Chico Unified Teachers Association

04/09/2026

Chico Unified's school board makes important decisions that impact both students and union members! CUTA endorses the following candidates for the upcoming school board elections.

TA - Trustee Area based off of where you live

03/02/2026

Fun and rewarding week last week for CUTA! Check out some photos below and comment what books you are currently reading with your families 📚

Thursday - CUTA members participated in Empty Bowls a fundraiser that benefits the Torres Community Shelter. Huge shoutout to CUTA member Kelly Noble at Neal Dow for her amazing work in putting the event on!

Sunday - CUTA members participated in Read Across American an event that promotes literacy and diverse books!

01/27/2026

It’s meet a member monday! Thank you to all of our amazing educators working hard to educate our youth. Today meet Hamilton over at LCC, thank you for your commitment to our students Hamilton! 🍎📚🏈

Name: Hamilton Jimenez
School: Little Chico Creek
Subject/Grade: 4th grade
Years teaching: 2

What I do when I’m not teaching: I like to golf and staying active by walking my dog or going to the gym.

Best thing about working with students: Building rapport with them.

Inspired by: Coaches and all of my teachers.

Quote from a fellow CUTA member: “Mr. H contributes so much to our school! He works hard for his students, helping them develop perseverance and build confidence as students and athletes. I appreciate his positive energy, collaboration, and his great sense of humor, essential trait for every teacher”. - Kristen Thomas LCC

01/21/2026

What are you doing February 26, 2026? Grab a ticket, donate, volunteer, or spread the word!

Empty Bowls True North's longest-running fundraiser, benefiting our Torres Community Shelter! You enjoy a soup and bread dinner and take home a unique bowl hand-crafted by a student in our local public schools or one of our guests experiencing homelessness.

01/12/2026

Chico Unified Teachers Association has a membership of over 700 talented, hardworking educators who are dedicated to their students, to public education, and to the teaching profession. Together we are stronger, together we are CUTA. Meet CUTA member Kelly Dennis!

Name: Kelly Dennis
School: Ho**er Oak
Subject/Grade: Third Grade
Years teaching: 21

What I do when I’m not teaching: I enjoy reading, spending time outdoors, and traveling. Since I’m also a mom, I do a lot of driving around town to various activities, cooking, and cleaning.

Currently reading: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Best thing about working with students: The best thing about working with kids is when they finally get a concept that you’ve been teaching for a while. Their jokes and sense of humor keep me entertained. I also love that no day is ever exactly the same - they keep me on my toes!

Advice for new teachers: My advice for new teachers is to make time for yourself. I know you’ll spend a lot of time making sure that things are running smoothly but it’s so important to take care of yourself.

Inspired by: I’ve been inspired by so many amazing teachers - both as a student and as a teacher. My third grade teacher, Mrs. Vierra, helped me discover a love of reading through her read alouds (many of those books I’ve read to my own classes). My college professor, Katy Early, showed me how to love math and teach in a way that developed understanding. My colleagues at Ho**er Oak inspire me each day with their creative thinking and caring about the whole child.

Quote from a fellow CUTA member: "Ms. Kelly is a hard-working, caring, and dedicated teacher that makes a lasting difference far beyond the classroom. Through her patience, commitment, and genuine compassion, she inspires confidence, nurtures potential, and shapes not only minds but futures. Ms. Kelly's dedication is seen in every lesson she prepares, every student she encourages, and every extra effort she makes to ensure no one is left behind in her classroom". - Tracie Dudkowski

12/16/2025

Chico Unified Teachers Association has a membership of over 700 talented, hardworking educators who are dedicated to their students, to public education, and to the teaching profession. Together we are stronger, together we are CUTA. Meet CUTA member Joe Linker!

Name: Joe Linker
School: Chapman Elementary
Subject/Grade: 1st Grade
Years teaching: in Year 3

What I do when I’m not teaching: Cycling, Running, Pickleball, Golf, Watching sports and Barbecuing!

Currently reading: Building Thinking Classrooms (the focus of our Chapman Book Study!)

Best thing about working with students: Getting to spend every day in such a positive environment - Chapman makes everyone’s day better!

Advice for new teachers: I’m still new myself - but I’d say find things to learn from every person you encounter in the profession (students, staff, families, anyone).

Quote from a CUTA member: "Joe makes incredible connections with his students and families. He is a rockstar at Power Hour, is spearheading a family math night - the first ever at Chapman! - and is still-always seeking opportunities to learn and grow. Plus he is the SNACK MASTER of our school!
He is an active member of the PBIS team and you will find him at any and all events that Chapman puts on". - Jena Bo Rivera

11/19/2025

It’s meet a member Tuesday! CUTA has so many members dedicated to our Chico Unified students. Today meet Matt over at PV. Thanks Matt for showing up for our students daily.

Name: Matt Joiner
School: PVHS
Subject/Grade: Architectural Design & CAD, Engineering Design & CAD
Years teaching: 24
Credential program: CSU Chico

What I do when I’m not teaching: Outdoor Activities

Best thing about teaching: Being able to make a positive impact

Best thing about working with students: Eagerness to learn

Advice for new teachers: Listen carefully to those who have walked before you

Inspired by: Innovation

Quote from a fellow CUTA member: "Matt Joiner is one of the premiere CTE teachers in CUSD. Matt has taught various CTE courses related to welding, engineering and architectural design, to all levels of students for decades. His contributions at PV and throughout the community of Chico stretch far and wide. He has countless students working in the industry as a result of his inspiration in the classroom. Joiner is truly a teacher whose outcomes go beyond the classroom walls." Mike Peck, PV

10/28/2025

It’s meet-a-member monday! It has been so fun reading everyone’s comments about our amazing educators. Today, meet Caty!

Name: Caty Harris
School: Bidwell Junior High School
Subject/Grade: 6th Science/Lego Robotics
Years teaching: Hired 19 years ago!!!
Credential program: Chico State Tri Placement Program

What I do when I’m not teaching: Lifting weights, Creating/Building, Chasing my two kiddos around!

Currently reading: I tend to have 3 different books going at a time. One audiobook, one on kindle, and a physical book!

Best thing about working with students: Seeing them grow in their knowledge and education. Getting to know the students as the humans they are and hopefully encourage and inspire them to be their best selves.

Advice for new teachers: Set your expectations early and be consistent. Stay true to your word and be honest and “real” with your students. Find your own style and engage students in their education by connecting with them as people.

Inspired by: The goodness I see around me. The curiosity, confidence, and creativity of my students and my own children. The belief that we can control our future and be our own type of positivity in the world.

Quote from fellow CUTA member: “Caty is awesome to work with. She makes our district meetings so enjoyable and brings innovative yet realistic ideas!” - Kyle Gunther MJHS

10/20/2025

It's meet-a-member Monday. Chico Unified Teachers Association has a membership of over 700 talented, hardworking educators who are dedicated to their students, to public education, and to the teaching profession. Together we are stronger, together we are CUTA. Thanks for your commitment to our students, Obe!

Name: Steven “Obe” Oberlander
School: Neal Dow Elementary
Subject/Grade: Kindergarten
Years teaching: 30

What I do when I’m not teaching: singing, acting, hiking, creating

Currently reading: “A Little Life” by Hanya Yanagihara

Best thing about working with students: watching the “lights” come on and the big smiles that come with it!

Advice for new teachers: Find a way to feed your bliss outside of your job. Nobody gets to the end of their lives saying, “I wish I had worked more!”

Inspired by: people who are compassionate and who are in service to others

Quote from a fellow CUTA member: "Obe has done a tremendous job of creating a league of students who love chess throughout Northern California. It is an amazing experience to see hundreds of students gathered together to improve their critical thinking and sportsmanship. Obe's efforts are nothing short of amazing!" - Conner O'Kelley McManus

10/16/2025

CUTA members Mary and Heather worked with CTA to secure a grant for our students. Here is what they are working on over at Shasta Elementary!

"In Sight Photography Club students are work on creating cyanotypes, writing about some key photography vocabulary, working on their poems, and taking photographs around campus. We are currently working on a mixed media portrait and poem assignment, studying the work of well-known portrait photographers and doing some reflective writing about who we are, what we value, and what is important to us. An upcoming lesson will introduce/focus on framing and point of view, both in our photographs and in our writing."

10/13/2025

Chico Unified Teachers Association has a membership of over 700 talented, hardworking educators who are dedicated to their students, to public education, and to the teaching profession. Together we are stronger, together we are CUTA. Thanks for your commitment to our students, Kathyleen!

Name: Kathyleen Bishop
School: Chico High School
Subject/Grade: 12th grade U.S. Government, Economics, Student Government/Leadership, and I am the Activities Director
Years teaching: 29
Credential program: Chico State

What I do when I’m not teaching: I love spending time with my husband Roy (History teacher at Marsh), our three daughters, and our friends. Bike rides and walks in Bidwell Park. I also really love to travel, read, and workout.

Best thing about teaching: I honestly can't imagine any teacher saying something other than working with young people. As exhausting as some days can be, I am constantly inspired and amazed by what students are capable of doing. However, for me it's not just about contributing to their growth-it about how they challenge me to grow, to take on hard things, and keep showing up.

Best thing about working with students: When Students make me laugh

Advice for new teachers: Three things: First-be yourself! students respond best to teachers who are genuine. I have worked with Student teachers my entire career and it really is the first thing I tell them. Second-when a lesson goes wrong, let it go…don’t take it home with you….tomorrow will be better, I promise! Lastly, seek support from your colleagues, they are a tremendous resource. Educators are some of the smartest, most loving, and supportive people you will ever meet.

Inspired by: It sounds corny, and I am sure many teachers say this, but it's my students. As the Activities Director, I am constantly doing large school wide events (Like the Lip Dub, Rallies, Prom). Watching my students create opportunities to make memories and invent new and exciting ways to do things for their fellow classmates is super cool.

Quote from a fellow member: "Kathyleen is an incredible force at CHS! She is full of so much positive energy and spirit that spreads campus wide." - Carrie McGarr

BONUS - check out CHS LIP DUB 2025 organized by KB!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7z7Aso4EDY

08/21/2025

Did you know? CTA offers teacher grants and 4 CUSD teachers were recipients this year! Nayeli Camacho, Mary Schoenthaler, Suzanne King, and Nicole Ballew📚📝🧡 CONGRATS