In her short time with the California Corps, Sylvia Kerr says she has gotten “a better understanding of legislators, how the budget gets passed, and where the money goes.” She’s also learned “how First 5 money comes about.” That’s important, because Fillmore Elementary School in Stockton, where she’s a preschool teacher, receives preschool funding from First 5. Being with the Corps has also made Kerr feel part of something bigger: “I’m not just advocating for myself, but for all early childhood educators.”

Advocating for CARES

Kerr was already a member of the California Association for the Education of Young Children, but got involved in the Corps after receiving an email about it.  “I decided to investigate what they were about,” she says. “It was something new that I had never heard about.”

One month after she joined the Corps, organizers invited Kerr to attend the Child Care Working Group, an annual policy meeting in Sacramento. In particular, says Kerr, “the Corps was there to advocate for the CARES program and AB212 funding.” Through AB 212 professional education stipends, Kerr has received up to $2,000 annually to help “pay off my school loans or buy a new computer.”

“You’re a teacher?”

The Child Care Working Group meeting was “an eye-opener for me,” says Kerr.  “I learned about the legislators’ votes on child care and the importance of funding programs like CARES and licensing.

“Normally teachers don’t ever go to these meetings,” Kerr discovered.  “When I announced that I was a teacher, the lady next to me said ‘you’re a teacher?’ I think she was just surprised to see teachers there.”

“We know what goes on”

But it’s important for teachers to be represented at policy meetings, says Kerr, “because we’re in the trenches—we know what goes on in the classroom (and) what the needs of the children and families are. I get my fair share of grandparents raising children, children coming hungry to school, children with speech or behavioral problems.” And, she adds, “Teachers can really benefit from writing letters to legislators!”

To get more teachers involved in policy and professional activities, Kerr is looking forward to recruiting more San Joaquin Valley early childhood educators.  At a “big career day on professionalism in April, we’ll be there representing the Corps.” 

Look for the Corps at CAEYC!

• Fri. 2:00-3:30pm, Center for Social Change: Teachers’ discussion on rewards and challenges in ECE today
• Fri. 5:00-6:30pm reception: Corps and California EC Mentor Program, Sheraton Grand
• Sat. 11:00am -12:30pm, Convention Center rm 304: Budget issues affecting ECE
• Share stories and responses on ECE today at the Corps table in the Center for Social Change

Also of interest:

• Fri. 9:00-10:30am, Convention Center, Room 205, W4QCC workshop on CARES,

For More Information, Contact:

• Alameda: Marva Lyons, 510-521-3997 and Margaret Costello-Chevis, 510-226-9414
• Butte: Jennifer Ferrini, 530-893-2443
• Contra Costa: Donna Daly, 925-833-0834
• Humboldt: Danielle Koren, 707-443-2497
• Los Angeles: Catherine Scott, 562-572-9939
• Riverside: Tamara Dobson, 951-340-3186
• San Diego: Katy Kenshur, 760-436-3725
• San Francisco: Valentina Feldman, 415-861-5361
• San Joaquin: Bettina Engleman, 209-601-9467
• San Mateo: Silvia Espinoza, 650-359-4675
• Santa Barbara: Christine Fleenor, 805-937-0675
• Shasta: Carol VonBrandt, 530-365-1931
• Solano: June Regis, 707-439-0876
   

If your county is not listed above, contact Sara Hicks-Kilday at cares@caccwrc.org, 415-808-7327. For Spanish, contact Teresa Calle-Streicker, 415-821-7871.