California School Employees Association (CSEA)

Are you or someone you know retiring? Continuing your membership with CSEA is quick and easy. You can have the $3 per month deducted from your CalPERS check or pay $36 annually.

Benefits of membership include access to supplemental voluntary insurance plans, free $5,000 accidental death and dismemberment coverage, guidance and advocacy for Social Security and CalPERS issues, CSEA publications, and much more! For more information, visit csea.com/retiree.

We love to highlight the efforts of outstanding CSEA chapters and positive local stories. If you have a story about your chapter, please complete the survey to be featured on CSEA's social media: csea.com/chapter-chatter.

Are you going to school on a part- or full-time basis? Apply for a Member Career Grant! Applications are now open and are due October 31st. Find the application form and the chapter participation form at csea.com/career-grant.

Joanna Lopez is a Health Clerk and member of Modesto Chapter 7. She has been with CSEA for eight years and said, “Being part of a labor union is important to me because it ensures that employees have a voice, access to resources, and the support needed to advocate for fair treatment and positive working conditions.”

“What I love most about being a classified professional is building meaningful relationships with students and creating a safe, supportive environment for them. I take pride in being someone students can trust and turn to when they need encouragement, guidance, or simply someone to listen. I enjoy bringing positivity into their day and being the cheerleader that some students may not otherwise have in their lives. Over time, I have become a second mother figure to many of my students, and I truly value the opportunity to uplift, motivate, and support them both academically and personally. Knowing that I can make a positive impact in their lives is the most rewarding part of the work I do,” said Lopez.

Join us in recognizing Joanna Lopez on . Want to be featured? Fill out the quick survey csea.com/member-mondays.

Summer starts early this year with Wild Rivers Waterpark in Irvine! Wild Rivers discounted tickets are now online with CSEA. Plan a visit for the upcoming season and by purchasing tickets ahead of time at csea.com/fun. Click “Load More” to view all CSEA’s discounted amusements & attractions.

Wild Rivers

Vision and Dental Insurance Available Through United Insurance Partners!

United Insurance Partners (UIP) offers CSEA members and their families vision and dental plans with low out-of-pocket costs. Plan options are designed for active members and retirees who are not eligible for group coverage through their employer.

Go to csea.com/insurance, click “Load More” to view all CSEA’s insurance options.

CSEA is here to help! Members who are facing a natural disaster or personal tragedy can apply for financial assistance. This fund helps members going through some of the toughest times of their lives and is entirely sourced from member donations.

CSEA offers emergency financial assistance to subsidize losses experienced due to evacuation or loss of a home as the result of a catastrophic event such as an earthquake, fire or flood. Submit an application for emergency assistance now at csea.com/assistance.

Congratulations to Misti Hardy, Natalie Vazquez Halsell and Crystal Villafana-Tafoya for being honored as this year’s Community College Classified Employees of the Year.

⭐ Misti Hardy is a Student Success Intervention Coordinator at Shasta College and a member of Shasta College Chapter 381.

⭐ Natalie Vázquez Halsell is a Professional Development Coordinator at Riverside City College and member of Riverside Comm College Dist Emp Chapter 535.

⭐ Crystal Villafana-Tafoya is a Learning Support Specialist at Barstow College and member of Barstow College Chapter 176.

Thank you for improving the lives of your students!

Read more about Hardy, Vazquez Halsell and Villafana-Tafoya at csea.com/csea-news.

📷 Images Courtesy of the California Community Colleges.

Congratulations to our 2026 K-12 Classified Employees of the Year!

⭐ Jillian Bowerman, Food Service Lead, Hughson Unified Chapter 834
⭐ Angela Cruz, Library Media Technician, Oceanside Unified Chapter 370
⭐ Jorge Orellana, Technology Operations Specialist, Golden Hinde Chapter 719
⭐ Raelene Velasquez, Paraeducator, Orange County DOE Chapter 468

Read more about these four members at csea.com/csea-news.

📷 Images Courtesy of the California Department of Education.

Guess the mystery year . . . ?

This truck driver-turned-bus driver transported Pleasanton students to their destinations in which mystery year from CSEA history?

Share your guess in the comments and check back later to see which year the picture is from.