Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1533002
ASSOCIATION GOVERNANCE 13 SPRING 2025 | ADVOCATE AEA Alternate Retired Director, 3-year term Janice Dwosh Home Phone: 6026894419 Local Association: AEA-Retired School District Employed: retired educator (worked in PVUSD) Years Employed: 20+ Employment Position: elementary educator Subject/Grade Level: 3rd-6th gied specialist Total Years of Educational Employment: 20 Total Years as an AEA Member: 27 Total Years as an NEA Member: 27 Higher Education Degrees Held: Master of Arts in Education, Curriculum and Instruction List (up to 4) the most important positions held in local, state, and/or national education associations: AEA-Retired secretary and executive board member 6 years NEA Retired Racial/Social Justice committee member , co-chair and conference presenter 4 years NEA Womens Issues Committee member 2 years NEA Leaders for Just Schools program : member and alum 6 years I would be honored to represent you on the AEA Board of Directors as AEA Retired Alternate Director. My experience as an active and retired leader, working collaboratively to support our Arizona retired members, active educators, as well as public school students is critical for AEA. I will represent all of you in my work for AEA! As a career-long AEA, PVEA, and AEA Retired member, I have been an active member/leader. Since joining AEA Retired I have been engaged in membership, political action, executive board leadership, ed justice, and fighting for our pensions and Social Security. I am always willing to meet with members, and have been a liaison with PVEA since retiring. As a member of the AEA Committee on Racial/Social Justice, I collaborate with educators from across the state. Also on the NEA Women's Issues Committee I meet with educators from across the country to problem solve issues of women's healthcare, safety, and equity. For the past six years I have trained in education justice through the NEA Leaders for Just Schools program, completing LJS with an equity symposium presentation to 100+ members in 2024. I have been blessed to learn and make many amazing connections in NEA with this opportunity. I have also presented at the past three NEA Retired Conferences, and am co-chair for the NEA Retired RSJ committee. My passion is supporting our valued members in the fight for strong public education! Please give me your important vote for this position. AEA Alternate Retired Director, 3-year term Ken Freed Home Phone: 520-298-7316 Local Association: Arizona Education Association Retired School District Employed: Formerly Tucson USD Years Employed: 33 Employment Position: Classroom Teacher Subject/Grade Level: 5-8 students at risk of failing Total Years of Educational Employment: 33 Total Years as an AEA Member: 55 Total Years as an NEA Member: 55 Higher Education Degrees Held: B.S. in Business Administration/ Teaching Credential/ Masters in Elementary Education List (up to 4) the most important positions held in local, state, and/or national education associations: Active local (TEA) president 1986-89 Retired local (AEA-R) Vice-President 2021-24 State- Board of Director Member 1990-94, 1999- 2005, 2018-2021 NEA- Board of Director Member 1999-2005 Region 1 Director, 3-year term Nate Ratey Home Phone: 520-869-6236 Local Association: Tucson E.A. School District Employed: Tucson Years Employed: 6 Employment Position: Classroom Teacher Subject/Grade Level: 5 Total Years of Educational Employment: 12 Total Years as an AEA Member: 11 Total Years as an NEA Member: 11 Higher Education Degrees Held: bachelor's degree List (up to 4) the most important positions held in local, state, and/or national education associations: President of Sahuarita 2014-2019 TEA Board Member 2019-Present My name is Nate Ratey and I would be honored to have your support for a second term as your region one director. I am the son of a public school teacher and the proud product of Arizona public schools. Over the past three years I have served on the AEA board, helping lead our organization through tremendous growth, a challenging state government, and changes within our union itself. I have unique experiences and perspectives of leadership in Arizona, a state with large metropolitan school districts and smaller, rural school districts, because I have led in both. As the past president of Sahurita E.A. I understand the challenges of leading a small, somewhat rural local. As a member of Tucson E.A. board of directors, I understand the challenges of Arizona's biggest, metropolitan local. In truth the future of our organization is not about what I have done, but what we will do together. We are facing unbelievable challenges today. We are seeing hostility towards everyone and everything we stand for, from all levels of government. But nothing lasts forever. We. Will. Win. at I am sure of. I ask for your support for a second term as your region one director. Region 2 Director, 3-year term Felisa Alberts Home Phone: (480)233-1146 Local Association: Mesa Education Association School District Employed: Mesa Public Schools Years Employed: 9 Employment Position: Certified staff Subject/Grade Level: 5th Grade Teacher Total Years of Educational Employment: 11 Total Years as an AEA Member: 9 Total Years as an NEA Member: 9 Higher Education Degrees Held: Masters in Educational Administration and a Masters in Curriculum & Instruction with an Emphasis in STEM Instruction List (up to 4) the most important positions held in local, state, and/or national education associations: Mesa Education Association Executive Board- Elementary Representative 2023-2025 My name is Felisa Alberts, and I am excited to announce my candidacy for AEA Region 2 Director. I am running because I am deeply committed to serving union members and making a meaningful impact across Arizona. Our profession faces many challenges, but by working together and standing strong as a union, we can find solutions, advocate for our needs, and create real, lasting change. As your Region 2 Director, I will focus on collaboration, problem-solving, and keeping members informed. I believe that strong leadership comes from listening, engaging, and working alongside educators to address the issues that matter most—fair wages, better working conditions, and ensuring our schools are fully funded and supported. By partnering with AEA leadership, I will work to find solutions that benefit all educators and improve the future of public education in Arizona. Keeping members informed is also a top priority. Transparency and communication are key to a strong union, and I will ensure that you stay up to date on AEA news, initiatives, and policy changes that impact our profession. An informed membership is an empowered membership, and together, we can make a difference. I would be honored to earn your support and serve as your voice within AEA. Let's stand together, solve problems, and strengthen our union for the future. Continues, next page.