ATA Weekly
November 14th, 2025
President's Message
November Is the Time to Check In
As we move through November, it’s an important time for our Probationary and Temporary Educators to connect with their site administrators. According to the district’s evaluation timeline, this is when the first observations and follow-up conversations should occur.
If you haven't done so already, now is a great time to check in with your administrator(s) about how your school year is going. These discussions not only help you stay informed about your progress, but also give you an opportunity to highlight your achievements, share what is working well in your classroom or worksite, and demonstrate your growth.
We often hear from members who wish they’d had more communication earlier in the process. Regular check-ins help ensure your efforts are recognized and that there are no surprises down the road.
Don't wait for an evaluation meeting to ask questions or seek feedback. Reach out, share your successes, and make sure your contributions and voice are part of the conversation.
Remember, your colleagues and the ATA are here to support you—whether you need advice on the process or just want to connect with others who have gone through it.
Ralph Hernandez
District Response to Association Grievance
As previously shared, ATA filed an Association Grievance regarding violations of Article XII – Unit Member Work Day, Section E, to ensure collaboration time is mutually developed and maximizes teacher-to-teacher collaboration.
The District has now responded: “The grievance is denied. There is no contract violation.”
We don’t know why they’ve denied it—no explanation was provided. That lack of discussion is, unfortunately, emblematic of a larger issue: a lack of collaboration across multiple fronts. How was this determination made? Were the site administrators simply consulted, and their assurances accepted without question? How do we reconcile this response with the varied experiences that educators across our sites continue to report?
Our collective experiences tell a different story—one in which collaboration time has often become top-down and administrative, deviating from the intent outlined in our contract.
Meaningful collaboration is crucial to our work and the success of our students. Together, we will continue to advocate for what true collaboration should look like.
In response, we will file a Level II Grievance to further address this issue.
This Is Our Moment to Protect Public Education
Time and again, we’ve shown what educators can achieve when we stand together. From local contract victories to supporting statewide measures, our unity has strengthened public education. Now we need that same collective effort to permanently extend Proposition 55.
This isn’t just another policy fight. Without Prop 55, California schools lose $14.6 billion—nearly 15% of statewide education funding. For AUSD, that’s more than $25 million gone. The impact would be immediate and severe: larger classes, fewer programs, and reduced support for the students who need it most.
Our goal is clear: 85% of members signing the petition to place this measure on the 2026 ballot. This will happen through honest conversations—one colleague at a time. When we share our experiences, we remind our community what’s at stake for our classrooms and our students.
Site reps will receive materials to help lead this work. I encourage every member to sign the petition as soon as possible and talk with colleagues about why this matters.
We’ve done this before, and we can do it again. Together, we can protect the funding our students count on.
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month!
November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the history, culture and contributions of Native Peoples. Check out resources from Native Land and NEA to utilize in your classroom to celebrate with your students.
Contact Us
The Alhambra Teachers Association (ATA) exists to protect and promote the well-being of its members; to improve the conditions of teaching and learning; to advance the cause of free, universal, and quality public education; to ensure that the human dignity and civil rights of all children and youth are protected; and to secure a more just equitable and democratic society.
Email: ataoffice3030@gmail.com
Website: www.alhambrateachers.org
Location: 3030 West Main Street, Alhambra, CA, USA
Phone: (626)289-1933
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlhambraTeachersAssociation/