Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/477223
14 Spring 2015 | AEA Advocate AROUND AEA AROUND AEA AROUND AEA AROUND AEA This past January, the AEA Latino Outreach Cadre hosted trainings in Phoenix and Tucson on how Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parental Accountability or Deferred Action for Parents (DAPA) impact educational opportunities for Arizona kids. The trainings were facilitated in partnership with the Arizona Dream Act Coalition, Living United for Change, Promise Arizona, and other community partners. DACA is the U.S. Department of Homeland Security program granting protection from deportation for specifi c undocumented children. As part of President Obama's new administrative action on immigration, DACA has been expanded and a new program called DAPA was created to extend protection from deportation and work permission for undocumented parents of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents who came to the United States before January 1, 2010. "We know that this decision will shield from deportation families seeking to stay together, add to the rich and robust cultural tapestry of our country, contribute to our economy, and pursue the American dream," said NEA President Lily Eskelsen García. "That's why we welcome the president's proposal. Since its inception two years ago, DACA has kept an estimated 700,000 students and their families together. Expanding DACA will lift the cloud of deportation from the lives of many more aspiring Americans across the nation." "Arizona educators have seen the harmful impact the current immigration system has had on our students and families. AEA is an advocate of common sense immigration reform and we see this action as a step forward, but children, students in our schools, will continue to be traumatized by the deportation or possible deportation of a parent," said AEA President Andrew F. Morrill. "It's not the American way to tear families apart or make families choose between staying together with some of their loved ones and leaving some behind." More than 80 participants attended the two trainings, which brought together educators and elected offi cials in the community to work together and learn how to help our undocumented students and their families. n AEA members from all over the state recently attended several professional development opportunities held by the AEA Quality Teaching and Learning (QT&L) department. In January, AEA staff Nell Pederson and Ann Smith conducted two workshops – one on the prevention and intervention of bullying and sexual harassment and the other covering cultural competency and social justice and what does a culturally responsive classroom look like. AEA Lobbyist gave a presentation on what's going on at the Arizona Legislature in early February, discussing what bills were proposed, what's at stake in the budget, and what activities local associations can organize around. AEA eSWAG members presented a classroom management training called "I Can Do It," which goes over effective communication, learning styles, intervention techniques, rules and routines, and how to build positive parent/ teacher relationships. They also presented on using digital apps and technology in the classroom for members in Tucson. Participants received continuing credit hours for most of these workshops. For more information about upcoming professional development opportunities, contact AEA QT&L Organizational Consultant Nell Pederson at nell.pederson@arizonaea.org or 602-407-2313. n Educators Learn About Opportunities for Undocumented Youth Arizona Members Learn New Ways to Advocate for Students