Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1526751
4 ADVOCATE | FALL 2024 IN SOLIDARITY by Marisol Garcia AEA OFFICERS Marisol Garcia President Angela Philpot Vice President Amber Gould Treasurer AEA STAFF John Wright Interim Executive Director Emily Kirkland Editor Roxanne Rash Graphic Design Advertising e 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: Emily.Kirkland@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. e 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 Marisol Garcia, President Arizona Education Association Dear all, I'm so excited to share this resource guide with you! In these pages, you'll learn more about how our union works and your bene ts as a union member. More importantly, you'll nd information about how to get involved, whether you're brand-new or have been a member for years. is organization is made up of public school educators just like yourself. Current public school teachers and sta are the ones who determine our union's agenda, how we spend our due dollars, and which candidates we should endorse for public o ce. As public school educators, we created this union as a democratic organization, run by us and for us, because we knew we needed a collective voice on school funding, educator pay and so much more. As a union, we are only as strong as our members. In joining, you've already taken the rst and most important step. And the more you can do, the stronger we'll be. ings are tough right now in Arizona public schools. Class sizes are way too big, and there are too many students for every adult. Many buildings are severely under- maintained. Supplies and resources are lacking. e overall expectations for teachers and sta have gotten ridiculous. And I won't lie to you: the current status quo isn't going to change overnight. But by working together, we can and will change it. Our union is one of the fastest-growing educator unions in the country, and together, we're building the power we need to turn things around. So talk to your colleagues and coworkers about joining our union. Vote for pro- education candidates up and down the ballot using the recommendations in our voter guide. Show up for local and state-wide events and make your voice heard. I can't wait to see you out there. In solidarity, pertenezco pertenezco I belong pertenezc belong Yo pertenezco belong Yo pertenezco I belong belong Y pertenezc