair
Marissa Young-Padilla - Parkside
Special Education Chairs
Michell Redfoot – Willow Cove
Melonie Sauceda-Flemming – Hillview/MLK
Technical Editor
Susan Harrison – PEA Office Administrator

Focus on Educators is a publication of the

Pittsburg Education Association CTA/NEA
159 East 4th Street, Pittsburg, CA 94565
Phone: (925) 432-0199 email: info@peateachers.org
website: www.peateachers.org

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 We Honor Ours! The Equity and Human Rights Conference
By, Andrea McKinney-Webster
PEA is proud to honor Irwin Manangkil PEA Human Rights Chair & PEA Bargaining Team Member
as our 2017 WHO Awardee!
In March 2018, I had the privilege to attend the Equity and
Human Rights Conference held in Torrance, CA. The
conference highlights the educators of the California
Teachers Association as leaders of change. The conference
promoted diversity, equity, and social justice rights for
students and educators.

The three-day conference provided a wealth of knowledge

about important social justice issues. The conference
provided nearly 40 workshops to attendees. These
workshops presented information about diversity, racism,
women issues, and students’ rights to a free public
education. The session’s titles were captivating as well as
motivating. Listed below are a few examples of session
topics on DACA, LGBTQIA, sexism, male privilege, and
more:
• DACA: A Bad Game of Chicken
• What is Your Gender Story?
• White Privilege: What does it mean?
Irwin has gone above and beyond for our union by running • Connection of Labor and Social Justice
for Secondary Vice President during his second year in the • Kneeling…Sitting…Pledging Allegiance… What’s this all
District. He is an excellent leader and teacher. Working at about?
Black Diamond High School he shares his love of history. • The Social Science Textbooks are coming - Are you
He embodies the essence of what a union member is and ready? Fair Education Act (SB48)
should be. Each session offered professional development and learning
opportunities information to educators.
**************************************************************************
In addition to the workshops, the conference awarded eight
educators for their social justice work. The Human Rights
$1,000 in Scholarships Awards recipients embodied the essence of the conferences.
The 2018 recipients displayed true examples of the
awarded to children of dedication required to bring about change for the students
PEA members! and communities. One recipient, Estella Owoimaha-Church
received the CTA Peace and Justice Human Rights award.
Estella is a drama teacher that assigns social service
Congratulations learning projects for students. Estella’s students select a
human rights issue to creatively dramatize as means to
PEA Scholarship Winners! increase awareness toward finding a solution. Estella’s and
other award recipients are excellent inspirational examples of
Alyssa Aragon the advocacy work that educators do for their students and
communities.
(parent – Joanna Aragon)
If you would like to learn more about the topics presented,
presenters, or recipients from the Equity and Human Rights
Hannah Nesta Conference 2018 follow the links below:
(parent – Juana Nesta) https://ctago.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Equity-and-
Human-Rights-Program-Guide.pdf
https://ctago.org/events/2018-equity-human-rights-
conference/

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 California Day of the Teacher
PEA Celebration at La Piñata
May 9, 2018
California’s Day of the Teacher has its roots in the community and is patterned after the celebration of the
traditional “El Dia del Maestro,” which is observed in Mexico and Latin American countries. Our California’s Day
of the Teacher arose out of legislation co-sponsored by CTA and the Association of Mexican American
Educators in 1982.

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 California Day of the Teacher (cont.)
California communities share our goals for quality public schools and recognize public education is the
cornerstone for strong communities. Students are at the center of everything we do and as committed, caring
education professionals, we look forward to building relationships with parents, community organizations, local
businesses, other unions, the faith community and senior citizens. We are all part of a community and we will best
succeed when we work together.

_______________________________________________________________________

PUSD School Board Meeting May 9, 2018

Wednesday, May 9, California’s Day of the Teacher was also spent with PEA members gathered at the PUSD School Board
meeting. In solidarity, educators addressed the school board about class size, safety, adult education, and retaining and
attracting quality teachers. In yellow ‘PEA Teachers Care’ t-shirts, PEA members chanted after each speaker “PEA” and
held “Class Size Matters” signs. Parent and student support was also part of the evening’s public comment time on
behalf of PEA educators.

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 Calendar
May 2018
1 PEA Executive Board – PEA Office – 159 East 4th St. – 3:45 PM
9 Day of the Teacher – La Piñata – 95 Bliss Ave. – 3:30-5:00 PM
9 PUSD School Board Meeting – 2000 Railroad Ave. – 6:30 PM
13 Mother’s Day
15 First of Ramadan begins at sundown
22 PEA Rep Council – PEA Office – 159 East 4th St. – 3:45 PM
23 PUSD School Board Meeting – 2000 Railroad Ave. – 6:30 PM
28 Memorial Day – No School

June 2018
5 Last Day of Instruction
6 Last Day of Work
13 PUSD School Board Meeting – 2000 Railroad Ave. – 6:30 PM
17 Father’s Day
27 PUSD School Board Meeting – 2000 Railroad Ave. – 6:30 PM

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