Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/389203
AEA Advocate x Special Election Edition 2014 31 Teaching as an Esteemed Profession AEA members and staff lobby at the Arizona Legislature on education policy that impacts your work in the classroom as well as your profession. AEA also offers many professional development opportunities to help you advance in your career and connect you with like-minded professionals across the state. When the legislature went after school employees' pensions, AEA protected your retirement security and successfully challenged the legislature's attempt to reduce your salary by increasing your retirement contribution rate. Education Support Professionals as Valued Partners As public school employees, support staff are key players on the education team that prepares Arizona's children for the future. When support staff gain new skills and re- spect, teachers and students gain too. AEA believes that support staff deserve the same basic employee rights as other state employees and works to provide dues pro- cess rights for classified public school employees. Learning as a Community Commitment Strong schools build strong communities. AEA believes community involvement and engagement is integral to creating support for neighborhood public schools and the mission of AEA. Local associations work with parent and community groups to pass override and bond elections, which are critical to our schools at a time when the state is underfund- ing education. The Association raises awareness about the importance of reading through NEA's Read Across America, the largest annual reading event celebrated in schools nationwide.