Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/573808
AEA Advocate | Fall 2015 17 e entered and remain in our professions in public education because we care about our students and the world in which we live. The Arizona Education Association (AEA) advocates on behalf of students and our professions at the state legislature, at school board meetings, and in the principal's offi ce to ensure students have the tools and time to learn, regardless of their zip code. Quality Public Education for All Our 20,000 members across the state and 3 million nationwide, through the National Education Association (NEA), believe every child deserves a quality public education in a fully resourced school with caring and trained public school employees. Fairness, Equity, and Respect for All As public school employees, our working conditions are our students' learning conditions and we believe our input is important when making policy decisions that impact our work and the success of our students. AEA members and staff stand up to injustice to ensure children have an opportunity to learn and teachers and support staff have an opportunity to earn a living wage, have retirement security, and work under fair employment conditions. Teaching as an Esteemed Profession AEA teachers are shaping and leading their profession in Arizona through mentoring, lobbying, training, and promoting the needs and impact of effective teaching in the public and media. Through the Teacher Leadership Initiative and Take Your Legislator to School programs, AEA members have built coalitions with community organizations to empower the voice of teachers. 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 respect, teachers and students gain too. All public school employees deserve the same basic rights and AEA members are committed to working together towards dues process rights for classifi ed school employees. Learning as a Community Commitment As public education advocates, teachers and support staff believe community involvement and engagement is integral to creating support for neighborhood public schools and AEA members 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 underfunding education. Every year, AEA members raise awareness about the importance of reading through NEA's Read Across America, the largest annual reading event celebrated in schools nationwide. This is Your AEA