Frustrated by union leaders and policies that they say no longer represent them, a group of educators have banded together to reform the powerful United Teachers Los Angeles, or UTLA, from within.

Calling themselves NewTLA, these local educators say for too long a small minority of teachers have controlled the powerful 40,000 member teacher's union. Their goal is to move UTLA into a progressive era, by having more teachers involved, advocating for more teamwork with district officials and even supporting controversial reforms like the elimination of seniority-based layoffs.

NewTLA officially launched this month, when dozens of its members were elected into leadership positions within UTLA.

"There is a silent majority of teachers who feel that UTLA has been unwilling or unable to adress the interests that affect us on a day-to-day basis," said Mike Stryer, a veteran social studies teacher at Fairfax High School who is among those leading the reform effort.

"By having this silent majority of teachers become more active, we hope there can be substantial change... We