Candidates for Citywide Officer
Candidates for Citywide office need to win with a 50% plus 1 majority vote. If no candidate has a majority, there will be a run-off in the Second Round.
Note Candidate-provided photos, flyers, statements, and links will be added in the order that they are received. Candidate statements/flyers are not UTLA’s statements/flyers. UTLA does not edit, censor, or endorse any of them. Elections Committee produced candidate video statements and Q&As for those who participate will be added at a later date.
Contested
2025-2026 UTLA President
Ingrid Villeda
People everywhere in the country face oppression from the current government. Here at home, we face a district bureaucracy that doesn’t see the humanity in all of us.
My name is Ingrid Villeda, and I am asking for your vote for UTLA President.
For over 24 years, I have served UTLA at the local, state, and national level. My experience includes organizing school sites to enforce contract wins, organizing against administrators that oppress students, community, and educator rights. I’ve organized to protect our public schools against charter schools and privatizers for two decades.
As a member of the expanded bargaining team, I know that we MUST continue to demand healthcare benefits, better working and living conditions, and pay raises that actually make a difference in the quality of our lives.
UTLA can do so much more for our members and our students. The unprecedented times we are all facing will require political experience, bold solutions and swift action. I am the only candidate willing and prepared to do that.
Together we will persevere. I have hope because throughout the years I have met so many of you and I know that when we are together, standing side by side we are powerful. Our students and the families we serve are counting on us not just as educators but as the beacons of society. We are the leadership for THIS moment.
I ask that you recognize what is ahead, the needs we will face and that you vote for me and the Educator Power educators. We are the educators currently on the front lines, changing the narrative across the country, demonstrating daily that we can protect our students and communities. We have the experience and are ready to lead on day one.
As a 6th grade teacher and Community School Coordinator I know the passion and commitment that we all bring to our school sites, thank you for your support.
Let’s continue to build power and move forward! Elect the team with vision, experience and strength. Vote for EducatorPower2026!
2025-2026 UTLA NEA Vice President
Jessica Rodarte
I am Jessica Rodarte and am running for NEA VP for UTLA. I taught secondary Social Studies within LAUSD for the last 20 years. This path has led me to many leadership and learning experiences, but some of the most important learning experiences I have had have been within UTLA and our affiliates (CTA/NEA). Within these spaces I have learned about the legislative process, Ethnic Studies, due process of educators, Ed Code, and even my own identity as a detribalized Indigenous person with roots in Mexico and El Salvador.
I’ve had ample opportunity to practice organizing and leadership as a North Area Director for the UTLA Board of Directors, and as the Secretary for the Civil Rights in Education committee of CTA. In both of these positions I have advocated for undocumented immigrants, transnational liberation, LGBTQIA rights, and the affirming of all of our students. These positions have allowed me to understand how we can create change at both the local and state levels. As UTLA Chair and Vice Chair for Cortines School of VAPA from Fall of 2022 to Summer of 2024, I organized multiple actions, including engaging members in the SEIU solidarity strike. I was also part of the UTLA-LAUSD Ethnic Studies committee that developed the introductory Ethnic Studies course.
My organizing skills were later sharpened through Ed Defense. I organized mutual aid for the victims of the Eaton/Palisades Fire and now for DACA educators needing help with renewal fees. I am currently also helping to lead community patrols against deportations. Through this work, I’ve been connecting with students and educators across the country. I feel our UTLA leadership needs to challenge the rising authoritarianism and censorship that our country is experiencing. This is why I am running to serve as your NEA VP. I am ready to fight for you and our students!
Let’s continue to build power and move forward! Elect the team with vision, experience and strength! Vote for EducatorPower2026!
Georgia Flowers Lee
2025-2026 UTLA AFT Vice President
Julie Van Winkle
I am running for re-election as AFT Vice President because I want to build on the work that the officers and I have been doing, and also to address the urgency of this time. Public institutions are in danger, and the economy is only working for the very rich -- not for us and not for our students' families. As UTLA's influence grows, we need leaders who will be bold and fight back.
I am proud of the work I have done as AFT Vice President to build relationships with other unions, the LA Labor Fed, and progressive politicians. During these volatile political times, I believe that we have an opportunity to make change on a scale that might not be possible during more "precedented" times. I see UTLA's political program as a vehicle to win Medicare for All, childcare for all, and housing affordability. I am tired of politicians telling us that such things are not possible, even as corporations and billionaires continue to increase their wealth. Much of my work involves bringing people from different organizations together, having tough conversations, and seeing how we can all work together to make life for working people better. I want to continue to do this work.
I am proud of the work I have done at the bargaining table. Specifically, I am proud to have written contract language on climate justice, LGBTQIA+ rights, more prep time for educators, and free/low-cost childcare. My ability to be bold and to think outside the box is an asset for the Bargaining Team, and I would like to continue leading in that space.
Finally, I am running for AFT Vice President because I am an independent voice who is loyal to the principles of racial, social, and economic justice -- not to individuals. I hope that you vote for leaders who will be bold and brave during these times. Experience matters, but so does grassroots activism. I will be voting for candidates individually and not limiting myself to one slate, and I invite you to join me.
Guadalupe Carrasco Cardona
As an experienced 25-year public school educator, I, Lupe Carrasco Cardona, am running for the position of UTLA AFT Vice-President. I am passionate about fighting for educator working conditions and ensuring that our voices are heard in the decision-making processes that affect our schools. If elected as AFT Vice-President, I will advocate for collective rights, equitable resources, fully-funded healthcare, and work tirelessly to empower educators within our ranks in solidarity with our siblings across the nation.
Throughout my career, I have been unwavering in my commitment to organizing for Ethnic Studies at the grassroots level and through our union spaces. If elected I will continue to fight alongside my local and national educator siblings to ensure that academic freedom is afforded us and we are respected as experts in our fields.
I serve as a California Teachers Association delegate and am honored to be Secretary of CTA American Indian/Alaska Native Caucus. As Chair of Association of Raza Educators Los Angeles I have organized alongside educators throughout greater LA to ensure that educators, students and families have the same rights as the district. If elected, I will vigorously advocate for Indigenous and students/educators of color, ensuring our voices are heard and needs are met.
I have developed curriculum and professional learning opportunities focused on Ethnic Studies and Community Self-defense Against ICE Terror, addressing critical issues at local, state, and national levels. My educational philosophy centers on the belief that every student and educator deserves the right to learn in a safe, nurturing environment that recognizes their identity and promotes academic freedom. I will continue to work tirelessly at local and national levels to organize educators for working conditions and respect we deserve.
Let’s continue to build power and move forward! Elect the team with vision, experience and strength! Vote for @EducatorPower2026.
2025-2026 UTLA Elementary Vice President
Skye Tooley
In this moment in history, we have seen our communities attacked viciously and our First Amendment rights stripped. As educators, we have seen our occupation attacked, federal funding decimated, and individual educators doxxed and targeted for teaching inclusivity. I am running for UTLA Elementary VP because we need concise, focused leadership for THIS moment!
As an educator for eleven years, I bring my experience and understanding of the multiple issues our elementary educators are facing. From over testing (iReady), to lack of support with inclusion schools, to targeting schools by calling them “priority”, I stand with fellow elementary educators with their frustration at the district's lack of care for our communities.
As an educator who is openly trans, I have faced attacks from parents, administration and far right groups on social media. Instead of caving to these attacks, I began organizing. I have organized around workers rights in UTLA and outside with grassroots organizations. As a UTLA member, I’ve worked at a national, state and local level including working collaboratively in expanded bargaining and organized as a chapter chair and steering member.
At the grassroots level, I cofounded Educator Defense Network and worked with our group to organize campaigns to help support UTLA members including overturning the non-reelect of probationary educator Henry Zahid and raising over $12,000 for UTLA members impacted by the 2025 wildfires. Independently, I've helped organize vigils, protests, mutual aid funds, social media campaigns and more in the past seven years including the Children’s Hospital protests. When we uplift the most marginalized, we uplift everyone.
I’d be honored to have your vote and support for our Educator Power Slate! We each bring a unique, strong organizing ability to UTLA and will stand firm against those that want to see public education dismantled.
Elect the team with vision, experience and strength! Vote for EducatorPower2026!
2025-2026 UTLA Secondary Vice President
Ron Gochez
This election isn’t happening in ordinary times. Our profession, our students and communities we serve are under attack. UTLA can’t afford to have a leadership that would take us backwards. We need proven leadership with the political understanding and experience necessary for this historic moment. I’m running for UTLA Secondary Vice President and I’m the only candidate with the political & organizing experience necessary for THIS moment!
I’ve been an organizer for 25 years on issues such as worker’s rights, Black & Brown unity, police brutality, (im)migrant rights, anti-war and many others. I’ve led over a dozen successful campaigns and founded several organizations/coalitions that have improved the lives of millions of people. I’ve accomplished this while being a teacher for 20 years.
As a UTLA member, I’ve:
- Represented my campus Chapter Chair
- Served as a Member for House of Reps
- Spearheaded the removal of a bully principal (Santee HS, 2007)
- Co-lead the Ethnic Studies NOW! Campaign that implemented Ethnic Studies in LAUSD (2014)
- Organized against a charter school co-location
- Organized with LGBTQ+ students, creating the first gender-neutral restroom at LAUSD school (Santee HS, April 2016)
- Coordinated press conferences, rallies, community support for UTLA strikes (2019, 2023)
I’ll work tirelessly to train and prepare our members with the organizing skills necessary to strengthen UTLA and defend our communities from Trump and ICE. Educator Power 2026 is determined to do something that UTLA has never done before; we will unite our labor struggle with community-based struggles. Joining forces will improve working conditions and salaries for educators as well as living conditions for Angelenos.
I would be honored to have your vote and support for our Educator Power candidates. We are the leadership needed for THIS moment! Let’s continue to build power and move forward! Elect the team with vision, experience and strength! Vote for EducatorPower2026!
2025-2026 UTLA Treasurer
Denisha Jordan
Denisha Jordan, M.Ed
I have been leading and supporting members as a secondary teacher for 23 years. I’m running for the office of Treasurer because, as an active UTLA member and leader, I believe I can make an even greater difference in supporting our members, which has been one of the most rewarding parts of my current work. I take great pride in my ability to relate to all members, my passion for student advocacy, and my integrity.
My experience within UTLA and CTA has prepared me to serve as your next UTLA Treasurer. As a member of the CTA Budget Committee, I use direct member input to help shape our annual budget. My goal is to create more opportunities for members to engage in decision-making and to better understand UTLA’s internal structures. As Service Center Treasurer, I actively recruited members to attend conferences and conventions, deepening our union’s involvement at both local and affiliate levels. As UTLA Treasurer, I will keep our union financially strong by increasing revenue through member recruitment while ensuring that UTLA’s racial and social justice values are reflected in our budget priorities.
In my current role as UTLA Statewide Organizer for the We Can’t Wait campaign, I’ve visited members across all eight UTLA areas, so I understand that each area has unique needs and challenges. Additionally, this role has also allowed me to build relationships with neighboring teacher unions, community organizations, and elected officials—connections that strengthen our collective advocacy and ensure UTLA’s priorities are supported beyond our membership.
I am proud to be on the Fighting Forward in Unity team with Jen McAfee, Georgia Flowers-Lee, and Maria Miranda. We believe in building relationships, listening to members, and strengthening our union through collaboration. These unprecedented times demand that we move forward together, because a united UTLA is a stronger UTLA.
A vote for me is a vote for Fighting Forward in Unity!
Clemen Avalos
I lead a citywide chapter supporting over 200 psychologists in Region North where I have been a school psychologist for over 10 years.
As UTLA treasurer, I will ensure our dues are used for members’ needs, with transparency. Including fighting for stronger contracts, providing professional development, supporting members in times of crisis, or amplifying our collective voice in policy and advocacy.
I am a grassroots organizer. I patrol my community against ICE terror and have trained over 2,000 educators and community members to similarly defend our schools and communities. As a founding member of Educator Defense Network, I helped raise $12,000+ for UTLA members impacted by the 2025 wildfires and we are currently fundraising to help DACA members pay renewal fees. We also led the successful campaign to overturn the non-reelect of probationary educator Henry Zahid.
Additionally, as an itinerant chapter chair, I know the unique difficulties that educators face on two fronts, against the district’s bullying and intimidation tactics and our union’s lack of support. As an officer, I will facilitate trainings to help members learn the structures of our union. Not just to mobilize but to achieve effective results that impact our working conditions directly. Our union should be member driven where decisions are made for us-by us.
As an HOR member, CTA rep, and NEA delegate, I’ve strengthened my leadership by deepening my understanding of union structures and organizing members for meaningful change. I’m a leader in Educators for Justice in Palestine where I have worked to change policy in our union.My goal is to serve all members, put my training and knowledge into practice and help others organize at their school sites. I have experience and I am ready to lead.
This year, let’s recognize the need for change in our union’s leadership. Let’s continue to build power and move forward! Elect the team with vision, experience and strength! Vote for EducatorPower2026!
2025-2026 UTLA Secretary
Jennifer McAfee
Chris Wenell
I’m Chris Wenell, and I want to earn your vote for UTLA Secretary. I will bring precision and collaboration to the office of Secretary. Before teaching I was a payroll specialist at a global law firm, routinely handling confidential records and processing multimillion-dollar transactions weekly. As a chapter chair and co-chair, my professional collaboration yielded sustained increases in enrollment and attendance at two different schools. My school has ranked highest in school board district campaign door knocking. I successfully proposed via UTLA-LAUSD Grading Taskforce permissive language (instead of prohibitive) for teachers in LAUSD’s revised Bulletin on Secondary Grading.
As Secretary, I want to see all UTLA members treated fairly and respectfully. I want every member’s ballot to count. I want our Area Meetings to be opportunities for members to discuss, strategize, and act collectively on issues they face.
I’m ready to move UTLA and LAUSD in collaboration to improve enrollment. It’s time to start innovating and expanding school options, like afternoon programs and independent study. We must strategically coordinate policies for a new era of public education, according to the needs of workers and families in our communities.
We want to see UTLA as the force of harmony driving a broad worker-centered movement. It’s time to unite all workers, to unify and combine for national mass action. It’s time to harmonize against worker terror and to move toward worker justice. Public school funding must be prioritized on all the legislative agendas.
With over a decade of experience as an educator, English teacher and Special Education coordinator, I’m ready to represent our members. I serve currently on the UTLA Board of Directors and as a Delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly. I hope to meet and learn from you.
