Cecily Myart-Cruz
United Teachers of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA USA
"I can’t think of a more noble profession than being a teacher."
Career Roadmap
Cecily's work combines: Education, Politics, and Teaching / Mentoring
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was in college. I had to work 3 jobs to help out while going to school full-time. The dean told me that I should leave and try again next year because I wouldn't graduate on time. I took it as motivation to prove her wrong. I went to school 7 days a week and graduated on time. The dean wrote to me to apologize for doubting me. As teachers, we need to do better for our students. Don't doubt them. Inspire them. They need to see that it's possible.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and am a product of the Los Angeles School District.
2.
After joining my teachers in a strike when I was a junior in high school, I started thinking about becoming a teacher myself.
3.
While working as a teacher’s assistant, I decided undoubtedly to become a teacher.
4.
I started my teaching career as an elementary school teacher in Compton, California.
5.
After a few years, I transitioned into a middle school, where I primarily taught sixth-grade English and language arts.
6.
I’m now the president of the United Teachers of Los Angeles union—I’m the third woman and the first woman of color president in the 50-year history of the union.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Teachers:
You won't be able to graduate on time. You should just leave and come back to graduate in another year.
How I responded:
My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was in college. I had to work 3 jobs to help out while going to school full-time. The dean told me that I should leave and try again next year because I wouldn't graduate on time. I took it as motivation to prove her wrong. I went to school 7 days a week and graduated on time. The dean wrote to me to apologize for doubting me. As teachers, we need to do better for our students. Don't doubt them. Inspire them. They need to see that it's possible.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
As a woman of color president of UTLA, I face a lot of discrimination and hatred. I've even received death threats. But I know that I'm on the right track. I don't pay attention to the fray and always keep students at the center of what I'm doing.