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AEA Advocate x Winter 2014/15 5 MEMBER TALK V O I C E Y O U R V I E W S MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK MEMBER TALK M EMBER TALK MEMBER TALK It is with great sadness the AEA reports one of our own recently passed away. Tom Shaffer worked for AEA for thirty years and had been an AEA member since 1957, when he joined as a student. Tom will always be remembered for his love of teaching and the cause of quality public education. Tom was born in Elwood City, Pennsylvania and moved to Arizona after graduating high school to attend Arizona State University (ASU) where he received his BA and MA degrees. While attending ASU, he served as student body vice president and was voted "Most Outstanding Male Graduate." Tom taught science at Scottsdale High School and Round Valley High School in Eagar, Arizona, and was named 1965 Science Teacher of the Year by the Arizona Academy of Science. Tom started working at AEA in 1966 as a field representative and performed many job roles during his time on staff, including serving as our founding director of legal services. He helped many local associations navigate bargaining with school boards and negotiate their first professional agreements. After retiring, he was active with the ASU Student Association and Alumni and as a historian for many organizations throughout the Valley, including AEA. Tom worked as a public policy consultant and taught education law at four colleges as a visiting professor through his retirement. Tom Shaffer cared deeply about Arizona's children and was an amazing advocate for students and educators. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten. 2 In MeMorIaM: ToM Shaffer Write us! Readers are encouraged to state opinions or make comments in letters that will be considered for publication in this column. The editor reserves the right to edit lengthy letters representing a balance of viewpoints. Generally, letters will not be published without the names of their writers and local associations. Send letters to: "Member Talk," AEA Advocate, 345 East Palm Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85004. Email: sheenae.shannon@arizonaea.org.