I am a teacher in South LA and have been teaching in the same neighborhood for over 23 years, where I feel like I am a part of the community. I have decided to stay in South LA because I believe in being the change we wish to see in the world. I also believe strongly in our union principles, without which I may not be the person I am today. My father who was a Teamster raised me to be a strong union member. One of my fondest memories is striking with my junior high school teachers in 1989.