Hello YCTA

Today (May 8) is California's Day of the Teacher.  Let this be a day we reflect upon our profession.  This week also marks the 150th anniversary of CTA.  Our union has been an advocate for students, educators and public education for 150 years.  Click here for the link to the CTA celebration of 150 years.

My message for this day:

We make a difference in the lives of young people and impact a future beyond our own. 

I quote from Maya Angelou
People will forget what you said
People will forget what you did
But people will never forget how you made them feel.

This embodies a basic belief that our actions with young people go far beyond that which is tested and analyzed. 

We teach.  We make a difference.  We care and build relationships one child at a time.

One other reminder of our greater purpose:   "The purpose of education is to enlighten the student as to how to use their own mind, rather than to fill it with facts for a test." (no citation for the quote) We teach students to be thinkers and use information so that they are empowered for their futures.  This one from Diane Ravitch speaks to this idea of teaching and thinking:  "Can teachers successfully educate children to think for themselves if teachers are not treated as professionals who think for themselves?” click here for link to her website

May I suggest a thought-provoking article on educational reform and testing.  A good read if you share my concerns about the future of educational reform.  Click here for a link to the article.

Celebrate today and reflect about the joy and promise of our profession. 
I am proud to be a teacher.  I am proud to be an educator. 

I believe in the future, therefore I commit myself to teaching.  Thank you to all of you who commit yourself to playing a role in educating young people.

Have a wonderful day, Dina