CTA Honors Palm Springs Teacher for Promoting Civil Rights

PALM SPRINGS, CA — A second-grade teacher from Palm Springs is among nine educators who have been honored by the California Teachers Association for their commitment to social justice and for promoting human and civil rights, both in the classroom and in their wider school communities.

The CTA's annual Human Rights Awards were presented Saturday at the CTA Equity and Human Rights Conference in Los Angeles.

Among the honorees was Christina Alaniz, who received the American Indian/Alaska Native Human Rights Award in honor of Jim Clark.

Alaniz, who still lives on the Morongo Band of Mission Indians' reservation where she was raised, is committed to bringing culturally relevant education to students, according to the CTA.

She has written ethnic studies curriculum and works to represent the Native community in education and social settings. She has served the past seven years on her school site council, is a member of the Palm Springs Teachers Association, a member of an anti-racist coalition, and is creating a Native American Advisory Council to bring together the Palm Springs and Native communities to advocate on behalf of students.

"At a time when there are far too many outside forces seeking to stoke division and fear, these inspired educators are showing us how to tackle our past and present honestly, confront injustice, and educate with integrity and courage," CTA President E. Toby Boyd said. "They are showing us how to create a more equitable future so that all our students can think critically, see themselves in our classrooms and curriculum and have the opportunity to succeed."

—City News Service