Arizona Education Association

Summer 2019

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SUMMER 2019 | ADVOCATE 9 Around AEA AEA is proud to welcome Luis Heredia as the new executive director. He started on June 24, 2019, and sat down with the AEA Advocate for a Q&A so members could get to know him. Q: TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF. A: I grew up on the southwest Arizona border in Somerton, just south of Yuma. My parents immigrated as farmworkers to the United States in the early 1970's. My father worked in agriculture his entire life and my mother retired as a school cafeteria worker after forty years. I graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in history and received a master's degree in public administration from Indiana University-Bloomington at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. I've worked in city government, the community college system, as a senior advisor to Members of Congress, and have managed several statewide, legislative, and local campaigns. I was elected at the age of 24 to the Somerton Elementary School District Governing Board, re-elected to a second term, and served four years as president of the board. Politics can be all consuming, but I am also involved in raising funds for first generation college students. I volunteer for the ASU Alumni Association National Board, serve as an officer for Los Diablos ASU Alumni Chapter, and as a founder and core organizer for El Diablito ASU Alumni Chapter in Yuma County. I enjoy cooking and hosting family and friends where I cook traditional Sonoran meals. I am proud to be Abraham's father and excited that he is starting his freshman year at Perry High School in Gilbert. Q: WHY IS PUBLIC EDUCATION IMPORTANT TO YOU? A: A strong public school system is the great equalizer in today's world. Children can grow and learn with their peers, guided by their educators, to become active citizens who are critical thinkers. The framers of Arizona's state constitution included a universal public education system with access to elementary and secondary schools and to a public college and university system that would be "nearly free as possible." I engage in the political system because I am committed to upholding Arizona's constitution and its support for strong public schools. Q: WHAT IMPACT DID GROWING UP AS AN ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING (ELL) STUDENT IN ARIZONA HAVE ON YOU AND YOUR VIEWS ON PUBLIC SCHOOLS? A: I grew up on the Arizona-Mexico border where I did not only grow up speaking Spanish, but I was immersed in a Spanish- speaking world with my family, with radio, television, and with my religious upbringing. I learned to develop language skills to be bilingual and speak, read, and write in English in public school. This entire experience can consume or deter one's ability to learn and contribute in school. I was blessed in having an older sister, aunts, uncles, and great teachers who gave me the confidence to work harder to grow in my English learning ability. My speech pathologist also helped me develop my language skills in Spanish and English to gain confidence. However, I know that other students in my grade did not have access to the same support systems. That's why language skills should not deter academic growth in critical and analytical skills. Each ELL student lives a unique and always evolving life outside of the classroom. Arizona has failed English Language Learners and we must advocate to improve the current system to allow all students to succeed. Q: WHO WAS YOUR FAVORITE EDUCATOR? A: It is difficult to settle on just one. I have vivid memories of why so many educators were so impactful. Here is a short list: • Kindergarten - Ms. Fullton. Her smile and energy captured my curious mind. • First Grade - Ms. Thompson. I remember so many lessons from learning the metamorphosis of a desert moth, to a rot- ten tomato, or the hatching of an egg. • Fourth Grade - Ms. Bullington. She gave me the confidence to work harder and excel in my learning. She was raised in Douglas, Arizona and recognized a border upbringing. • Sixth Grade - Mr. Bohon. He fostered so much growth among his students to explore learning. He was born in Mexico and raised on the border. He created a collective space for the entire class to participate and plan for our future. • Seventh Grade - Mr. Spearman. He was our math teacher who challenged us but believed in us to do more. • High School - Ms. Perry. She was my algebra honors teacher who knew I was struggling and helped me to catch up to compete with students from a different feeder elementary school district. • High School - Ms. Meharg was surprised but proud at my overall performance in class. • High School - Mr. Pallack and Ms. Miller trusted my lead- ership skills in student council, and they understood my strong commitment to making that body more diverse. • Finally-I have to mention Carolyn Warner and Lois Pfau. Carolyn was a force of nature in Arizona politics and she taught me many lessons and shared many stories. Lois Pfau, a retired AEA leader and mentor to many Arizona politi- cians, remains a big influence. AEA Hires New Executive Director Luis A. Heredia AEA Executive Director

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