Leading a union can be difficult. Even more difficult? Leading the educators union in the second-largest school district in the country, United Teachers Los Angeles, through the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, we talk to the woman who did just that: immediate Past President of UTLA, Cecily Myart-Cruz. She was also the first woman of color to be elected to the position.
During her tenure, she made strides in racial justice and protections for immigrants. She helped secure more financial protections for the district, its workers, and more. Under her leadership, UTLA was able to expand what is possible through organizing that includes the community, not just its members. But now, public schools across the country are under attack from the right, including the Trump Administration’s plans to dismantle the Department of Education.
As she steps away from the position, she joins us to talk about her tenure from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to her transition to a new role as a member of the National Education Association’s Executive Committee. We’ll also discuss the threats currently facing public education–a foundational piece of our democracy–everywhere.
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Episode Guests
Cecily Myart-Cruz is a mother of a son in LAUSD, an educator, activist and the immediate Past President of United Teachers Los Angeles. The first woman of color in the union’s 56 year history, having previously served as UTLA/NEA Vice President for six years. Cecily has taught for 28 years at both elementary and middle school levels. As a UTLA Area leader, she has worked with schools, parents, students, and the community to oust 28 “bully lemon principals.” Cecily has collaborated with school communities in initiating the year-long boycott of district periodic assessments in protest of excessive testing of our students. She is no stranger in taking direct action, whether it is fighting against co-locations, demanding ethnic studies for our students, declaring the end the criminalization of youth, local and statewide lobbying efforts and much more.
Cecily has worked with school-site leaders to build protests, community walks, and community forums that prevented school giveaways and included key stakeholder voices. She has helped shape racial justice within the work of the Union through critical dialogue, workshops, forums, and conferences–all the while making sure student voices are front and center.
Lastly, Cecily has continued to build strength and power for UTLA through a strong relationship with local, statewide, and national leaders, within both affiliates.