Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1533002
ASSOCIATION GOVERNANCE 12 ADVOCATE | SPRING 2025 AEA Board of Directors 3 years Paradise Valley EA Vice President 2 years Paradise Valley EA Secretary 1 year Growing up in a strong union household, I spent Sundays at my Dad's union hall, learning the values of solidarity and collective action. is upbringing shaped my perspective on unions and working together for common goals. Upon moving to Arizona in 2015, I joined AEA and Balsz EA on my first day on campus. Later, in the Paradise Valley School District, I became deeply involved in union service. As Chair of the PV Fund for Children, our local PAC, I coordinated PVEA's response during the 2018 Red for Ed movement, helping to organize our walkout in one of the largest school districts in the state. My involvement in PVEA grew, serving as a site leader, executive board member, Secretary, and Vice President. I helped the union navigate challenges like COVID, declining enrollment, and anti-union sentiment. Working closely with our Treasurer, I ensure our budget funds leadership growth and development. As an AEA Board of Directors member, I implemented our union's vision on a larger scale, chairing the Compliance and Review committee to ensure AEA's democratic principles are carried out. roughout my union career, I've worked with diverse stakeholders to advocate for educators' respect and dignity. As AEA Treasurer, I aim to create a budget reflecting members' desire for union growth and delivering results for Arizona schools and their dedicated staff. My journey from a union household to union leadership has equipped me with the experience and passion to serve and support our collective goals in education. AEA Treasurer, 3-year term Margaret Chaney Home Phone: 520-891-9213 Local Association: Tucson School District Employed: Tucson Unified Years Employed: 20 Employment Position: CRC Mentor Teacher Subject/Grade Level: 6-12 Total Years of Educational Employment: 35 Total Years as an AEA Member: 17 Total Years as an NEA Member: 17 Higher Education Degrees Held: B.S. College of Communications (Southern Il Univ); M.Ed- Secondary Ed (NAU) List (up to 4) the most important positions held in local, state, and/or national education associations: Local President Tucson Education Assc 4 years Vice President Tucson Education Assc 2 years Ethnic Minority at Large Tucson Education Assc 4 years Transparency, Fiscal Responsibility & Solidarity will be the foundations of my pledge to members if elected as Treasurer of the Arizona Education Association. Our Union has undergone a multitude of challenges over the years and throughout it all, we have maintained our integrity and ethics. While serving as Tucson EA's President, I became known for my ability to ask questions, present possibilities and calmly & patiently listening to members while helping them create solutions. My intention is to continue to employ these same skills at the state level. I have served as President and VP for the largest active local in Arizona representing both ESP's and certified teachers; a representative for the AEA Delegate Assembly as well as in the NEA RA for multiple years; an integral member of our Social Justice committee and the AEA/NEA Black Caucus. I have also had the distinct pleasure to be selected to lead as part of the training cohort for local presidents across the country though the NCUEA/NEA for the past 2 years. As a veteran classroom teacher and now as a mentor teacher, I understand many of the hardships that certified and classified are facing in the ever-changing attacks against public education. I have seen resources depleted in our schools, and educators struggle because their students are suffering on so many levels. ESP At-Large Director, 3-year term Silvia Vallin-Alvarado Home Phone: 480-205-3593 Local Association: ESP of Chandler School District Employed: Chandler Unified School District Years Employed: 17 Employment Position: Elem. Office Manager Subject/Grade Level: Elementary Total Years of Educational Employment: 17 Total Years as an AEA Member: 15 Total Years as an NEA Member: 15 Higher Education Degrees Held: High School Graduate List (up to 4) the most important positions held in local, state, and/or national education associations: AEA ESP Director 09/2024-current President of ESP of Chandler 2008-present ESP Membership Task Force 10/24-present Statement: I have the honor of representing our union as the AEA ESP-At-Large Alternate Director -2024- Current. Hispanic Caucus Member 2002-current, AEA Member since 2007-present. President to my district union- ESP of Chandler 2009-Present. ESP At-Large Director, 3-year term Anthony James Benavidez Home Phone: 5205915947 Local Association: Amphi EA School District Employed: Amphitheater Years Employed: 6 Employment Position: Teacher's assistant Subject/Grade Level: Prek-12 Total Years of Educational Employment: 18 Total Years as an AEA Member: 4 Total Years as an NEA Member: 4 Higher Education Degrees Held: List (up to 4) the most important positions held in local, state, and/or national education associations: Amphitheater 6 years Oracle School District 16 years ESP Alternate At-Large Director, 3-year term No candidates submitted AEA Retired Director, 3-year term Luci Messing Home Phone: 520-591-7615 Local Association: AEA Retired School District Employed: Retired Years Employed: 31 Employment Position: Physical Ed Teacher Subject/Grade Level: 7-12 Total Years of Educational Employment: 45 Total Years as an AEA Member: 45 Total Years as an NEA Member: 45 Higher Education Degrees Held: N/A List (up to 4) the most important positions held in local, state, and/or national education associations: Tucson EA President 2009-2011 AEA Director 2006-2009, 2022-2025 NEA RA Delegate numerous years AEA Delegate numerous years I am running for re-election to the AEA Board. I want to continue to represent retirees and all members of the Association. It is important that we maintain our focus to protect public education. I have institutional knowledge since I served on the AEA Board from 2006-2009 when I was still an active teacher. It is my intent to serve the next three years by listening to constituents, responding in a timely manner, and offering solutions to the issues surrounding public education. In addition, protecting our pension which is a defined benefit is another area that requires our attention. I will continue my efforts along with the AEA Retired Board and members to insure that the ASRS pension remains strong. I ask for your vote for AEA Retired Director to the AEA Board. AEA Alternate Retired Director, 3-year term Marilyn Calhoun Home Phone: 520-661-1919 Local Association: Retired