PreK-12
PreK-12
The voice of classroom teachers in California
The EC/TK-12 Council ensures that early childhood educators and TK-12 teachers have a voice within CFT, in the California Legislature, at the State Board of Education, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and other venues where education policy is developed. The Council is a fierce advocate for teachers having the necessary tools to do their jobs and for California students to have access to the highest quality education.
Council officers
Delegates from member local unions in the division elect officers of the EC/TK-12 Council. You can reach the elected leaders by emailing them below.
Rico Tamayo, President
El Rancho Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 3467
Elaine Merriweather, Senior Vice President
United Educators of San Francisco, Local 61
Steven McDougall, Northern Vice President
Salinas Valley Federation of Teachers, Local 1020
Ingrid Gunnell, Southern Vice President
United Teachers Los Angeles, Local 1021
Tanya Golden, Secretary
ABC Federation of Teachers, Local 2317
The EC/TK-12 Council Constitution governs the division.
PreK-12 Council leads the way on educational issues
Download a single-sheet illustrated history of the EC/TK-12 Council
The CFT originally formed as a union of K-12 teachers. As other education workers joined, the membership of CFT diversified. Because the CFT had a working group of teachers — called the QuEST Council — which dealt with curriculum and policy issues, and reviewed current legislation, there was little pressure for a separate K-12 council.