Educators help our students understand the world
From the Executive Director, Edgar Zazueta
January 22, 2024
Passion and purpose to support students are the driving forces for California public school leaders. Our unwavering commitment is evidenced in our ongoing advocacy for the next generation of difference-makers. We work hand-in-hand with teachers and staff to provide our state’s 6 million students with a culturally responsive curriculum that is engaging, meaningful and empowering.
However, the last few years have not been easy.
Educators at all levels have faced unprecedented backlash for protecting the rights of students and advocating for justice on issues connected to racism, homophobia, xenophobia, Islamophobia and antisemitism. The challenges we face force us to stay vigilant to ensure our educators’ right to teach free of intimidation is preserved.
As global citizens, witnessing human catastrophes like those we are seeing in Gaza and the Middle East reminds us of our responsibility to make this world better for students. Our administrators, teachers, classified staff and labor unions are often criticized and targeted for simultaneously educating students and advocating for peace and humanity. Educators are being challenged in many communities for helping students learn about what is happening in our world and how to be critical thinkers and problem solvers.
Our administrators, teachers, classified staff and labor unions are often criticized and targeted for simultaneously educating students and advocating for peace and humanity.
Staying true to ACSA’s mission of advocating for the best interest of students and developing equity-minded leaders, it is incumbent upon us to support educators at all levels for their courage and dedication to all students, especially those who have been historically marginalized. This past year, ACSA advocated on several issues at the state level that support students’ best interests: funding for mental health, stable school funding, increased transparency and school stability, school staffing supports and other various forms of student protections. Additionally, ACSA has allied with the California Association of African-American Superintendents and Administrators, the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators, and the California Association of Asian & Pacific Leaders in Education, to create a structure of solidarity as educational organizations advocating for equity on behalf of students. ACSA has created safe and brave spaces for all our school leaders to be their most authentic selves so that they may be the best leaders for students.
And the work is far from complete.
We share our gratitude and stand in solidarity with educators who advocate on behalf of children and for peace and humanity. We must support educators who are committed to making this a more peaceful and just world where compassion and humanity play a central role in our everyday lives.