Arizona Education Association

Summer 2017

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A new school year can bring with it a new group of students to work with, a new site to call home, or new colleagues to welcome to the job. It also means the opportunity to bring new members into the fold and share the story of the Association and the work we all do together for our students and professions. Two million new educators will enter the workforce in the next ten years. Each one of them needs to hear our story. Each one of them needs to understand the potential of our collective power. Each one of them needs to be asked to join. We have a responsibility to ourselves and our colleagues to ensure we are treated fairly and paid a competitive wage. We have a responsibility to the future teacher to whom we hand over our classroom or to the future education support professional who joins our ranks that we will leave the job better than it was when we started. It's easy to take for granted working conditions we currently enjoy, such as a duty-free lunch or prep time, but we must remember someone took a risk in the past and fought for those benefits. Today, we are the education leaders who must take a stand and fight for the working conditions and resources needed not only for our own success, but to ensure future colleagues will see success with their students. You and the thousands of educators across the state share these responsibilities, and if we stand together we will build a better future for ourselves and our students. That means talking to colleagues about the Association. That means talking about our victories and what we are fighting for at the local and state levels. That means encouraging people to join AEA. Remember, things will only get better once we demand they get better and then take the actions necessary for policy makers to meet our demands. We must summon the courage to act if we want decision makers to listen to us and make the change we want for a better, stronger Arizona. That starts with your colleagues next door. Ask them to join AEA—to join you – in our fight for respect and for the schools we all deserve to work in. Have an amazing year. 4 ADVOCATE | SUMMER 2017 IN SOLIDARITY by Joe Thomas AEA OFFICERS Joe Thomas President Marisol Garcia Vice President Angela Philpot Treasurer AEA STAFF Mark J. Simons Executive Director Sheenae Shannon Editor Roxanne Rash Graphic Design Advertising The AEA Advocate is published by the Arizona Education Association, 345 East Palm Lane, Phoenix, Arizona 85004-1532. Phone: 602- 264-1774 or 800-352-5411 Fax: 602-240-6887. Email: sheenae.shannon@arizonaea.org. AEA's website may be found at www.arizonaea.org. Permission to reprint any material originating with this publication is granted provided that credit is given to the AEA Advocate. The AEA Advocate (ISSN 0194-8849) is published in Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer for $3.50 per year by the Arizona Education Association, 345 East Palm Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85004-1532. Periodicals postage paid at Phoenix, Arizona. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the AEA Advocate, 345 East Palm Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85004-1532. Moving? Please let us know before you go. Simply clip your mailing label from the back of the Advocate and send it along with your new address to: AEA Advocate 345 East Palm Lane Phoenix, Arizona 85004-1532 - 9 n Joseph H. Thomas, President Arizona Education Association

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