MARCELA CHAGOYA 

is a 25yr career educator working with Special Education middle school students. Her passion in serving students with special needs has led her to union leadership at the local, state and national levels. At UTLA, Marcela is currently serving her 5th year as Board Director for East Area where she organizes area schools to enforce the contract and fight back against injustice of any kind. She has been a member of several UTLA committees (Parent Community Organizing Comte., Racial/Social Justice Cmte. Special Education Cmte., East Area Steering Committee) elected to House of Representatives 10yrs straight; as well as site chapter co-chair for the past 10 years.  

     At the state level, Marcela has been serving as the Chair of the Special Education Services Committee for the California Federation of Teachers for eight years. There she leads the committee on action items that will support legislation in an effort to better education outcomes for our students with special needs. Marcela is also the liaison for ACSE – The California Advisory Council on Special Education representing CFT and the Southern CA, EC/TK12 Division Council Vice President. At CTA, California Teachers Association, Marcela is an elected delegate serving her 9th year and an officer in the Special Education Committee where she also aims to bookend efforts in special education services in conjunction with both state affiliates. 

     Nationally, she is a 10yr elected delegate to the National Education Representative Assembly and the AFT - American Federation of Teachers biannual convention where she works on policy language and action items that will affect educators and students nationally.  Marcela knows the needs of all students and educators and continues to lead alongside union siblings so that in unity we continue to fight forward for all that our educators and students deserve. 

EXPERIENCE:

• Parent of 3 LAUSD Students

• Successfully Bargained and WON before LAUSD our PAID Prep Days

• 10 Years - National Education Association (NEA), Representative Assembly Elected Delegate

• 9 Years - California Federation of Teachers (CFT), Elected State Delegate

• 9 Years - California Teachers Association (CTA), State Council Elected Delegate

• 8 Years - CFT, Special Education Services Committee, Chair

• 7 Years - UTLA Facebook Page Administrator

• 6 Years - CTA, Civil Rights in Education Committee Member

• 5 Years - AFT-Civil, Human and Women’s Rights Committee Appointed Member

• 5 Years - UTLA, Board Director ~ East

• 4 Years - AFT, National Convention Elected Delegate

• 3 Years - UTLA Special Education Committee Member

• 3 Years - CFT, EC/TK12 Division Council, So CA Region,

• Vice President

• 2 Years - UTLA, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) 1021 -

• 2 Years - UTLA PACE Committee Member

• 2X - UTLA Bargaining Team Member, (currently serving)

• 2 Years - CTA, Special Education Committee, Recorder

• 2 Years - Advisory Commission on Special Education (ACSE) Liaison for CFT

Jennifer Marquez

 is a proud educator, artist, and advocate running to represent East Area educators on the UTLA Board of Directors as your NEA Representative. A dedicated public school teacher, Jennifer has served Eastside students and families for over a decade, championing the power of arts education, multilingual access, and culturally relevant pedagogy.

This past school year, she led the largest AP Art and Design portfolio submission class in her school’s history — a testament to her strategic planning, clear communication, and unwavering belief in student potential. Her leadership doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Jennifer is a committed union member who believes deeply in organizing for justice: advocating for immigrant rights, fighting for equitable funding in the arts, and ensuring teacher voices are heard at every level of policy-making. She is currently serving in many different roles at United Teachers Los Angeles, and will continue to serve to strengthen the profession. 

As NEA Rep, Jennifer will bring her heart for students and her voice for teachers to every table. She’s committed to building stronger school communities, defending public education, and making sure Eastside perspectives shape decisions at both the local and state level.

EXPERIENCE: 

• High School Visual Art Teacher 13 years

• 6 Years consecutive attendance at UTLA Leadership Conference 

• Chapter Chair for 6 years

• East Area Steering 4 years

• PACE Committee 4 years 

• House of Representatives Member 4 years

• Bargaining Team 2x’s

• UTLA Constitution Committee 1 year

• UTLA NEA BOD at Large 3 years

• NEA RA Representative 3 years

• CTA State Council Delegate 3 years

• UTLA/NEA Equity Team 2 year

• CTA Ethnic Member Early Identification Development (current cohort)

THALIA CATANO

Thalia’s family roots originate in the states of Nayarit and Michoacán. As the first in her extended family to graduate from college, she has gone on to become a National Board Certified Teacher and is now in her 12th year teaching social studies at Roosevelt High School in Boyle Heights.

Her path to the classroom was shaped by her early work in immigrant and labor rights across New Mexico and Alabama, where she saw firsthand the power of organizing and the dignity a union job can bring in lifting families out of poverty. Those lessons continue to guide her work today as both an educator and a parent of two LAUSD students.

Rooted in Lincoln Heights, Thalia is committed to standing shoulder to shoulder with students, caregivers, and her community. She knows that the fight for strong public schools and union rights is far from over — and she’s ready to lead with courage, experience, and an unwavering belief in the power of collective action.

EXPERIENCE:

• 12th Year Teacher 

• NBCT Social Studies Teacher at Roosevelt High School

• CAT Member for Roosevelt HS UTLA Chapter 

• 3 Years - East Area Steering 

• 3 Years - PACE Committee Member

• representing East Area 

• Immigrant Justice Team Representative for East Area

• Bargaining Team Representing East Area 

• PACE Expanded Endorsement Team

• California Federation of Teachers (CFT) Representative on the RDI-TPA Statewide Workgroup from 2024 to 2025 

• Former Chapter Chair from 2020 to 2022

• Former Vice Chair from 2015 to 2019 

• Former Immigrant and Labor Organizer

• in New Mexico and Alabama

• Former MECHista in college

JACKY DANG

 is a dedicated Special Education teacher entering into her 6th year of classroom experience, and a proven record of leadership at every level of our union. As a Chapter Chair for 3 years, Jacky has consistently fought to uplift educator voices, protect the rights of her teachers and students, and strengthen school communities.

Beyond the school site, Jacky Dang will be serving as a NEA Global Learning Fellow, bringing an international perspective to equity in education, and has represented educators as a House of Representatives member (3 years), NEA RA Delegate (2 years), and CTA State Council Delegate. Their work extends across multiple leadership bodies, including the PACE Committee, the LGBTQ+ Task Force, and the East Area Steering Committee.

In recognition of their unwavering commitment, Jacky was honored with the UTLA Local WHO Award (2025) for outstanding service to members and the fight for public education.

They are running to continue building educator power, defending public schools, and ensuring every student and educator thrives.

EXPERIENCE:

• Special Education Teacher (5 years)

• NEA Global Learning Fellow (1 year)

• Chapter Chair (3 years)

• PACE Committee (1 year)

• House of Representatives (3 years)

• LGBTQ+ Task Force (1 year)

• NEA RA Delegate (2 years)

• CTA State Council Delegate (1 year) 

• CTA Stare Council Delegate Alternate (2 Years)

• East Area Steering Committee (First Year)

• UTLA Local Who Award Recipient (2025) 

• NEA Foundation Global Fellow (First Year)

CYNTHIA MATTHEWS

Cynthia Matthews is running for South Area Chair to continue her service to the South Area Members and families.  Cynthia is currently a member of the South Area Board of Directors, where she has served for 9 years.  She is an experienced teacher with 24 years of service.  She is an active member of UTLA, serving on South Area Steering, as South Area Treasurer, as PACE secretary and many roles with our affiliates in AFT/CFT.  She believes South Area students deserve fully funded public schools.

EXPERIENCE:

• South Area Director - AFT

• 24 years Educator experience  

• South Area Treasurer

• PACE Secretary

• CFT Safe & Supportive Schools Committee member

• CTA State Council Delegate

• Bargaining Team Member (Since 2018)

GINA GRAY

Gina Gray is a passionate social justice advocate running for South Area Board of Directors, NEA Representative. Gina is committed to working with the students, families and members in the South Area. She is currently teaching high school English at Middle College High School where she served as Chapter Chair for 2 years. Gina is an active union member serving on the South Area Steering Committee. Additionally, she is the current UTLA PACE Chair and Equity Team At-Large. Gina believes that advocating for policies that protect and uplift public education is the way to fight forward! 

EXPERIENCE:

• UTLA/NEA Equity Team At-Large

• CTA ABC Director

• PACE Committee Chair

• South Area Steering Committee

• UTLA Board of Directors

• CTA Women’s Committee Chair

• CTA State Council Delegate & Committee Vice Chair

• NEA RA Delegate

• AFT Delegate

APRIL THOMAS

April Thomas is running for re-election to UTLA South Area Board of Directors, NEA Representative. She has proudly served on the South Area Board of Directors for 3 years and is looking forward to continuing the work of advocating for students in the South Area. She has 30 years experience as an elementary school teacher and believes in the power of strong public schools to provide students with great learning opportunities.

EXPERIENCE:

• South Area Board of Director

• PACE Committee Member

• NEA RA Delegate

• 30 years Multiple Subject Teacher

• CTA State Council Delegate

• CTA Ethnic Member Early ID member

• CFT/AFT English Language Learner Committee

• AFL-CIO Representative 

• HOR Representative

CLAUDIA SILVA

● South Area Board of Director

● Chapter Chair, Ninety-Sixth Street Elementary

Expanded Bargaining Team Member

● Steering Committee / Cluster Leader

• Grievance & Review Committee Member

● UTLA House of Representatives

● State Council & NEA Representative

● Former NEA/RA Whip

● El Sol Caucus Member

● Legislative Advocacy

● Member, LA Federation of Labor

● CFT/AFT Standing Committee Member

● PACE Committee Member

Platinum Apple Committee Chair & Local School Leadership Council Chair

● 25 Years Teaching Experience | WHO Award Recipient