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Towards the end of the 2000-2001 school year a small group of UCLA students began taking the steps to start a local SCTA chapter on our campus. It took a few weeks for the chapter to be considered official within the student associations at UCLA. Subsequent to our campus recognition, the group organized an orientation meeting in hopes of recruiting other students interested in teaching. Fliers were handed out randomly to students in addition to announcing the orientation in several education courses.

The first orientation/recruitment meeting was held for the sole purpose of informing UCLA students of what SCTA could offer them as future teachers and why they should join our chapter. United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA) President John Perez, spoke at the meeting. Perez informed students of the role CTA and SCTA play in supporting the teaching profession. Since UCLA does not offer an undergraduate Education major, there were many general career questions that the Executive Board and John Perez answered. Questions were also posed regarding different credentials and programs offered by the UC and Cal State institutions.

Overall, the Executive Board and members of the UCLA-SCTA were pleased with the turnout to the first meeting. Moreover, they were grateful that John Perez took time out of his busy schedule to come and visit with inquiring students. His informative and professional, yet friendly manner was a fine example of a professional educator for future teachers. UCLA-SCTA is looking forward to the upcoming school year in which we hope to build our new chapter and also have fun!