Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/754176
8 ADVOCATE | WINTER 2016 Around AEA O n September 17, 2016, AEA Educators Soaring with Aspiring Goals (eSWAG) held a bazaar for new teachers at AEA headquarters. The event was open to all AEA members and provided free classroom supplies to educators just starting out in their careers. AEA eSWAG is a group of educators focused on supporting those who are new to the teaching profession by providing opportunities for professional development, community outreach, and networking. Through the summer months eSWAG members gathered thousands of classroom supplies such as colored and copy paper, markers, bulletin board materials, scissors, binders, calculators, push pins, rulers, colored pencils, teacher text books, maps, and more at AEA headquarters in Phoenix. These materials were dropped off by veteran and retired teachers who wanted to give back to their profession and help new teachers starting out. Roosevelt Education Association member Wann Sierra is a first-year teacher and was excited to attend the bazaar. "This is a very cool event and great opportunity for a new school teacher like me to collect these materials, all free, for my classroom." AEA provided free food and a DJ with music for the 50 participants at the bazaar. Student members, Sophie Silvas, Kaitlyn Nunez, and Sophia Williams were appreciative of the free materials and said it would help them get a good start to their teaching careers. "We are absolutely loving this experience and thank you so much for helping us make our classrooms look great and giving us all these materials for our first classroom ever." To learn more about eSWAG and see pictures and videos from this event visit arizonaea.org/eswag or like us on facebook. com/AEAeSWAG. Early Career Educators Helping New Teachers