Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/477223
A S S O C I A T I O N G O V E R N A N C E AEA Advocate | Spring 2015 27 2015 AEA Board of Director Candidates NEA STATE DIRECTOR Amber Gould As a high school English and student council teacher, I am excited to take my next step in leadership and run for the NEA State Director position to represent Arizona on a national level. This is a responsibility that needs to be prioritized and I know I can serve Arizona well. I've been involved as an association leader since before I even entered education as a profession. From serving nationally in the student program, to representing my region on the AEA Board of Directors, to chairing our local negotiations team as GUEA Vice President, I know I have the training and leadership abilities to take the State Director position to the next level. Advocating for Arizona comes with the job for the state director, and a quality public education for all students is something that I will continue to fi ght for. I will always speak out for public education and plan to have those same conversations at the capitol as your NEA State director for Arizona. Please vote for Amber Gould as your next NEA State Director! facebook.com/Gould4StateDirector Name: Amber Gould Address: 7278 W. Glenn Drive, Glendale, AZ 85303 Work Phone: 623-915-8557 Home Phone: 602-469-7707 Local Association: Glendale Union EA Education Position: Teacher Years Employed: 4 Total Years of Educational Employment: 4 Total Years as AEA Member: 5 As NEA member: 5 Higher Education Degrees Held: B.S. Secondary Education, English Elective positions held in local, state and/or national education associations: AEA Regional Director, 3 years Glendale Union EA Vice President, 2 years Appointive positions held in local state and/or national education associations: AEA Finance and Revenue Committee, 2 years eSWAG Advisory Committee, 3 years NEA Student Program Advisory Committee, 1 year NEA ALTERNATE STATE DIRECTOR Nidia Lias No statement submitted Name: Nidia Lias Address: 512 N. Criss Street, Chandler, AZ 85226 Work Phone: 602-882-5518 Home Phone: 602-882-5518 Local Association: Tempe Elementary EA A Message from Jason Freed, NEA State Director 9 years ago, and again 6 years ago, I committed to change the alternate NEA Director's position from a "fi ll in" job to a training position. You elected me and I honored that commitment. 3 years ago, you honored me by electing me your junior NEA Director. Unfortunately, due to decreasing membership, Arizona became a single-director state. As a result, that which was done in the past by 2 people, now falls to me. Since I refused to have Arizona underrepresented, I charged forward, making appointments with all 11 members of the Arizona Congressional delegation. I visited/lobbied in each of these offi ces and had success in presenting the NEA position to our Congressional members. I wrote, edited, and presented to the AEA Board, an NEA newsletter after each NEA Board Meeting. At NEA Board meetings President Van Roekel made me a team discussion facilitator, and most recently, President Eskelson-Garcia asked me to chair an NEA Committee. Our AEA has been well represented. As many of you know, I have recently been elected as my local President. Hence, I believe it would be challenging for me to serve 2 masters, NEA Director and Tucson EA President, to the high standards both require. As a result, I will be withdrawing from the upcoming NEA Director election so that I can give the 100% that being a local president deserves. I have appreciated your support, your vote and the trust you have placed in me in the past and look forward to potentially serving you again in the future. Thank you, JASON FREED, NEA Director!!