Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1057445
I am so proud of you and what you have accomplished these past several months. You have shown the nation what it means to belong to a union and the power of collective action. You weren't just part of Arizona's #RedforEd movement, you created it. You marched in the nation's largest educators' walkout. You collected 270,000 signatures to put a citizens' initiative on the ballot to fund our schools. And you have just elected both the first female U.S. Senator from Arizona and an educator to the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. These are our victories and it would not have happened without AEA leaders and members. Our strong effort in targeted legislative races had a huge impact on the record-breaking voter turnout we saw in this midterm election cycle. Our members knocked on over 80,000 doors in less than two months! We had the most effective voter engagement campaign because voters were more likely to open their doors and listen when they saw our red-shirted educators wanting to speak to them about the importance of the election. Thanks to our efforts we have a pro-public education Senator and majority in our Congressional delegation; one of our own leading the Arizona Department of Education; stopped the expansion of private school vouchers; and picked up four pro-public education candidates in the Arizona House–closing the gap towards gaining the majority. We must keep the momentum moving forward. The next legislative session starts in January and lawmakers will continue to pass bills that impact our students and profession. We need to be there to hold them accountable to their campaign promises and to the voters of Arizona. The election may be over, but the #RedforEd movement continues. This movement and the mission guiding AEA for over 125 years have always been about one thing – better schools for you to work in and for our students to learn in. As long as our students need us to advocate for them, and as long as our colleagues lack the tools and support to be successful, then our fight will continue. 4 ADVOCATE | WINTER 2018 IN SOLIDARITY by Joe Thomas AEA OFFICERS Joe Thomas President Marisol Garcia Vice President Angela Philpot Treasurer AEA STAFF Mark J. Simons Executive Director Sheenae Shannon Editor Roxanne Rash Graphic Design Advertising The AEA Advocate is published by the Arizona Education Association, 345 East Palm Lane, Phoenix, Arizona 85004-1532. Phone: 602- 264-1774 or 800-352-5411 Fax: 602-240-6887. Email: sheenae.shannon@arizonaea.org. AEA's website may be found at www.arizonaea.org. Permission to reprint any material originating with this publication is granted provided that credit is given to the AEA Advocate. The AEA Advocate (ISSN 0194-8849) is published in Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer for $3.50 per year by the Arizona Education Association, 345 East Palm Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85004-1532. Periodicals postage paid at Phoenix, Arizona. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the AEA Advocate, 345 East Palm Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85004-1532. Moving? Please let us know before you go. Simply clip your mailing label from the back of the Advocate and send it along with your new address to: AEA Advocate 345 East Palm Lane Phoenix, Arizona 85004-1532 - 9 Joseph H. Thomas, President Arizona Education Association