During our site visits, we had the opportunity to speak with some unit members who expressed concerns about sharing important issues with the ATA due to fear of retaliation from their site administrators. We also learned of an instance where an administrator expressed dissatisfaction with a unit member for bringing a matter to the ATA.

It is important to remind both members and administrators that under the Educational Employment Relations Act (EERA), unions have the right to represent members in all matters under our Union Contract and Labor Law. And members have the right to represent themselves (or others) and to participate in union activities. As such, it is illegal to intimidate or discourage members from bringing their concerns to the ATA, to impose, threaten, or discriminate against members who participate in any union activity (including raising issues to ATA), or interfere, restrain, coerce members because they exercise rights guaranteed by EERA.

While we encourage ATA members to discuss a matter or concern with their administrator first, we understand that, in some cases, additional support may be required. And this is why Unions exist and why you have the absolute right to reach out to ATA.

ATA values the positive relationship and open communication that exists between the District and the Association when it comes to problem resolution. It is our shared goal to address and solve problems constructively and cooperatively, and often, we do. Even so, we need to reiterate to our members (and administrators) that we take very seriously any form of discouraging union activity, whether direct or indirect, by administrators or others. If you believe you have been discouraged, threatened, or restrained from talking to ATA or participating in Union Activities, please let us know ASAP.

Have you ever felt unsupported by your administrator? Have you ever been called to a meeting to discuss a D/F rate and felt like the responsibility was being unfairly shifted onto you? One teacher's experience shows us the negative impact of these conversations on both teachers and students. Read on to learn why these conversations may be doing more harm than good, and what can be done to build a more trusting and collaborative environment in schools...

I don’t have a relationship with my principal; the only time she stepped into my classroom last year was to walk through it unannounced for less than a minute. She doesn’t know anything about my teaching practice. Therefore, it was with a sense of dread that I responded to her summons to talk about “my” D/F rate. I decided early on that I would come mentally prepared for that meeting. I survived the encounter with the support of my Union Rep and the hours of preparation to defend myself.

Even though the principal said early on that the meetings were not investigative; the mere fact that teachers are being called to these meetings felt punitive, because the main question driving these conversations is “What can teachers do to respond to the DF rate?”. This question shifts the responsibility to teachers and robs students of their autonomy as learners to develop accountability. It reinforces learned helplessness in students where the solutions are external to students. It is not teachers who give students grades; it is students who make their grades.

Having these DF conversations also does not take into account other systemic issues beyond the control of teachers such as grade-level literacy gaps and the inequities in who ends up in our classrooms. The question is also fundamentally coercive and encourages grade inflation. It is with great alarm to hear that school leaders plan on continuing this practice in the future. It needs to stop because it is a waste of time and generates ill will due to the coercive nature of these meetings. School leadership should instead take the time to build a trusting environment for true collaboration to occur and address issues that only they have the power to address such as tracking and school safety.

-Anonymous

Most long-time ATA members have read or heard of the Union Code of Conduct:

1. I will not criticize any union colleague except to the individual directly.
2. If any union colleague is being criticized in my presence, I will confront the criticism and ask that it stop.
3. I will not participate in any conversations with management that criticizes, or negatively speculates about, any union colleague.
4. I will settle my differences with colleagues within my union.
5. I will engage in debate, offer others every opportunity for debate and respect minority viewpoints, but I will observe and support the majority mandate of my union.

The Union Code of Conduct reminds us that if you have a concern regarding another ATA Unit Member(s), our hope is that you speak to them first and try to quash any issues before reaching out to other colleagues, admin, or the Union. While we are all human and are not required to like every person in ATA, your site, or the District, we are required to, however, treat one another with the respect that we would wish for ourselves.

Nevertheless, ATA recognizes that there might be times or circumstances when it is impossible to reconcile differences. If you find yourself in a conflict with ATA colleagues which is causing difficulties in your job or you feel that your rights are being violated, reach out first to ATA. We will help problem-solve these conflicts, mediate, and/or, if necessary, bring the matter to the district (in severe cases in which such member v. member issues might be a failing on the part of the District).

Remember, ATA’s strength is in our unity, mutual respect, and understanding, and we should always act accordingly.

The deadline for submitting your proposals for the 2023-2024 full contract negotiations is quickly approaching. Please submit your proposals through the provided link by November 7th at 5 PM. Remember, emails or texted proposals to bargaining team members will not be accepted. Thank you for your cooperation and for taking the opportunity to make your voice heard.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to ATA Bargaining Chair, Tammy Scorcia.

Thank you for your participation in this important process.

Proposal Link: https://forms.gle/YWXHie2UWLX7trKr6

Don't miss out on an informative session that covers the essential laws and regulations of SpEd, IEP meeting requirements, and best practices, as well as how to tackle common compliance issues. This training is ideal for both SpEd and GenEd staff and will be conducted online via Zoom on November 8th at 4 p.m.

Kindly RSVP by clicking here by Monday, November 6th, 2023, to receive the Zoom link. For any inquiries, feel free to reach out to the ATA office.

Your Member Engagement Team has been brainstorming ideas on how to bring more members together for fun and networking.

Some ideas that have come up are building relationships at sites and we plan on starting with our Community Schools.

Other plans in the works are a paint night, a baseball night (in the Spring), working with

the Community Engagement Team for opportunities to connect with our students’ community and more.

If you’re interested in helping out please contact me at alana.acosta@sbcglobal.net.

Alana Acosta-Martin

ATA Vice President

To access the registration link, click here.

Click here to access the registration link below. It's open to everyone, and you don't need to be a Kaiser Permanente member to attend.

To access the registration link below, click here.

Join Us and Provide Your Input! The San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) is hosting two Community Workshops, and we would like to see you there and receive your input!

The San Gabriel Valley Transit Study, carried out by the SGVCOG and in partnership with LA Metro, is coming to an end, and we would like to receive your feedback on the remaining five bus routes.

Now it’s time for the community to weigh in and help us improve mobility in the San Gabriel Valley! Join us at one of our upcoming Transit Study Community Workshops:

Tuesday, Nov. 28 In-Person Community Workshop from 5:30 - 7 p.m.:

• Hacienda Heights Community & Recreation Center

1234 Valencia Ave., Hacienda Heights, CA 91745

• RSVP here: https://bit.ly/405lhvU

Wednesday, Nov. 29. Virtual Community Workshop from Noon – 1 p.m.:

• Conducted via Zoom

• RSVP here: https://bit.ly/3RZWlnA

#SGVCOG #SGVTransitStudy #publictransit #publictransportation #riders #buses #BRT #metro

#TransitStudysurvey #innovation #publictransit #publictransportation #riders #buses #metro #train

November 8

- ATA/CTA Sped Compliance Training (4:00 pm, Zoom)

November 10

- Veterans Day - Holiday

November 13

- Grievance (4:00 pm, ATA Office)

November 14

- Joint BOD and Rep Council meeting (4:00 pm, ATA Office)

- Board of Education (6 pm, Marengo West)

November 20-24

- Thanksgiving Break

December 4

- Grievance (4:00 pm, ATA Office)

December 5

- Joint BOD and Rep Council meeting (4:00 pm, ATA Office)

December 12

- Board of Education (6 pm, Marengo West)

December 21

Secondary School Pupil Free Day (9th-12th & LIFT)

The Alhambra Teachers Association (ATA) 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.

Email: ataoffice3030@gmail.com
Website: www.alhambrateachers.org
Location: 3030 West Main Street, Alhambra, CA, USA
Phone: (626)289-1933
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlhambraTeachersAssociation/