Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1355740
ASSOCIATION GOVERNANCE SPRING 2021 | ADVOCATE 9 2021 AEA Board of Director Candidates NEA Director Nicole Cozad While this past year has brought about challenges beyond our imagination, we have many accomplishments to celebrate as a union. During my 25 years as an Arizona educator, who was also educated in Arizona's public schools and universities, I know first-hand the struggles we have faced to fulfill our promise of a quality public education to all students in our communities. Yet we faced those obstacles and showed we are a force to be reckoned with. Together we have established a power that we could only have dreamed about a decade ago. As your Region 13 Director, I strived to not only represent the members of my region on the AEA Board of Directors by listening to their concerns, but also ensure that members in my region were given accurate information from their association in a timely manner so they felt empowered to act. During my time on the AEA Board, I took an active role and worked with my colleagues, local leaders, and AEA staff in my region to create meaningful solutions to the problems facing our profession as well as the members of AEA. My colleagues can verify that I am not afraid to ask tough questions and speak truth to power. I now ask that you allow me the privilege of continuing to represent all the amazing educators of Arizona on the NEA Board of Directors. I would be honored by your vote, and I thank you for your support. Address: 4405 W. Pyracantha Dr., Tucson, AZ 85741 Work Phone: 520-616-6400 ext. 5671 Home Phone: 520-275-4315 Local Association: Marana EA Education Position: ELA/9-12 Teacher Years Employed: 25 Total Years of Education Employment: 25 Higher Education Degrees Held: B.S. English/ Secondary Education; M.Ed. Counseling/ Human Relations; National Board Certification, Adolescent/Young Adult English Language Arts Elective positions held in local, state and/or national education associations: NEA Alternate Director, NEA Board of Directors, 2019-Present Region 13 Director, AEA Board of Directors, 2015-Present President, Marana Education Association, 2010- 2015 Appointive positions held in local, state and/or national education associations: Chair, AEA Member Benefits Task Force, 2015-Present Board of Appeals, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), 2011-2014 Board of Examiners, NCATE, 2008-2011 Non-education positions held: Legislative Co-Chair, Delta Kappa Gamma, Current Director, Gatewood Pointe HOA, 2015-Present Kelley Fisher For 22 years I have been a proud member leader of the AEA, and I have served my union in many capacities. My service began in Glendale Elementary as a Site Leader, then in Deer Valley as Executive Board member, Membership Chairperson, Secretary and DVEA Vice President. Currently, I serve as a Director of Region 4 on the AEA Board of Directors. As a Kindergarten teacher, I have always seen myself not only as someone who educates, loves, and nurtures my students, but also an advocate who ensures their experiences in the classroom are engaging, enriching, developmentally appropriate, and most importantly, fully funded. I have been campaigning for fully funded public schools over the years in various ways, but in 2018 this fight was amplified, when I was honored to march alongside 75,000 of you in the streets of downtown Phoenix during our Red for Ed walkout. roughout the Red for Ed movement, my passion for advocacy evolved from standing up for my students, to standing up for all Arizona students. at included ensuring that all students have socially just, equitable, and fully funded schools throughout Arizona. I truly believe that I will bring my passion, experience and commitment for Arizona's students, educators and schools to the position of NEA Director. I will strive to bring our collective educator voices forward in all conversations at the national level to positively impact our public schools and improve student experiences in all of our classrooms every day. Address: 22241 N. 107th Drive, Sun City, AZ 85373 Work Phone: (623) 445-5530 Home Phone: (623) 680-4872 Local Association: Deer Valley Education Association Education Position: Kindergarten Teacher Years Employed: 20 Total Years of Education Employment: 22 Total Years as AEA Member: 22 As NEA Member: 22 Higher Education Degrees Held: Bachelors Degree from Western Illinois University Elective positions held in local, state and/or national education associations: AEA Board of Directors, 4 years Vice President, Deer Valley Education Association, 1 year Secretary, Deer Valley Education Association Appointive positions held in local, state and/or national education associations: Membership Chair Deer Valley Education Association, 6 years Virtual AEA Delegate Assembly May 7-8, 2021 Due to the ongoing pandemic, the AEA Board of Directors voted on February 6, 2021 for the 2021 Delegate Assembly scheduled for May 7-8, 2021 to be held virtually. During the virtual 2021 Delegate Assembly, delegates will be able to debate items of importance to AEA. ese items could include potential amendments to the AEA Constitution, Bylaws, Resolutions, or Legislative Platform. ese items could also include New Business Items that relate to the operation or program areas of AEA. Logistics and further instructions about the virtual Delegate Assembly will be sent directly to elected delegates. For any questions regarding the Delegate Assembly, email Kathryn Shuffield at Kathryn.Shuffield@ arizonaea.org or call at 602-407-2343.