BURLINGAME – The theme of today’s 24th annual California “Day of the Teacher” reflects the deep commitment of tens of thousands of educators to our 6.2 million public school students across the state: “California Teachers: Bringing Dreams to Life.”

 

“Building the dreams of our students is about building the future of California,” said Barbara E. Kerr, president of the 335,000-member California Teachers Association. “Today is our day to  honor teachers and their constant commitment to helping so many thousands of children make their dreams a reality. Today is about the joys of teaching and learning, and how California’s educators shape the future of our state.”

 

Kerr said teachers are making a difference in the lives of students every day, despite a lack of resources in what is the nation’s largest public school system. California ranks 43rd in the nation in per-pupil spending, according to a study by Education Week, and our classrooms are among the most crowded. The state has the fewest counselors per student in the country.

 

CTA and the Association of Mexican American Educators sponsored the bill that proclaimed the state’s first Day of the Teacher in 1982.

 

Here is a sampling of events today honoring teachers around the state:

 

COSTA MESA: CTA Vice President David A. Sanchez is the keynote speaker at a dinner honoring Orange County educators. The 6 p.m. event, hosted by the CTA Orange Service Center Council, is at the Turnip Rose Grand Newport Plaza, 1901 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa. Contact Norma Potter: 714-978-8861.

 

MERCED: Dennis Van Roekel, vice president of the 2.8 million-member National Education Association, will speak at a dinner honoring local educators for exceptional performance. The awards banquet starts at 6 p.m. at the Merced Senior Community Center, 755 W. 15th St.,

Merced. CTA Board of Directors member Bob Nichols, a San Jose educator who represents the area, will also attend. Contact Rolf Tallberg at CTA Merced/Mariposa UniServ Council: 209-723-8871.

 

FREMONT:  Instead of using their own union dues money to buy small gifts for teachers on Day of the Teacher, the members of the Fremont Unified District Teachers Association will donate $1,800 for the purchasing of library books for the Fremont Unified School District. Teachers will present the donation at the school board meeting tonight, which starts at 6:30 p.m. and is held in the Fremont City Council chambers, 3300 Capitol Ave., Fremont. Contact Marta Dragos: 510-693-1522.

 

COMPTON: The Compton Unified School District and Compton Education Association are honoring educators with a 3:30-5 p.m. reception today in the ballroom at Crystal Park Casino, 123 E. Artesia Blvd., Compton. Contact Tom Hollister: 310-638-8576.

 

FRESNO:  Hundreds of Fresno Unified teachers will be honored from 4-6 p.m. in a reception hosted by the Fresno Teachers Association at the Fresno Masonic Temple, 3444 East Shields Ave., Fresno. FTA President Larry Moore will update teachers on the difficult start of new contract negotiations. CTA Board of Directors member Mike Green, who represents the area, will also attend. Contact: FTA President Larry Moore, 559-917-4540, or Gary Alford, 559-224-8430.

 

MODESTO:  The Modesto Teachers Association is holding its annual Day of the Teacher picnic for teachers and their families from 5-6:30 p.m. at Downey Park, Coffee and Brighton streets, in Modesto. Contact Barney Hale: 209-526-0191.

 

EUREKA:  Humboldt County teachers will be honored at a 3-6 p.m. reception hosted by the CTA Regional Resource Center, 630 J Street, Eureka. Contact Ran Perry: 707-443-6341.

 

###