Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/83243
WE ARE AEA! • WE ARE AEA! • WE ARE AEA! • WE ARE AEA! AEA mEmbEr SElEctEd AS uSdE tEAching AmbASSAdor fElloW Cheryl Redfield, a National Board Certified teacher in English Language Arts at Highland Junior High and Gilbert EA member, was selected as one of 12 teachers in the nation to serve as a 2012-2013 U.S. Department of Education Teaching Ambassador Fellow. The Teaching Ambassador Fellowship program, now in its fifth year, gives outstanding teachers an opportunity to learn about national policy issues in education and to contribute their expertise to those discussions. In addition, Fellows share what they've learned with other teachers, enhancing communication between classroom teachers and the U.S. Department of Education on federal initiatives. "This is an important extension of my commitment to elevate the teaching profession," Redfield said. "The U.S. Department of Education wants to hear teachers' voices during the decision process, not after the decisions are made. As a teacher, that's important to me." AEA mEmbEr fEAturEd in PbS Story PUHSD CTA member Jeanne Erickson, an Alhambra ELL teacher, was featured in a PBS "Nightly Business Report" about the Troops to Teachers program this past May. Erickson served as a master sergeant in the Army Reserve and National Guard for 22 years before becoming a teacher. She has been active in the Troops to Teachers program for the past 10 years, supporting new teachers retired from active duty. Erickson noted that her military background helps her in the classroom. Troops to Teachers is a national program funded by the Department of Defense designed to assist eligible military personnel in achieving their goal of becoming a teacher in the U.S. public school system by providing grants towards degrees and certification. The program also helps applicants identify teacher certification requirements, programs leading to certification, and employment opportunities. For more information, visit www. proudtoserveagain.com. ✒ AEA Advocate ❘ Fall 2012 33 Redfield is the first Teaching Ambassador Fellow ever selected from Arizona. She is one of the six Fellows who will remain in the classroom and participate on a part-time basis. Teaching Ambassador Fellow appointments are highly competitive, and Redfield was selected as one of 12 from a field of 625 highly qualified teachers representing nearly every state. ✒ AEA mEmbEr nAmEd cochiSE county tEAchEr of thE yEAr Barbara Williams, long-time AEA member and the immediate past president of the Sierra Vista Classroom Teachers Association, was named the Cochise County Teacher of the Year. Williams was honored at the Cochise Education Foundation's annual ceremony at the Windmere Hotel and Conference Center this past April. Williams was nominated by Buena High School Assistant Principal Elaine Carlson, who stated in the Sierra Vista Herald, "She's one of the best teachers we've ever had at the high school; connects with the kids." ✒