2020 Candidates for Area Board of Director
For Board of Director positions, the three NEA candidates and the one AFT candidate with the most votes are elected. There are no run-offs. Elections for Area Chairs, if needed, will be held during the Second Round.
Contested
2020 Valley East Area
NEA UTLA Board of Director
Leonard Goldberg
My name is Leonard Goldberg and I am running for the office of Board of Directors for Valley East.
- Experienced
- Collaborator
- Communicator
- Advocator
I ask for your vote to ensure ALL UTLA members voices are heard -- from the Board, House of Reps, Area Meetings, and the United Teacher newspaper -- everyone matters!
- I have been a chapter chair for over 30 years
- Valley East Steering and Cluster Leader over 10 years
- Valley Easy Unsung Hero and WHO recipient 2017
- Chairperson of the UTLA Pre-Retirement Issues Committee 6 years
- CTA Retirement Committee Chairperson
- Valley East Whip at the NEA/RA 3 years
Please vote Leonard Goldberg, Valley East -- Board of Directors
Let's continue the work that is needed to make for a stronger UTLA!Hector Perez-Roman
As a National Board Certified Teacher at Arleta High School with over 15 years of teaching experience, my passion for public education, our members, students, and the community I serve continues to grow. I am running for Valley East NEA/UTLA Director because of my commitment to empowering chapter chairs/members through one-on-one contract discussions, problem solving school site issues, and organizing against charter co-locations. As part of Union Power leadership, we have successfully protected public education from nefarious attacks, organized a historic 2019 strike, and positively changed the narrative for funding public schools. I have experience as an organizer, public speaker, Arleta High Chapter Chair, CFT Ethnic Diversity in Leadership Committee, delegate to LA County Fed. of Labor and 2019 NEA/CTA RA, and the following UTLA governing bodies: Valley East steering committee, UTLA House of Representatives, and PACE. Vote Hector, Victoria, Jennifer and the entire Union Power Team!
Victoria Casas
As a woman, the only Latina director in the entire valley and an elementary teacher for 23 years, I will empower us to stand up to the conditions that have plagued us all while encouraging and growing future leaders to continue our fight!
As your director my focus will be to assist chapter leaders to:
- Achieve an aggressive union presence at schools to fight for healthcare, bargaining reopeners and enforce our contract
- Examine the effectiveness of their governing councils and how they can be used to improve working conditions (schedules, budgets, etc)
- Establish powerful CATs that also create a pathway for new leaders to grow
- Build a confident and fearless presence at schools to make principals serve as a resource only
- Work with parents
- Hold local superintendents and school boards member accountable for shuffling bully principals in our area
With the UNION POWER team, Hector, Jennifer, and myself will continue to transform our union to a fighting and organizing movement!
Scott Mandel *
I am running for reelection for Valley East NEA Director and Area Chair. My qualifications:
- 35 years teacher with LAUSD
- 12 years Valley East Board of Director member
- 6 years Valley East Area Chair
I’m running on my record of servicing the members of Valley East over the past 6 years. I address members’ problems within hours, and with my connections with the local district, I get them solved. I have had a hand in, or directly influenced, the removal of SEVENTEEN BULLY ADMINISTRATORS over the past 6 years. For references, please contact the staffs of: Brainard EL, Broadous El, Burbank EL, Chavez ASE, Coughlin ES, Fair ES, Lowman SEC, N. Hollywood HS, Strathern EL, Mt. Gleason MS (2), Olive Vista MS, San Fernando EL, Saticoy EL, Strathern EL, Sylmar HS, Verdugo Hills HS.
Please also elect the two Valley East leaders who have regularly assisted me in serving you, the members: Mel House for AFT Director and Leonard Goldberg for NEA Director.
AFT UTLA Board of Director
Jennifer Gottlieb
As a 19 year teacher and an activist for just as long, I am running for Valley East AFT Director. Teaching full time at a high school, I see the power and influence we have as professionals in our communities. Having leadership experience with the Union Power team, I can see that with the public’s trust and building on our momentum from the strike we will continue winning. I want to push for more school site empowerment, encourage new leaders within our ranks and push our affiliates to support organizing at all levels to fight against abusive administrators, enforce our contract and win on our reopeners and healthcare.
I am committed to fight locally, and I understand the needs of our classrooms. I will be a steadfast presence in providing direct support to members and building on systems and structures that have transformed UTLA. Vote for the diverse and progressive Union Power Valley East Team of Victoria, Hector and Jennifer and Vote for the Entire Union Power Team!
Mel House
I am running for re-election to the UTLA Valley East AFT Board seat.
As a board member, I have represented members at disciplinary meetings, ranging from matrix issues, to dangerous working conditions, to bogus write-ups.
Additionally, as both the only PE teacher, and self-identified member of the LGBTQ community currently on the UTLA BOD, it would be a shame to silence those groups in that room. Our policies and practices should reflect our collective voice. Every UTLA member deserves to be heard. It is my job to bring the collective voice of Valley East to the board.
Prior to serving on the board, I was a full dues-paying member of both the NEA and the AFT. I felt it was important to get to know all of our affiliates. I have served as a delegate to both the CFT and AFT Conventions.
I’ve taught for 20 years, 9 of those working FOR our members, defending the contract and participating in affiliate work. I humbly ask for your vote. Please re-elect Mel House.2020 Valley West Area
NEA UTLA Board of Director
* indicates that the candidate is also running for Area Chairperson
Wendi Davis
Wendi Davis for NEA Director Valley West’s voice of integrity in the Boardroom
An NEA Director is the voice of fairness & strength to lead Valley West & fight for all education professionals’ rights. Our team has been proud to support & serve you for two terms, & we are proud to serve you for another term! I will continually seek out all members’ opinions & needs. All education professionals need competent & focused representation even when in the minority, & I fight for what is right for all members. I will never pay lip service to any member & seek all possible remedies to help a member as the board of director’s duty is to respond to the needs of members in need of assistance & representation at school sites.
I will continue to work for Maintenance of Health Benefits, Salary Increases, Smaller Class Size, Elimination of Top-Down District Instructional Mandates.Vote Wendi Davis for VW NEA Director & current NEA Directors Melodie Bitter, Area Chair Bruce Newborn
Bruce Newborn *
I would like to thank, with tremendous appreciation, Valley West members for entrusting me the last 6 years with the honor of being your Area Chair.
Our team has accomplished much during this time. We’ve been able to convince LDNW that some administrators were toxic to their campuses. Additionally, in an unprecedented action, we were able to remove a volatile Staff Relations person from LDNW. Through all this, we’ve been able to maintain a positive working relationship with LDNW.
This is crucial to accomplish what we need to do in the next 3 years.
We believe that YOU COME FIRST!
We will always service our members and continue to work positively with UTLA in organizing for what we need and deserve!
Salary, health care, class size, teachers, nurses, counselors, and all members matter!
Vote Bruce Newborn for Director (Area Chair), Wendi Davis and Melodie Bitter for NEA Directors, and congratulations to Javier Romo for being re-elected as AFT Director
Melodie Bitter
I have been a teacher in Valley West for 32 years and one of your UTLA directors for the past six years.
Throughout my years as your director, my primary goal has been to service the members of Valley West schools. I regularly get back to members within 24 hours, and have been available to help them when faced with difficulties at their school sites.
I’ve also been an advocate of Special Ed on the Board. When Special Ed was basically left out of our last contract, I helped push for UTLA to include it as a reopener for this year’s negotiations.
Our entire team has accomplished much during this time, serving the needs of our members, which is why we want to continue to work together for your benefit, representing Valley West interests on the UTLA Board of Directors.
Vote Bruce Newborn, Melodie Bitter, Wendi Davis for NEA Directors
Uncontested (candidates elected by acclamation)
2020 Valley West Area
AFT UTLA Board of Director
Javier Romo
It will be an honor to continue serving the educators of UTLA for another term as your AFT Valley West Area Director.
I will fight for better salaries & benefits; increase funding for our schools; lowering class size in all grades; reducing mandated assessments & scripted lesson plans; while expanding UTLA members rights. Our union needs to be in a position of strength, along with organizing & mobilizing our members into unity & action.
UTLA must make the members needs its number one priority. We must remember that the essence of UTLA is improving the salary, benefits, & working conditions of its members. UTLA must strive to continue to produce the best learning environment possible for our students. TOGETHER we can stop the attack on public education & defend the rights we have won since 1970.
I urge all my colleagues in Valley West to vote for the VALLEY WEST TEAM, three full-time classroom teachers & experienced leaders.
Melodie Bitter
Wendi Davis
Bruce Newborn2020 North Area
NEA UTLA Board of Director
Karla Griego
My name is Karla Griego and as a 16 year special education teacher, UTLA director and former area chair, I am thrilled to be representing North area. As a director, it gives me great pleasure to introduce Jasmine Wang. Jasmine is running for Bilingual Director. Jasmine is the only candidate in the classroom teaching full time. She is a long time activist in North Area for Bilingual Education and fluent in three languages. Jasmine has a son in a dual language program and understands the power of bilingualism and because she’s in the classroom she knows what teachers are facing every day. Jasmine will fight for the resources and differentials for bilingual teachers. Vote for Jasmine and the entire UNION POWER team! Elect Benny Madera for Substitute Director, Matthew Kogan for Adult Education and the Officer Team Led by Cecily Myart-Cruz for President! Union Power is the team with a vision, strategic plan and experience to continue building power!
Rebecca Solomon
My name is Rebecca Solomon and I am thrilled and excited to continue representing you as one of your North Area Directors. As a teacher of 21 years, I am proud to be on the Union Power Team. One of our members, Matthew Kogan is a candidate for Adult Educators Director. As the current director, Matthew is leading the charge for better pay and benefits for adult educators. As a member of the bargaining team, Matthew played a key role in our last contract wins. Elect Matthew Kogan and the entire UNION POWER Team!
As a team, Union Power has accomplished so much and we are only getting started. In order to continue moving forward and build on our momentum, we must elect the entire UNION POWER team of officers and special categories--your vote will make that happen!
Elect the Union Power Officer Team led by Cecily Myart-Cruz for President, Benny Madera for Substitute Director and Jasmine Wang for Bilingual Director.
Rosa Jimenez *
My name is Rosa Jimenez and I am honored to represent UTLA North Area as your area chair. Teaching social studies for 12 years and being part of Community Schools Steering Committee, I am proud to be part of Union Power. As a team, we have accomplished so much and we are only getting started. In order to continue moving forward and build on our momentum, we must elect the entire UNION POWER team of officers and special categories-your vote will make that happen!
We have won and will continue winning on healthcare, led a historic strike with unprecedented victories from common good wins to salary increases and the elimination of section 1.5. We are now ready for re-opener bargaining that includes special education, HHS staffing, salary and bilingual differentials. We are the team with the vision, strategy and experience to win!
Elect the Union Power Officer Team, Benny Madera: Substitute Director, Jasmine Wang: Bilingual Director and Matthew Kogan: Adult Education.AFT UTLA Board of Director
Mark Ramos
My name is Mark Ramos and I am one of your North Area Directors. I’ve been teaching for over 12 years and I am proud to be on the Union Power Team. One of our members, Benny Madera is a candidate for Substitute Director. As the current director, Benny was instrumental in the substitutes’ victories in our last contract. Benny led the charge with substitutes on the picket line. Now UTLA substitutes are the best paid in the County with incredible benefits. Elect Benny Madera and the entire UNION POWER Team!
As a team, Union Power has accomplished so much and we are only getting started. In order to continue moving forward and build on our momentum, we must elect the entire UNION POWER team of officers and special categories--your vote will make that happen!
Elect the Union Power Officer Team, Benny Madera for Substitute Director, Jasmine Wang for Bilingual Director and Matthew Kogan for Adult Education.
2020 South Area
NEA UTLA Board of Director
Ayde Bravo
Visualize * Strategize* Organize
As your South Area NEA Director for the last 6 years I have lead the political campaigns in the South Area, am a member of the TAPP 39 committee against charter school co-locations, have provided member representation, am a UTLA House of Representative member and have worked feverishly to protect teacher rights.
As the South Area leadership team we stand for:
- Collaborating with all stakeholders to improve working and learning conditions at every site.
- Organizing to fight back against district policies that violate students' educational rights and educator professional and contractual rights.
- Advocating to end over testing our students.
- Creating a safe school environment for educators and students.
- Strengthening each school site through contract education and leadership development.
- Strategizing and organizing to maximize our collective power when bargaining for our health benefits and contract.
Maria Miranda *
Visualize * Strategize * Organize
My name is Maria Miranda, Chapter Chair at Miramonte ES. I am currently the South Area Chair and a South Area NEA Board of Director. I thank you for the opportunity to have served as area chair this past term. I am committed to continue my work as the South Area Chair for the 2020-2023 term. I along with the South Area leadership team will continue to uphold our responsibility as union leaders to represent and defend the interests of all union members. I am looking forward to bolstering our organizing efforts at each school site to not only accomplish chapter specific goals but also attain UTLA citywide goals. Together we have built powerful relationships with each other, with our students and with their parents. It would be an honor to continue working with you and our school communities in strengthening each school site.
UTLA South Area Strong!
Claudia Silva
My name is Claudia Silva and I have served as a South Area leader for over five years. I am the chapter chair at Ninety-Sixth Street Elementary, a Steering Committee member, and Cluster Leader. I’ve also been representing South Area members as a member of UTLA House of Representatives, a PACE member, UTLA Annual Conference Planning Committee member, Platinum Apple Committee member, and State Council Representative. I am a UTLA WHO Award recipient because of my activism in our union. I will work diligently to represent South Area members as one of the South Area Board of Directors. I look forward to joining the South Area leadership team and am excited about working with South Area members at each school site.
UTLA South Area Strong!
AFT UTLA Board of Director
L. Cynthia Matthews
Visualize * Strategize * Organize
I L. Cynthia Matthews have been a teacher for 19 years and currently serve as UTLA chapter chair at McKinley Ave Elementary School. It’s been a pleasure to serve on the UTLA Board of Directors for the last three years. As a member of the Negotiating Team, we successful won a game changing contract agreement for UTLA members. I serve on the Budget committee for UTLA and on the PACE committee. Among the other areas of service are, being active member of the South Area Steering team and serving as Treasurer for South Area. I am a representative member of NEA, AFT and CTA, serving as Chair of the Policy subcommittee on the Assessment and Testing committee for CTA. I represent UTLA on the California Association for Community Schools. I’m looking forward to continue my work in our union together with the South Area leadership team.
UTLA South Area Strong!
2020 East Area
NEA UTLA Board of Director
Adrian Tamayo *
My name is Adrian Tamayo and as a 23-year special education teacher and UTLA East Area Chair, I am thrilled to be on the Union Power Team. As area chair, it gives me great pleasure to introduce Jasmine Wang. Jasmine is running for Bilingual Director. Jasmine is the only candidate in the classroom teaching full time. She is a long time activist in UTLA and a warrior for Bilingual education. Fluent in three languages, a mother of a child in a dual language program, Jasmine understands the power of bilingualism. Because she’s in the classroom, she knows what teachers are facing every day and will fight for the resources and salary differentials for bilingual teachers. Vote for Jasmine and the entire UNION POWER team! Elect Benny Madera for Substitute Director, Matthew Kogan for Adult Education and the Officer Team Led by Cecily Myart-Cruz for President! Union Power is the team with a vision, strategic plan and experience to continue building power!
Yolanda Tamayo
My name is Yolanda Tamayo and I am honored to represent East Area. As a 26-year elementary teacher and co-chair of UTLA’s committee against co-location and privatization, I am proud to be on the Union Power Team. One of our members, Benny Madera is a candidate for Substitute Director. As the current director, Benny was instrumental in the substitutes’ victories in our last contract. Benny led the charge with substitutes on the picket line. Now UTLA substitutes are the best paid in the County with incredible benefits. Elect Benny Madera and the entire UNION POWER Team!
As a team, Union Power has accomplished so much and we are only getting started. In order to continue moving forward and build on our momentum, we must elect the entire UNION POWER team of officers and special categories--your vote will make that happen!
Elect the Union Power Officer Team, Benny Madera for Substitute Director, Jasmine Wang for Bilingual Director and Matthew Kogan for Adult Education
Marcela Chagoya
My name is Marcela Chagoya and I am honored to represent UTLA East Area as one of your directors. I am an 18-year special education teacher, union activist and a proud member of Union Power. As a team we have accomplished so much and we are only getting started. In order to continue moving forward and build on our momentum, we must elect the entire UNION POWER team of officers and special categories. Your vote will make that happen!
We have won and will continue winning on healthcare, led a historic strike with unprecedented victories from common good wins to salary increases and the elimination of section 1.5. We are now gearing up for re-opener bargaining that includes special education, HHS staffing, salary and bilingual differentials. We are the team with the vision, strategy and experience to win!
Elect the Union Power Officer Team, Benny Madera for Substitute Director, Jasmine Wang for Bilingual Director and Matthew Kogan for Adult EducationAFT UTLA Board of Director
Ingrid Gunnell
My name is Ingrid Gunnell and I am honored to represent East Area as one of your directors. As a 22-year veteran and Chair of PACE, I’m proud to be on the Union Power Team. One of our members, Matthew Kogan is a candidate for Adult Educators Director. As the current director, Matthew is leading the charge for better pay and benefits for adult educators. As a member of the bargaining team, Matthew played a key role our last contract wins. Elect Matthew Kogan and the entire UNION POWER Team!
As a team, Union Power has accomplished so much and we are only getting started. In order to continue moving forward and build on our momentum, we must elect the entire UNION POWER team of officers and special categories--your vote will make that happen!
Elect the Union Power Officer Team led by Cecily Myart-Cruz for President, Benny Madera for Substitute Director and Jasmine Wang for Bilingual Director.2020 West Area
NEA UTLA Board of Director
Georgia Flowers-Lee *
My name is Georgia Flowers-Lee and as an 18-year special education teacher and incoming West Area Chair, I am thrilled to be on the Union Power Team. As incoming area chair, it gives me great pleasure to introduce Jasmine Wang. Jasmine is running for Bilingual Director. Jasmine is the only candidate in the classroom teaching full time. She is a long time activist in UTLA and a warrior for Bilingual education. Fluent in three languages, a mother of a child in a dual language program, Jasmine understands the power of bilingualism. Because she’s in the classroom, she knows what teachers are facing every day and will fight for the resources and salary differentials for bilingual teachers. Vote for Jasmine and the entire UNION POWER team!
Benny Madera for Substitute Director, Matthew Kogan for Adult Education and the Officer Team led by Cecily Myart-Cruz for President! Union Power is the team with a vision, strategic plan and experience to continue building power!Marie Germaine
My name is Marie Germaine and I am thrilled and excited to be a part of the UTLA West Area team of directors. As a 23 year teacher, I am looking forward to representing you all. I am also very proud to be on the Union Power Team. One of our members, Matthew Kogan is a candidate for Adult Educators Director. As the current director, Matthew is leading the charge for better pay and benefits for adult educators. As a member of the bargaining team, Matthew played a key role in our last contract wins. Elect Matthew Kogan and the entire UNION POWER Team!
As a team, Union Power has accomplished so much and we are only getting started. In order to continue moving forward and build on our momentum, we must elect the entire UNION POWER team of officers and special categories--your vote will make that happen!
Elect the Union Power Officer Team led by Cecily Myart-Cruz for President, Benny Madera for Substitute Director and Jasmine Wang for Bilingual Director.Jennifer Villaryo
My name is Jennifer Villaryo and as a 15 year elementary teacher, UTLA Director and House of Representative member, I am thrilled to be on the Union Power team. As a team we have accomplished so much and we are only getting started. In order to continue moving forward and build on our momentum, we must elect the entire Union Power team of officers and special categories—your vote will make that happen!
We have won and will continue winning on healthcare, led a historic strike that saw unprecedented victories from common good demands to salary increases and the elimination of section 1.5. We are now gearing up for re-opened bargaining that includes special education, HHS staffing, salary and bilingual differentials. We are the team with the vision, strategy and experience to win!
Elect the Union Power Officer Team, Benny Madera for Substitute Director, Jasmine Wang for Bilingual Director and Matthew Kogan for Adult Education.
AFT UTLA Board of Director
Noah Lippe-Klein
My name is Noah Lippe-Klein and I am one of your West Area Directors. I am a teacher at Dorsey High School, a member of Students Deserve and I am proud to be on the Union Power Team. One of our members, Benny Madera is a candidate for Substitute Director. As the current director, Benny was instrumental in the substitutes’ victories in our last contract. Benny led the charge with substitutes on the picket line. Now UTLA substitutes are the best paid in the County with incredible benefits. Elect Benny Madera and the entire UNION POWER Team!
As a team, Union Power has accomplished so much and we are only getting started. In order to continue moving forward and build on our momentum, we must elect the entire UNION POWER team of officers and special categories--your vote will make that happen!
Elect the Union Power Officer Team, Benny Madera for Substitute Director, Jasmine Wang for Bilingual Director and Matthew Kogan for Adult Education
2020 Central Area
NEA UTLA Board of Director
AFT UTLA Board of Director
2020 Harbor Area
NEA UTLA Board of Director
Jennifer McAfee *
As the Harbor Area Chair, I pledge to:
- Support Chapter Chairs and all members in organizing around site issues and contract enforcement
- Fight against privatization and unwanted co-locations
- Strengthen the communication between chapter chairs and UTLA Leadership to improve LSLC and SSC
- Work tirelessly to support fully funded public schools for our students
- Organize to build coalitions between educators, parents, and the community
Phylis Hoffman
I am a second generation educator and union member. I have been a member of UTLA for 22 years. I am a Nationally Board Certified Teacher. I serve as the chapter chair at Harry Bridges Span School in Wilmington. I have been serving on the House of Representatives for 3 terms now.
As a member of the Harbor Area Board of Directors I pledge to--
- Support chapter chairs and all members in organizing around site issues and contract enforcement
- Fight against privatization and unwanted co-locations
- Strengthen the communication between chapter chairs and UTLA Leadership to improve LSLC and SSC
- Work tirelessly to support fully funded public schools for our students
- Organize to build coalitions between educators, parents and the community
Elizabeth Untalan
As a member of the Harbor Area Board of Directors I pledge to...
- Support Chapter Chairs and all members in organizing around site issues and contract enforcement
- Fight against privatization and unwanted co-locations
- Strengthen the communication between chapter chairs and UTLA Leadership to improve LSLC and SSC
- Work tirelessly to support fully funded public schools for our students
- Organize to build coalitions between educators, parents, and the community
AFT UTLA Board of Director
* indicates that the candidate is also running for Area Chairperson