By Denise Jennex
As an employee of the California Teachers Association (CTA) and the Executive Director of both the Glendale Teachers Association and the Burbank Teachers Association, I’d like to introduce members to the goals of CTA. CTA 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.
To fulfill its mission, the California Teachers Association pursues the following goals:
- CTA plans and executes programs designed to enhance the quality of education for students and the professional and personal lives of its members.
- CTA assists its local chapters in bargaining for salaries and individual and employments rights in keeping with the academic and professional status of its members.
- CTA represents members in governmental relations to influence state and federal legislation and actions by state and federal agencies.
- CTA strengthens its role as the preeminent voice for public education in California – projects a strong, coherent and consistent image such that its members play the major role in shaping public policy on education.
- CTA represents members in professional and career development matters.
- CTA represents members and provides a program of economic benefits and resources for members.
- CTA works to maintain and expand its membership so as to remain effective in defending and advancing its members’ interests.
- CTA maintains a governance system designed to achieve broad membership involvement and democratic decision-making.
- CTA works to encourage ethnic minority member participation.
- CTA works to promote human and civil rights.
- CTA maintains staff, hired in conformance with diversity principles, to serve its members.
- CTA maintains internal and external communication systems to ascertain its members’ priorities,
to keep its members informed, and to improve its relations with the public. - CTA implements NEA policies within California and works to influence the development and contents of those policies.