Meet CTA Aspiring Educators
CTA Aspiring Educators (CTA-AE) is for anyone aspiring to be a teacher, school librarian, social worker, psychologist, school nurse or college faculty member. CTA Aspiring Educators serves as the collective voice for aspiring educators and advocates for what we believe to be fair and just, not only for ourselves, but for our future students.
The mission is guided by our four core values – teacher quality, community outreach, diversity, and advocacy.
Upcoming Events
June 17-18, 2025 | CTA-AE Board Meeting | CTA HQ, Burlingame
August 16-17, 2025 | CTA-AE Board Meeting | CTA HQ, Burlingame
September 20-21, 2025 | CTA-AE Board Meeting | CTA HQ, Burlingame
October 10-11, 2025 | CTA-AE Board Meeting | Virtual
November 8-9, 2025 | CTA-AE Fall Event | CTA HQ, Burlingame
January 10-11, 2026 | CTA-AE Board Meeting | Virtual
February 21-22, 2026 | CTA-AE Board Meeting | CTA HQ, Burlingame
March 21-22, 2026 | CTA-AE Board Meeting | Virtual
April 18-19, 2026 | CTA-AE Spring Event | Southern California, TBD
June 13-14, 2026 | CTA-AE Board Meeting | Virtual
Become a CTA Aspiring Educator
CTA Aspiring Educators membership brings together like-minded people who share a passion for education. Membership offers opportunities to engage in personal and professional development, increase your voice and have a medium for social change – the ability to fight for what you believe in.
As aspiring educators, we see issues in the education system, teaching practices, and obstacles to teacher preparation. Our union allows us to come together to work towards systemic change. We act as a collaborative community fighting for racial and social justice in our public school system.
Our organization is…
- A nation-wide collective effort organized at the national, state, and local level.
- A supporter of public education, whether in the class, at the school site, or policy level.
- Consistently evaluating where inequities exist.
- Multiple opportunities that allow members to have their unique experiences.
Our organization is not…
- Exclusively a club on campus.
- Focused exclusively around teaching practices.
- Interested in maintaining the status quo.
- A set path for everyone.
Start a CTA Aspiring Educators Chapter
CTA Aspiring Educator Chapters are at the heart of CTA-AE! There are five easy steps to becoming a CTA-AE Chapter:
- Fill out the Chapter Recognition Form below or at: 2025-2026 Chapter Recognition Form;
- Show proof of official club status on campus;
- Show proof of elected leadership, ie: Chapter President;
- Show proof of at least one advisor, ie: faculty in your campus School of Education; and
- Share your governing documents, ie: Chapter By-Laws.
In addition to all the benefits of being a CTA-AE Member, Recognized CTA-AE Chapters receive additional benefits like:
- Scholarships to attend CTA-AE’s events like our Fall Event or Spring Event and Representative Assembly;
- CTA-AE gear;
- Opportunity to meet with CTA-AE Chapters across the state and with NEA AE Chapters across the nation; and
- Voting rights at CTA-AE’s Representative Assembly.
Officers and Statewide Board
CTA Aspiring Educators officers and statewide board members are elected to ensure the needs of aspiring educators are addressed.
Benefits and Services
We Represent You
- Before California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, which accredits teacher-education programs, sets credential standards and fees, and develops and administers statewide tests.
- On CTA minority caucuses, (African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Hispanic), on caucuses related to disabilities and early childhood, and on the CTA Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee.
- Before other state and federal education boards and committees.
- By lobbying and testifying in Sacramento and Washington, DC, when legislation affects us (testing, tuition, financial aid, etc.).
- With voting participants on the CTA State Council of Education and on special CTA task forces on issues that directly affect students and beginning teachers.
- On the NEA Board of Directors, on NEA committees and as delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly.
We Keep You Informed
CTA Aspiring Educators members receive:
- CTA Aspiring Educators I Choose to Teach statewide newsletter
- California Educator – CTA’s statewide professional magazine
- NEA Today – national professional newspaper
- Tomorrow’s Teachers publications
We Protect You
- $1,000,000 liability insurance and legal protection when you work with students as a part of your preparation to be a teacher
- A life insurance benefit that increases with each year of continuous CTA membership up to $2,000
- $1,000 accidental death and dismemberment insurance
- Low rates on auto, homeowners/renters insurance
- Disaster Relief Fund through FACT provides grants and no-cost interest loans to teachers who are victims of natural disasters in the state
Professional Services
- Legal assistance on specified credential matters
- Research services – studies, publications, etc.
- Key job contacts
- Salary-schedule information
- Workshops and conferences
- Scholarships available
Economic Services
- Credit union privileges
- Discount on movie tickets, museums, amusement park entrance fees, new and used cars through the auto purchasing program, cruises, hotels, rental cars and vacation packages
Making Your CTA Aspiring Educators Chapter Shine
Make the best CTA Aspiring Educators chapter ever! Get resources for funding, student awards, starting a chapter, planning events and more.
Celebrating Aspiring Educators
Each year CTA Aspiring Educators recognizes the contributions of our members, chapters and advisors. CTA Aspiring Educators Awards are presented at the CTA Aspiring Educators Representative Assembly (the annual business meeting of the association) each spring.
Individual Award Categories include the CTA Aspiring Educators W.H.O. (We Honor Ours) Award, the Outstanding Chapter Advisor(s), and the Virginia Ann Shadwick Human Rights Award. The Chapter Award Categories include awards for Outstanding Local Chapter and Chapter Membership Recognition.
For questions about CTA Aspiring Educators awards, email cta-ae@cta.org.
Dismantling CBEST and RICA
- High stakes, standardized tests do not evaluate whether a candidate will be a good teacher.
- The policy and practice of using these exams has institutionalized racial disparities and ensures lack of diversity within the profession.
- The excessive costs associated with taking these tests once – let alone twice – can inhibit many students from proceeding forward in the credentialing process.
- The complex maze of alternatives to these high-stakes standardized tests can be equally or more costly and time consuming.
- Students seek out alternatives, such as Teach for America, which supports the corporate education reform model.
- This only beneficiary to this system is Pearson Vue.