President's Corner
October 2022
President Editorial
By Maripaz Berlin, OGEA President
Hello, OGEA Members!
Returning this school year feels different than the past two Septembers. Though we have learned to live with Covid-19 and all that that entails, we are still experiencing its after effects through our students, our colleagues, our society and ourselves. It’s like the effects are Long Covid, but the social effects, rather than the physical ones.
Still, we, as OGEA, were able to punch through the COVID fog and accomplish the Reopener and the Successor Contract in a matter of five months, negotiating a total 18.5% for the next 3 years. We organized and harnessed our collective power!
It was a challenging year for educators, as evidenced by the number of educators nationally who left and are leaving the profession. The 3 years from 2020 up to now have left an indelible mark on us and our students. Read about the study in this issue:
On Tues., Sept. 27, CTA and partners released findings from a comprehensive statewide survey of more than 4,600 teachers, called "Voices From the Classroom: Teaching in the Golden State."
The survey, conducted in partnership with UCLA's Center for the Transformation of Schools and Hart Research Associates, focused on teacher retention and recruitment issues as the state struggles with severe teacher shortages. Results confirm that teachers find their work fulfilling, but many urgently need more resources, pay, support and respect. Many are also stressed and exhausted.
"Students deserve high-quality teachers that are paid a professional salary, can afford to live where they teach and are supported in the classroom," said CTA President E. Toby Boyd at the press event. "We can solve this educator recruitment and retention crisis, but it’s going to take acknowledgement, commitment and collaboration.”
Check out the full article here.
Also, in this issue is our November Campaign from CTA endorsed vendor, The Standard. This only comes around every two years for Life Insurance.
Don’t miss the new Committee Members in our upcoming issues. We have new members on our Bargaining Team, Political Action Committee, Grievance and Safety Committee!
Also, check out the Community Schools 101 info.
A community school is the heart of a community, uniting diverse and engaged stakeholders to make the school community stronger and support the Whole Child — meaning children are not just supported in academics, but are learning in environments that make them feel safe, valued, engaged, challenged, and healthy.
In Unity,
Maripaz Berlin
OGEA President
president@ogea.org