Instead of meeting in Los Angeles, as they usually do this time of year, the 800 state council delegates of the California Teachers Association, along with hundreds of others, mobilized over the weekend in their local districts, making phone calls and house calls urging voters to say yes on Proposition 30 and no on Proposition 32 by capitalizing on what they consider their best asset: themselves.
San Francisco Unified teacher Susan Solomon talking to voter Darrell Collier about Props 30 and 32. (Photo by Kathryn Baron. Click to enlarge)
“Face to face is the most important way to make a difference,” said Don Dawson, a CTA board member from San Jose. “People respect teachers.”
CTA may be the most powerful force in Sacramento, but the double challenge of Props 30 and 32 clearly has teachers worried. The former, a $6 billion tax increase, would, if defeated, lead to more teacher layoffs, furlough days and larger classes. The latter
Success comes from grit – and plenty of helping hands along the way - by Emily Hanford
“Grit” is getting a lot of attention these days, due in large part to an excellent new book by Paul Tough, How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity and the Power of Character. Psychologists define grit as “perseverance and passion for long-term goals.” Research suggests that when it comes to high achievement, grit may be as essential as intelligence. That’s an exciting finding because while the...
