Political Action Committee—Steve Ball Communications—Mary

Political Action Committee—Steve Ball
I teach sixth grade at EJ Marshall,
where I am a site rep. This year, I was
appointed to Executive board as ACT
Political Action Committee chair. Our PAC
exists for the sole purpose of recommending candidates and incumbents for school
board elections.
Each election cycle, we reach out
to potential candidates with a written
questionnaire, interview candidates in
person, and recommend candidates for
election. Once a candidate receives ACT’s
recommendation, PAC develops a campaign to publicize and promote our
recommendations.
Our goal is to help elect a school
board that is knowledgeable about the
issues we face as educators, puts students
first, and values the important work of
our teachers, nurses, and counselors.
To be successful, we’ll need your
help. This fall, please attend our
Bingo night fundraisers, volunteer for
phone banking, plant a sign in your
yard, and even if you don’t live
within our district- put a window
cling on your car. Most of all, don’t
forget to vote!
Communications—Mary Hancock
My current teaching assignment is
teaching the science core classes at our
district’s Alternative Education Center –
AEC. I earned my BA at Cal Poly Pomona
in Liberal Studies in 2001. Since there
were no jobs for me in elementary, I took
the CSETs examinations in Biological Sciences and earned a secondary credential
which allowed me to be hired at Don
Lugo. I taught Biology and Yearbook
there for 6 years. During this time, I
completed my Master’s degree in instructions design and technology through WGU,
my emphasis being increasing test scores
in underperforming students. I have a
passion for technology and its integration
into the classroom to assist students
through the education process.
Todd and I are the proud parents of 3
CVUSD graduates, 1 foster daughter and 2
grand-daughters. My role in our association is maintaining our ACT website, our
Facebook and the creation of our new
newsletter! I welcome your questions and
concerns in these areas and interacting
with you on our Facebook – Associated
Chino Teachers.
S I TE R E P R E S E N TATI VE S :
Viewpoint
Borba Nance, Loretta
Briggs Dizon, Veronika
Butterfield Ranch - Schlerf, Laura
Cattle- NO REP
Chaparral - Hofmann, Susie
Chaparral - Keane, Mavi
Cortez - Feller, Em
V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 1
Country Springs - Sylvia, James
Dickey- Simon, Karen
Dickson - Zoetemelk, Tracy
Eagle Canyon - NO/REP
Glenmeade – Simmons, Marie
Hidden Trails - Gumaer, Denise
Welcome to our new newsletter!
collective capacity of our teachers, we
Liberty - Berg, Kim
Bargaining has not gone the way we
can transform how our school board
Litel - Smart, Lezlie
had hoped it would up to now. It is
members view us.
Marshall - Ball, Steve
Newman - DeBie, Rhonda
time we move forward with reminding
Oak Ridge - Matta, Alexandria
the district of our value and that we
Rhodes - NO/REP
should be a top priority, not an after
Rolling Ridge - McClarty, Kelly
Walnut - Andreas, Christina
thought. Therefore, ACT must take a
Walnut - Schultz, Patty
leadership role in shaping the experiencWickman - Fredericks, Carolyn
Ayala - Delfin, Gabe
es in our district, our sites and especialAyala - Gutierrez, Eugene
ly our classrooms. Teaching is a deAyala - Russell, Kevin
Mary Hancock, Senator Norma Torres and
manding endeavor, practiced in a very
Boys Republic - Woods, Kristen
Todd Hancock
Buena Vista – NO REP
complex environment. It is our responsiChino - Celestino, Lucia
bility to teach and persuade our district
Sufficient time and resources (even
Chino - Gurrola, Adrianna
and school board members of our
personal resources) must be provided to
Chino Hills - Acker, Jennell
Chino Hills - Bahena, Delia
proper place as the primary source to
the teachers so our students can be
Don Lugo - Houska, Michele
educate our students. “The time is right
successful. Your bargaining team needs
Don Lugo - Woolery, Debi
Briggs - George, David
to do what is right “(MLK Jr.). With the your help. Our organizing team has
Canyon Hills - Bridge, Jan
Canyon Hills - Robinson, Rick
Magnolia - Larned, Kelly
Magnolia - Lewis, Kerry
Preserve - Ballein, Michelle
Ramona - NO/REP
Townsend – Casias, Larry
ing Conference Planning Committee.
Hello, my name is Larry Casias,
Woodcrest - Young, Randy
and I’m your new Vice President. As
My teaching career goes back 23
Adult School - Hatch, Beverly
such, my goal is to use my years of ACT years; 18 of those at Townsend in 8 th grade
Nurses - Parks, Susan
AEC - Hancock, Mary
involvement for the benefit all members. science. I also taught 3 years at Los Serra-
J A N U A R Y
2 7 ,
2 0 1 4
President’s Message—Todd Hancock
been meeting and our plan of action
will be rolled out in the next few
weeks. Additionally, our PAC committee
has been meeting and has a calendar
plan for early school board member
recommendations.
If we want change, we need you to join
us at whatever level you can. I have
used this newsletter to introduce you to
our ACT Executive Board who are assisting me in leading us in our efforts at
all levels. There is strength in numbers
and we are 1255 strong. We need the
district to show us that we are valued
and appreciated. Let’s stand together
and be heard!
Vice President—Larry Casias
ASSOCIATED CHINO TEA CHERS
5951 SYCAMORE COURT
CHINO, CA 91710-9008
(909) 628-0713
CHINOTCHERS@GMAIL.COM
During my tenure with ACT, I
have worn many hats: Townsend Junior
High site rep; Health and Welfare Chair;
Bargaining Chair; and Organizing Chair. I
have represented you at State Council on
the Student Support Services Committee.
I’m currently on the CTA Communications
Committee, along with the Good Teach-
nos, and my first two years of teaching
were in El Monte.
An ACT Vice President takes on a lot
of “duties as assigned.” Basically, I’m involved with most of the committees and
handle grievances when called upon. Contact
me anytime at Acthealthandwelfare@gmail.com or
Actorganizing@gmail.com . I look
forward to the opportunity to work with and
to support all members of ACT.
PAGE
2
Secondary Directors—Kelly Larned & Michelle Stevens
I
have been a teacher for 14 years
and am currently teaching 7th and
8th grade science at Magnolia Junior
High. I became a site rep 5 years
Calendar Dates:
 New Teacher
Jan 29 @ 3:00 pm
ago and quickly became involved at
the local level of ACT. In 2012, I
was elected to serve a 2-year term
as ACT Secondary Director. I have
served on several committees including: Health and Welfare, Scholarship
and Building committees. I am
currently serving as a member of the
PAC committee and I one of the four
Bargaining Team members. I believe
in the power of local unity. One of
my goals is to help strengthen our
collective bargaining contract and
tors, I am blessed you have elected
me as your current ACT Secretary. I
previously held the appointed position
as ACT Election Chairperson. I
worked with past and current ACT
leadership to try to modernize and
turn ACT elections around for the
better for all ACT members. Hopefully, future elections will continue to
improve and be held on-line.
 ACT Ex Bd Mtg.
Feb 03 @ 4:00 pm
 CVUSD Bd Mtg.
Feb 06 @ 7:00 pm
 HOLIDAY Lincoln
Feb. 10
 Spec Ed Workshop
Monrovia RRC
Feb 11 @ 4:00 pm
 Bargaining
Feb. 12
 HOLIDAY Washington
Feb. 17
 CVUSD Bd Mtg.
Feb 20 @ 7:00 pm
 Reg 3 Ldrshp Conf.
Pasadena
Feb. 21 - 23
 Rep Council Mtg.
Feb 24 @ 4:00 pm
 Equity & HR Conf.
Irvine
Feb. 28 - Mar 02
VIEWPOINT
I am a 20 year educator serving
the Chino Valley for the past 14
years as a counselor and special
education teacher. I am happy to
assist our unit members with questions about the contract and site
representation as needed. I have
served on the executive board of ACT
for the past 5 years. I've held the
position of PAC chair and Secondary
Hello ACT members and fellow educa-
I have been an elementary
teacher in CVUSD since July 1999. I
attended Cal State Fullerton for my
Bachelor’s, Credential, and Master’s degrees. As a full time student, I was a
full time working single parent. I owe a
lot thanks and credit to the Lord and
my entire family. This is my 15th year
in CVUSD and 17th overall in the field of
education. I am blissfully married to a
fellow educator in another district and
we reside in Chino.
Treasurer—Pam LeVac
Greetings, fellow ACT members. I
am Pam LeVac, your treasurer. It is
my responsibility to help us stay on
budget and see that our bills are
paid on time. I also chair the Budget
Committee who is charged with
creating a yearly balanced budget. I
am happy to report that the purchase of our building we saved
$20,000 in fiscal 2012/2013. This
prevented us from needing to deficit
spend.
Over my years as a member I have
also served on a variety of ACT
Committees. It has also been my
pleasure to represent members and
visit sites to share information. Feel
free to contact me or the other
board members with your questions
1,
ISSUE
and concerns. I look forward to seeing
you throughout the year.
1
PAGE
3
Elementary Directors—Jody Bunch & Marty Dwyer
I'm Jody Bunch and as a Chino
native and Chino High School alumni, I
have put my heart into my job as a
C.V.U.S.D. Teacher. Currently I'm a
Secretary—Christa Boothroyd
 DEADLINE Jan 30
NEA-RA Candidacy
 Spec Ed Workshop
Ontario Montclair TA
Feb 12 @ 4:00 pm
provide a safe and fair workplace for
Director.
the teachers of CVUSD.
VOLUME
second grade teacher at Alicia Cortez . Most
of my 26 years of experience has been in
the primary grades I did have the opportunity to teach fourth and fifth grade for a short
time. I earned my B.S. and credential from
Cal Poly, Pomona. This is my last year as
your elementary director. I have been honored to represent you and will continue
through this school year. Please contact
me at j0dy73@yahoo.com
If I can assist you.
As an E. J Marshall teacher for over
17 years and a site rep for the over half
of those, I understand the urgency a
teacher can feel when the contract has
been violated or feel they’ve been treated unfairly. I know it is not always
possible to get ahold of our president,
and that’s where I can help. If you are
at one of the elementary schools that I
am director for, and you find yourself in
this situation, please don’t hesitate to
contact me at dwyer91710@verizon.net
or 909.628.0713 (union office).
Chances are that I can get back
to you quicker than our president, but if it is something
beyond my scope, you can be
certain your concern will get to
the right person.
Special Education Director—Em Feller
My name is
Em Feller. I am
honored to be
elected as your
Executive Director
for Special Services
for the 2013-2014.
In case you are
unaware, Special
Services includes Special Education Teachers, Music
Teachers and Nurses 2013-2014. I am currently
an SDC elementary teacher at Alicia Cortez
Elementary. Previously I taught general education K-6 and long termed 7-12. My “prior”
career was as a teacher and director of corporate sponsored child care centers.
As a proud New Yorker, and transplant to
California I am married to my husband Brian.
We have three fur babies Kodi, Marley, and
Nestle. I am by default a zoo keeper as we also
have birds, reptiles, and fish.
In my free time, I am a card carrying
volunteer of the American Cancer Society and
am privileged to be one of this year’s event
co chairs for Chino Relay. I enjoy playing
volleyball, going to the movies or theater and
cooking.
One of my beliefs is that we can be
part of the problem or part of the solution.
Let’s be part of the solution together.
Special Education Committee Chair—Claudia Cruz
This is my 12th year as a special
educator, but I have worked with disabled
individuals my whole career. I started as
a service coordinator for the San Gabriel/
Pomona Regional Center (SGPRC). During
my 4 years at SGPRC, I would make school
visits and attend IEP’s as an advocate.
These visits triggered my career change. I
wanted to become an RSP teacher to help
students who were struggling with their
learning. I obtained my special ed. credential and Masters in Education and
began my teaching career as an elementary
RSP teacher in La Puente.
I moved to CVUSD because I wanted
to work closer to home and have more
time with my beautiful family. Currently, I
am at Magnolia Jr. High, where I continue
as an RSP teacher. I have become in-
volved in the union to blend my resource
and advocacy skills and make an impact
on Special Education.