Candidates for Special Categories Director

Board of Directors (Special Category) includes Adult and Occupational Education, Bilingual Education, Early Childhood Education Centers, Health and Human Services, Special Education and Substitutes.

Note 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 Board of Director – Bilingual Education
Cheryl Ortega
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Statement

In 38 years as an LAUSD bilingual educator and 20 years as UTLA Director of Bilingual Education, I have fought for multilingual students and educators:

Began teaching in the first bilingual program in CA

Recruited and mentored bilingual teachers

Helped author Prop 58 to restore bilingual ed and won

Helped develop the 1st LAUSD Master Plan for ELs

Organized to win across-the-board compensation for dual language educators

Now on Bargaining Team fighting to compensate bilingual HHS and DIS providers

Join officers Gloria Martinez and Alex Orozco, former UTLA president Alex Caputo-Pearl and me in voting for Educators Organizing for Power.

EOP will:

Win big on salary, healthcare, working conditions, special education, and bilingual issues

Fight federal attacks and ICE raids

Enforce the contract and fight mandates and bad principals

Center racial and social justice

Gloria Martinez for President
Alex Orozco for Secondary VP
Lourdes Quevedo for Treasurer
All EOP candidates

Isabel Aguirre
Email

Uncontested

These candidates were unopposed and therefore elected by acclamation.

2025-2026 UTLA Board of Director – Early Education Center (EEC) Director
Brenda Brown
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Facebook
Statement
Elected

I am running for a third term on the Early Childhood Education Center (EEC) Board of Directors. With three decades of experience teaching preschool, including 20 years as a head teacher, and as the current chapter chair, I remain committed to elevating the voices of EEC teachers and driving meaningful outcomes. My focus continues to be advocating for our resilience, our unique needs, and the essential role we play in early childhood education. I believe strongly in representing and supporting EEC teachers through stronger advocacy, clear communication, and a platform that ensures our contributions are fully recognized. Teachers deserve equitable wages, expanded pathways to PK–3 credentials, and an updated salary table that reflects true professional growth without leaving members stuck. I will continue to champion improved working conditions, retirement security so that all teachers will thrive. Let’s continue building together - working in unity for respect, inclusion, and the fair,

2025-2026 UTLA Board of Director – Substitute Teachers
Francisco Martinez
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Statement
Elected

I appreciate your confidence in re-electing me and I look forward to continuing to build power with you.

As your Substitute Director, I am committed to continue the organizing and momentum that has led us to winning over these past years on salary, working conditions, healthcare, school site fights, and social/racial justice. We must win much more.

We need a team to take UTLA to the next level. That is why I am asking that you join me, current officers Gloria Martinez and Alex Orozco, former UTLA president Alex Caputo-Pearl in voting for the Educators Organizing for Power candidates.

EOP will:

Win big on salary, healthcare, working conditions, special education, and substitute educator issues
Fight federal attacks and ICE raids
Enforce the contract and top-down fight mandates and bad principals
Center racial and social justice

Gloria Martinez for President
Alex Orozco for Secondary VP
Lourdes Quevedo for Treasurer
Cheryl Ortega, Bilingual BOD and all EOP Board Candidates

2025-2026 UTLA Board of Director – Health & Human Services
Kyoko Bristow
Email
Statement
Elected

Hi, I’m Kyoko Bristow, speech language pathologist (SLP) in the East area and parent of three LAUSD students. I have served as a chapter chair for SLPs, on the East area steering committee, and on the current bargaining team.

I am grateful for this opportunity to represent Heath and Human Services members on UTLA’s Board of Directors. I have learned so much from HHS members and look forward to continuing to fight and win together.

2025-2026 UTLA Board of Director – Adult Education
Kevin Jordan
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Statement
Elected

I appreciate your confidence in re-electing me and I look forward to continuing to build power with you.

As your Adult Ed Director, I am committed to continue the organizing and momentum that has led us to winning over these past years on salary, working conditions, healthcare, school site fights, and social/racial justice. We must win much more.

We need a team to take UTLA to the next level. That is why I am asking that you join me, current officers Gloria Martinez and Alex Orozco, former UTLA president Alex Caputo-Pearl in voting for the Educators Organizing for Power candidates.

EOP will:

Win big on salary, healthcare, working conditions, special education, and adult education issues

Fight federal attacks and ICE raids

Enforce the contract and fight top-down mandates and bad principals

Center racial and social justice

Gloria Martinez for President
Alex Orozco for Secondary VP
Lourdes Quevedo for Treasurer
Cheryl Ortega, Bilingual BOD

and all EOP Board Candidates

2025-2026 UTLA Board of Director – Special Education
Deborah Schneider Solis
Email
Elected