Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/83243
PERSPECTIVE NATIONAL "You can't help the American people with- out helping education." — Barack Obama, President "We need to support our members to define what good teaching looks like – so others can't reduce good teaching to standardized tests." — Dennis Van Roekel, NEA President Award. The annual award recognizes and honors governors who have made major, state- level education strides that improve public schools. "I am very honored to receive this award from educators across America," said Gov. Dayton. "As a former public school teacher, I know how challenging their jobs are. I promised that my administration would make education and jobs my highest priorities." Educators also heard from President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, who said that Governor Mitt Romney's attacks on teachers and public education are fundamentally an attack on the middle class. Romney's vision of education is a system that only benefits the richest Americans, Obama said. But the power of public education is its potential for personal growth and collective progress. "You can't help the American people," he said, "without helping education." 2 TOP: Arizona delegates greeting President Barack Obama on conference call at the NEA RA. CENTER: Arizona new delegate Matthew Martin at the 91st Representative Assembly. Photo credit Calvin Knight Arizona delegates react to phone call from President Barack Obama at the NEA's 2012 RA. AEA Advocate ❘ Fall 2012 29