Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/610158
t the beginning of this experience, I was a leader who didn't know her leadership strength. I thought being a leader meant doing it all. I know now that being a leader is about building a team of people who are strong in many competen- cies for the betterment of all. Danielle Brown Kindergarten Teacher at Colonel Johnston Elementary in Fort Huachuca efore getting involved in the TLI, I was usually one to tackle problems as an individual as I found it hard to trust others. Through the TLI, I have learned that successful leaders are able to identify the right people for a job and delegate re- sponsibility to them in a healthy way that challenges them. Ben Childers High School Mathematics Teacher at Mountain View High School in Tucson have developed a network of like-minded colleagues that will provide support. I have also developed an understanding of my union's purpose and can see the path it intends to follow in order to further help their members as professionals in the 21st century. I am committed to working diligently with my union in the fulfillment of this goal." Heidi Garcia High School Spanish Teacher at North High School in Phoenix WINTER 2015/16 | ADVOCATE 5 Member Talk VOICE YOUR VIEWS he AEA offers several protections for teachers in the association if they feel as if their job is somehow in jeopardy. It also is the only lobby at the capital right now fighting issues such as retirement benefits for teachers. It also spearheads efforts to drive down class- room sizes. A bigger issue here isn't the supposed ineffectiveness of the teacher's association but rather the unfathomable number of attacks thrown at all schools in the state. The only group consistently discussing the lack of school funding over the past decade is the AEA. Additionally, the state is I'm charge of the issues you brought up (benefits, pay increases....) are largely being lowered by lower funding by the state. The only way to counter this is to ensure the public is properly informed. I praise Andrew Morrill for consistently and eloquently explaining issues which were previously unknown to the greater public. Gary DeGrow Chandler EA member f you think that the AEA is not doing anything, then you are not paying attention. Michael Conner Tolleson Union EA president T "I I 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 Contact sheenae.shannon@ arizonaea.org WRITE US! Membership Matters AEA members recently responded to a commenter on our Facebook page about what the AEA does for Arizona educators and why they belong to their professional association. Teacher Leadership Initiative The Teacher Leadership Initiative (TLI) is a joint endeavor of the National Education Association (NEA), the Center for Teaching Quality (CTQ) and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). The initiative is the result of a shared vision of teacher leadership advancing the profession through a coherent movement with accomplished teachers' expertise at its core. Below are some testimonials from AEA members: A B