May 2021

President’s Corner

By Maripaz Berlin, OGEA President

president@ogea.org

As this extraordinary school year comes to a close, I see us as among the most resilient, strong, passionate and persistent educators in California, my fellow OGEA Members. And through it all, the shut-down, isolation, pandemic, emotional and psychological trauma, racial unrest, OGEA navigated and drove on. There were many trials and tribulations that tested our skills, knowledge and endurance. It has most definitely taken its toll on us and has imprinted a year that we will never forget. Together, we continue to overcome those challenges that come our way.

Teaching online.
Participating in meetings virtually.
Attending workshops and professional development all online.
Addressing the social and emotional needs of our students, as well as our own and our families.
Collaborating with teammates online.
Assessing our students with special needs remotely.
Preparing and distributing materials to our students.
Engaging in the bargaining process with surveys,discourse, meetings and ratification of MOUs.
Waiting for our turn to be vaccinated.
Organizing as a Union virtually, on social media, flyers, speaking at Board meetings, emailing our Board members. Attending virtual Town Hall meetings to speak on the issues most important to us and advocating for our students.
Signing petitions to cancel the tests.
Participating in political actions that led to the election of our endorsed candidate, Beija Gonzalez. Taking part in that campaign with writing postcards, precinct walking and honk and waves.
Advocating for better core and supplemental curriculum.
First receiving acclamation, then, enduring condemnation from some community members because we were asserting our rights for safety and well-being as we steadfastly continued to teach and work online.
And lastly, returning to in-person instruction through the hybrid model in the last several weeks of school.

Stand up. Be proud. We have done what has not been accomplished before. The light at the end of this school year tunnel is becoming brighter. I am honored to count myself as an OGEA member. Let us finish STRONG! I look forward to the day when we can gather in person again, to engage in dialogue and in actions that strengthen our bonds and provide fortification of our dedication and commitment to public education, social and racial justice, unionism and advocacy!

IN UNITY!

Organizing