CTA is excited to introduce to you our newest Member Benefit! The Calm mobile app is now available to all CTA members (active and retired) at no cost. Millions of people are experiencing lower stress, less anxiety, improved focus and more restful sleep with Calm. Whether you have 30 seconds or 30 minutes, Calm content is made to suit your schedule and needs.Log into ctamemberbenefits.org/calm to register for your free subscription.

• Deadline today! ESP Peer Mentoring Pilot Workshop: ESP teams can apply for the 2023 “NEA ESPs: Supporting Our Own Through Peer Mentoring Pilot Planning Workshop.” Over a day-and-a-half, teams will work together to build their own unique mentoring pilot programs that empower ESPs in the workplace and CTA. Begin the pre-learning and apply by March 1.

• New Educator Weekend: CTA’s NEW conference is for educators in their first three years in the profession. It has everything you need to be successful in your first years of teaching, including sessions on classroom management, lesson plans and ideas, member benefits and more. #CTANEW
  • March 10-12, Santa Clara Marriott. Register here.

• NEA Higher Ed Conference takes place this year in California with the theme “Joy, Justice, Excellence: The strength of educators. The brilliance of students. The power of community. The promise of higher education.” Includes a pre-conference Leadership Day on March 16.
  • March 17-19, San Jose Marriott. Register here.

Are you a CTA member and educator of color? Interested in broadening your knowledge of your union and exploring leadership opportunities? CTA’s Ethnic Minority Early Identification and Development (EMEID) program may be for you.

EMEID’s goal is to increase the number of BIPOC CTA leaders in roles such as president, bargaining chair, State Council delegate, Service Center Council chair and other positions. The program builds on existing CTA/NEA programs, trainings and conferences and incorporates interaction and coaching with local chapters, CTA and NEA leadership and CTA staff.

Applications for the 2023-24 EMEID cohort are being accepted now through April 7. Those selected must commit to attend the EMEID orientation on Sat., July 22, as well as the Emerging Leaders Program at CTA’s Summer Institute held Sun.-Thurs., July 23-27. For details and to apply, visit cta.org/emeid. Pictured above: the EMEID 2022-23 cohort. 

A community school is both a place and a set of partnerships between the school and other community resources with an integrated focus on academics, health and social services, leadership and community engagement, leading to improved student learning, stronger families and healthier communities. The shared decision-making model ensures that educators, parents and community groups, along with school district administrators, have a voice.

CTA and NEA have been at the forefront of efforts to build community schools, providing resources and guidance to educators and local associations. And now, CTA leaders and staff have developed a five-step path to help locals build member and community support.

Read about CTA and local chapters’ work on this path in the Feb./March Educator magazine. Find more information about community schools and ways to get your school/district involved at cta.org/communityschools.

Get involved and help promote the importance of school music programs! The National Association for Music in Education offers lessons for multiple grade levels that are
free to teachers to use and share.