Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1546862
Dear Union Siblings, I have told the story a hundred times, but the first day I was given keys to my classroom, I was in shock. Barren walls, a ripped up class set of social studies textbooks, stained carpets and mismatched desks (5 less than I needed). I was handed a small clear garbage bag with post-it notes, 3 boxes of pencils, a stapler, and some staples. ere was only so much I could do at that point to change the situation I was in; I leaned on my colleagues and my family to get ready. Students were coming in 8 days. I had a job to do, the families and students expected a prepared teacher, a safe classroom, and academic outcomes that would ensure opportunities. As I traced the policies that led my students and colleagues to the dire situation we were facing, it led to one place…. e policymakers. As a history teacher I knew the systems that were needed to replace them. I had learned, and taught my students, that change only comes when a group of frustrated people come together to propose solutions, make their demands known and fight for results. Arizona educators need to fight back. When we fight, we win. Arizona's public schools and public school educators have been robbed and neglected for years. Not much has changed since July of 2005 (that first day). And I'm beyond frustrated. At the 2026 Delegate Assembly, I shared how since my first day in the classroom, lines of acceptance were crossed. Almost every day I was teaching, I compromised on what my students deserved, and what I deserved. I made up the difference to my family and to my detriment. My students needed snacks, so I would drop my son off at his school and run to the grocery store. No colored pencils for the map lesson I needed to teach, so I would run to the store to buy. Professional development needed to keep my credential, I would take time away from my son, unpaid to meet the new policy. Every single one of the situations I was in, you are put in daily. is is unacceptable, and yet we continue to accept it. We find the strength, the time, the money to do these things for our students, because at the end of the day we as educators have been failed. Failed by policymakers, failed by those in power and the people who fund them. My red line has been crossed too many times. But what is your red line? What is your personal tipping point to take your frustration into action? Just this summer, Arizona educators faced the greatest threat to our power when the Arizona Legislature referred HCR2040 to the ballot. at measure was designed and written to directly undermine our capacity to organize and collectively bargain and fight for fair pay and better working conditions. at's right. Aer everything they've thrown at us and everything going on, they still don't tire of making Arizona educators a target. at should be the redline for all of us. And it's time for all of us to put that frustration into action. Because no one is going to save Arizona educators except us Arizona educators. If we want to prevent HCR2040 from coming back and stop other anti-educator initiatives and laws from passing, we have to send these anti-education legislators back home and elect a pro-public education majority in both houses of the Arizona Legislature. We have the power to do that this November. We've seen that when educators use our voice, we can change the world. We're counting on you to join us, because the stakes are high. Make sure you're registered to vote, and then make sure your friends and neighbors and coworkers are. Let's organize, let's organize and let's elect pro-education leaders up and down the ballot! 1 ADVOCATE | FALL 2026 IN SOLIDARITY by Marisol Garcia AEA OFFICERS Marisol Garcia President Angela Philpot Vice President Margaret Chaney Treasurer AEA STAFF David Petruzzi Interim Executive Director Susie Seep Editor Allison Crompton Senior Graphic Design & Communications Specialist 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: info@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