Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/543920
10 Summer 2015 | AEA Advocate Around AEA Past NEA and AEA President Dennis Van roekel was honored with the AEA Friend of Public Education award. In his acceptance speech he said, "We the educators, must define the solutions, and we must lead. I want us individually and collectively to be ready, willing, able, and committed to leading the drive for excellence in our professions and leading a student-centered agenda." Looking forward to next year's election, AEA Vice President Joe thomas made a pitch for the AEA Fund for Public Education, which is AEA's Political Action Committee (PAC) and accepts voluntary member donations to contribute to pro- public education candidates. Being an AEA member means being active, involved, and informed as evidenced by member voter turnout in the last election and nearly 80% (over 90% for AEA PAC donors) while the rest of the state only turned out 48%. Following the theme around using your voice, Thomas encouraged delegates to tell their story about the new statewide assessment, AZMerit at www.facebook. com/azmerit. AEA encourages all members and public school employees to share their experiences with the rollout of the new test so that this feedback can be shared with the Arizona Department of Education to make improvements. AEA honored several of our best and most inspiring members at the Salute to Excellence luncheon on April 25. A list of winners can be viewed on page 14. Delegates debated and voted on the floor about various education issues, including testing opt-out. They also voted in a new AEA governing board, listed on page 33. n Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch 2016 Delegate Assembly May 6-7 MARK YOUR CALENDAR Top right: AEA and NEA past president Dennis Van Roekel. Middle row L-R: AEA Vice President Joe Thomas; Gilbert EA members; Flagstaff EA members Jennifer and Mitch Askew, Derek Born, and Joan Hughes; and Sunnyside EA members Tori Schroeder, Maryann Jester, and Brett Baldauf. Bottom row: Phoenix Union CTA members Moon Johnson and Carrie Deahl and AEA Retired members Steve Ramos and Julie Horwin.