Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Noel Candelaria @noelcandelaria.bsky.social · 14h

We stand with Colorado Springs Education Association & Colorado Education Association as they strike TODAY to demand the restoration of their 56-year Master Agreement.
When we stand for educators, we stand for students.
✊🏽 #RedForEd #UnionStrong #PublicSchoolsForAll #CSEAstrong

3

Noel Candelaria @noelcandelaria.bsky.social · 15h

Today is #LatinaEqualPayDay.

Latinas earn only 52–58¢ to a white man’s dollar — nearly 10 extra months of work just to catch up.

As a proud Chicano, husband, father & educator, I’ll keep fighting to close that gap. Because #OneJobShouldBeEnough.
✊🏽 #TogetherWeBuildPower

1 1

Noel Candelaria @noelcandelaria.bsky.social · 6d

Every child deserves to come to school healthy. Every family deserves access to care. Healthcare isn’t a privilege—it’s a human right.

Stop cutting Medicaid while funding healthcare abroad. Stand up for children, families & communities.

#HealthcareIsAHumanRight

Noel Candelaria @noelcandelaria.bsky.social · 7d

Our kids need full stomachs, not empty promises. Every dollar given to billionaires while students go hungry is a moral failure.
Read more: nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/feed-students-not-billionaires
#FeedStudentsNotBillionaires #PublicSchools

Cafeteria Workers Say Feed Students, Not Billionaires | NEA

The “Big Beautiful Bill” will leave about 18 million children without access to school lunches.

nea.org

Noel Candelaria @noelcandelaria.bsky.social · 7d

Texas Governor Abbott is targeting immigrant families by blocking new & renewal CDLs for DACA, asylum & refugee parents.
This is cruelty, not safety.
Our children deserve better.
📎 nea.org/immigration
#JusticiaInmigrante #PublicSchools

2

Noel Candelaria @noelcandelaria.bsky.social · 8d

Orange for the children who never came home.
As a Chicano, father, teacher & union leader, I stand in truth & justice: Every Child Matters. 🧡
#EveryChildMatters

1

Noel Candelaria @noelcandelaria.bsky.social · 12d

Texas DPS tried to blame Uvalde teacher Amy. The truth: she acted heroically and saved lives, while law enforcement with guns stood by.
Texas—and America—must stop blaming teachers and start demanding accountability from those in power.
👉 www.facebook.com/share/r/17Vj...

Redirecting...

www.facebook.com

Noel Candelaria @noelcandelaria.bsky.social · 18d

On Monday at NEA HQ, I wore my Dreamers Welcome shirt 🦋 to begin #HispanicHeritageMonth.

Proud Latino, Mexican American & son of immigrant parents. From teaching in El Paso to leading in DC, I carry their sacrifice forward.
Sí se puede. ✊🏽

1

Noel Candelaria @noelcandelaria.bsky.social · 18d

On Tuesday, I was proud to represent NEA at #CHCI2025 for the Safe Schools, Strong Futures panel w/ Jessica Cardichon, Jose Davila & Jose Alfaro, moderated by Alberto Pimienta of NBCUniversal Telemundo. Gun violence is an epidemic. We need reform + mental health supports. #CHCIHHM

1 2

Noel Candelaria @noelcandelaria.bsky.social · 18d

Thank you to leaders in The Northern Tier for your early endorsement in my run for NEA VP.

Together, educators & public service workers build power & justice—because when we win in one state, we strengthen every member everywhere.
#UnionStrong
#ElectNoel

1

Noel Candelaria @noelcandelaria.bsky.social · 20d

TX is targeting educators—threatening jobs & certifications for posts made as private citizens. This violates their due process & 1st Amendment rights.
Just after Constitution Day, we must remember: “Congress shall make no law…abridging freedom of speech.”
Silencing teachers is silencing democracy.

4 1

Noel Candelaria @noelcandelaria.bsky.social · 25d

The Trump admin’s attack on DEI has reached a new low: cutting funds for programs serving deafblind kids.

DEI is rooted in classrooms. Educators know equity = fairness. Taking that away is extremist & cruel. We must unite & defend equity.

🔗 www.propublica.org/article/trum...

Programs for Students With Hearing and Vision Loss Harmed by Trump’s Anti-Diversity Push

Citing concerns about DEI, the U.S. Department of Education has halted funding for programs that support students with combined hearing and vision loss in eight states. “How low can you go?” one advoc...

www.propublica.org

1

Noel Candelaria @noelcandelaria.bsky.social · 25d

MAGA’s authoritarian war on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion just cut support for deafblind kids.

That’s cruelty disguised as policy. ✊

1 2

Noel Candelaria @noelcandelaria.bsky.social · 27d

Victory! 🙌 After 5 yrs of organizing, MSU faculty in the Union of Tenure System Faculty (UTSF) are officially recognized — 1,757 strong, the largest new NEA higher-ed unit in MI in recent memory.

Worker power = democracy in the workplace.
#UnionStrong

Union of Tenure-System Faculty at MSU @utsfmsu.bsky.social · 28d

With recognition achieved, we carry forward the strength of our organizing into building a first contract—one that reflects our priorities and protects faculty rights 💪

Union of Tenure System Faculty officially recognized by MSU after years of negotiations - The State News

After years of legal negotiations and assembling, the Union of Tenure System Faculty has been officially recognized by Michigan State University.

statenews.com

1

Reposted by Noel Candelaria

National Education Association @neatoday.bsky.social · 27d

Today we remember the lives lost on 9/11 and honor the brave first responders who showed extraordinary courage. As educators, we reflect, we remember, and we teach the next generation about resilience and unity.

10 33

Noel Candelaria @noelcandelaria.bsky.social · 28d

Evergreen High in CO: 3 teens shot, 2 critical. Schools must be sanctuaries.
Trump admin cut $1B in school mental health support—moving us backward.
Resources: www.nea.org/gunviolence #EndGunViolence

Responding to Gun Violence | NEA

Resources to help support students, cope with crisis, and advocate for safer schools.

www.nea.org

1

Noel Candelaria @noelcandelaria.bsky.social · 28d

Charlie Kirk’s killing is a tragic reminder: political violence has no place in America.
We must unite to end this epidemic of gun violence, reject extremism, and recommit to dialogue over division. #EndGunViolence

Becky Pringle @neapresident.bsky.social · 28d

Violence in all forms is wrong. Political violence is unacceptable—it endangers our democracy and inflames fear, trauma, and division.

Everyone deserves safety and security—period.

1

Noel Candelaria @noelcandelaria.bsky.social · Sep 6

This is not normal. A U.S. president declaring “war” on an American city is authoritarianism, plain and simple.

As an educator, I teach that our democracy only survives if we protect each other and reject hate. We can’t allow fear and division to replace justice and community.

Noel Candelaria @noelcandelaria.bsky.social · Sep 4

“First they came…”—and now ICE is abducting DACA recipients like Paulo and Catalina, masked and warrant‑less.

Both have legal protection, work and build their communities.

This is injustice disguised as enforcement.

Release them now.

#ProtectDACA #FreeDreamers

2 El Paso County DACA recipients challenge ICE detention as families plead for justice

Catalina “Xochitl” Santiago and Paulo Cesar Gamez Lira, both DACA recipients, are fighting for their release from ICE custody as lawmakers challenge the Trump administration’s interpretation of the po...

elpasomatters.org

Noel Candelaria @noelcandelaria.bsky.social · Sep 3

The Trump admin thrives on fear & chaos.

ICE is arresting citizens & children—detaining first, asking later.

That’s not safety, it’s a violation of rights & an attack on families & democracy. #StopTheRaids

Take action: www.nea.org/advocating-f...

Noel Candelaria @noelcandelaria.bsky.social · Sep 1

Marched this #LaborDay in Los Angeles with our UTLA siblings!

As a special ed teacher from Ysleta & NEA Sec-Treasurer, I know our fight: defend public schools, fair wages, & justice for ALL workers.

The people united will never be defeated! ✊🏽
#UnionStrong

2 2

Noel Candelaria @noelcandelaria.bsky.social · Aug 31

“American Workers First?”

Trump stripped union rights from 1M workers, attacked DoD teachers’ unions, gutted the labor board & fired thousands.

And America’s workers aren’t just white men—we’re a diverse workforce that won’t be erased.

#LaborDay #UnionStrong

2

Noel Candelaria @noelcandelaria.bsky.social · Aug 31

Proud this #LaborDay to be a union educator fighting for schools where ALL students can thrive. ✨
Orgulloso este #DíaDelTrabajo de ser un educador sindicalizado que lucha por escuelas donde TODOS los estudiantes puedan prosperar. ✨

#PublicSchoolsForAll #EscuelasParaTodos
#PorLaPublica
#GoPublic

1 2

Noel Candelaria @noelcandelaria.bsky.social · Aug 31

ICE near schools is creating fear, trauma & absenteeism. As Noel Candelaria, NEA says: “Every student deserves to feel safe & welcome—regardless of language, ZIP code, or immigration status.”

🔗 Article: davisvanguard.org/2025/08/ice-...
🔗 NEA resources: www.nea.org/advocating-f...

Mass Deportation Agenda Creates Toxic Climate for Immigrant Children and Schools - Davis Vanguard

Educators, child psychologists, and immigrant rights leaders are warning that the Trump administration's mass deportation agenda is causing fear, trauma, and disruption in schools across the nation, l...

davisvanguard.org

Noel Candelaria @noelcandelaria.bsky.social · Aug 30

We can’t keep pretending our schools are “protected” when politicians ban drag shows and books but do nothing to stop guns from turning classrooms into war zones. This cartoon says it all: culture-war distractions won’t shield our kids from bullets.

📸 Cartoon by Paul Fell, Artizans Syndicate (2023)

1