LA Teachers Union VP Caught on Camera Calling State Schools Chief Candidate a 'Real Threat'

Julie Van Winkle, vice president of UTLA AFT and president of AFT 1021, was captured on video expressing concerns about Sonja Shaw's candidacy for state schools chief. Van Winkle urged supporters to mobilize votes for Richard Barrera, the union-endorsed candidate, and described Shaw as a "real threat" and "obviously a huge problem for us."

A Union-First Agenda vs. Reform

The remarks, made during a discussion about the upcoming Nov. 3 election, highlight a stark contrast between the candidates. The article suggests that Shaw, as president of the Chino Valley Unified school board, represents a challenge to the status quo, advocating for reforms aimed at improving academic rigor and parental rights. In contrast, Barrera is portrayed as aligned with the teachers' union.

Shaw's platform includes a focus on restoring academic rigor, ensuring parents' right to know about their children's education, and protecting girls' sports and facilities from biological males. This approach, the article argues, would shift the focus from "ideological indulgences" to core subjects like reading, writing, and math.

Concerns Over Student Performance

The report points to statistics indicating low student proficiency in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). In 2025, only 46% of LAUSD students were proficient in English, and a mere 37% showed proficiency in math. The article frames Shaw's potential impact as a threat to the union's established priorities, suggesting that she prioritizes student learning over union demands.

Political Maneuvering

Following the primary election, where Shaw emerged as the top vote-getter, the article alleges that California Governor Gavin Newsom and Democratic legislators moved to reduce the power and oversight authority of the state superintendent of schools' office. This action, according to the report, is a political response to the possibility of a Shaw victory, suggesting a pattern of changing rules when facing electoral challenges.

The article questions the implications of the state's schools chief no longer heading the Department of Education, while still acknowledging that a Shaw win poses a significant challenge to the UTLA. Van Winkle's recorded statements are presented as evidence of the union's resistance to change and a desire for continued adherence to its existing agenda, despite the backdrop of educational challenges in districts like LAUSD.