Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/731916
6 ADVOCATE | FALL 2016 at the capitol E ach year the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF) invites teachers and legislators to spend some rare one-on-one time together through our Take Your Legislator to School initiative. In partnership with the Arizona Education Association and Arizona K12 Center, AEF matches Arizona public school teachers with the legislators in their district. Participating teachers invite legislators to visit their school and classroom so legislators have a chance to see what goes on in the classroom firsthand. Not only does this open up the door for our state representatives and senators to see public school mechanics up close but it also enables legislators to develop a relationship with an educator who can advise them as education bills reach their desk in the coming session. The first participants in this year's Take Your Legislator to School initiative were Rep. Paul Boyer (R-20) and Glendale Union Education Association President and 2014 AEF Arizona Teacher of the Year Ambassador for Excellence Jonathan Parker. Rep. Boyer represents legislative district 20, which includes much of Glendale and parts of North Phoenix. Rep. Boyer is the Vice-Chair of the House Health Committee and is a member of the House Appropriations, Education and Joint Legislative Audit Committees. Parker has been a teacher in the Glendale Union High School District since 1995 and he has served as the AP U.S. History instructor at Thunderbird High School for the past 15 years. Since 2003, Parker has acted as the mentor-on- assignment at Thunderbird High School, providing instructional coaching and facilitating professional development workshops for teachers new to the district. Throughout his career, Parker has been an assistant varsity football coach while also completing stints as a baseball and track coach. An active member of the Glendale Union Education Association, Jonathan Parker has been elected to local and state positions, including current roles as the GUEA President, and the sole teacher representative on the State Board of Education's Professional Practices Advisory Committee. Rep. Paul Boyer Shadowed Thunderbird High School Teacher Jonathan Parker Learn more about the Take Your Legislator to School initiative at azedfoundation.org/ programs/take-your-legislator- to-school and follow the visits between legislators and teachers online by searching #TYLTSAZ! n