Thank You, CTA, for Your Donations in Memory of James (Jim) Essman

Members of Coloradans for the Common Good (CCG) thank the retired colleagues of California Teachers Association (CTA) for their donation to CCG in memory of their colleague, James (Jim) Essman, who was born in Denver and remained a devout Bronco fan his entire life.

After graduating from Greeley Teachers College (now UNC), Jim taught 5th grade in Arvada and later felt a call to teach in California. His teaching experience led him to be a helper and an organizer which led to his publishing Domine to support teachers, administrators, and unions in their work.

Jim's passion for the profession led him to become a uniServ director and union organizer for 34 years with the California Teachers Association (CTA) -- a life changing move for him. He not only talked about the need for CTA to organize within the institution, but the importance of organizing with other institutions to build power. Thus, he organized CTA chapter leaders and staff to become members of IAF organizations throughout the state.

Jim leaves a wonderful legacy as a great husband, father, and humanitarian.

Colleagues also remember him for:

• living his life with integrity and strength. He was kind, interesting, smart, funny, good, and effective. There will never be another one like him.
• his dedication to family & friends, hard work and advocacy of public education; he was the best teacher a CTA employee could ever wish for.
• inspiring all of us to organize for power.
• his compulsive need to see the Denver Broncos win the Super Bowl!