AZ School Works is proud to be a co-sponsor of the Maricopa County Democratic Party Election Night Celebration from 7:00 – 9:00pm at the Wyndham Phoenix (50 E. Adams Street).At 9:00pm, we will then head over to the main ballroom for the Arizona Democratic Party Celebration.I would like to extend a personal invitation to all our supporters to join us for what we hope will be an historic and tremendously exciting evening as we watch the election results come in.
SUPPORT PROPOSITION 403 IN TUCSON
We are also proud to support Proposition 403, the Invest In Our Kids referendum, that will be on the ballot in Tucson.Proposition 403 will reduce class sizes, increase pay for teachers in hard-to-fill positions, such as math, science and special education, and expand the award-winning Opening Minds Through the Arts (OMA) program, that puts music and art into the classroom.Please consider making a contribution in these final days to support this important initiative for our children in Tucson Unified School District by visiting their website:www.investinourkids.com.All contributions will help air the following TV advertisement:
REMEMBER TO VOTE FOR OUR ENDORSED SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES
Robin Stamp, Madison Elementary School District
Aaron Jahneke, Washington School District
Sherri Connell and Rochelle Wells, Tempe Elementary School District
Magdalena Barajas, Sunnyside Unified School District
Matt Jewett and Carl Zaragoza, Creighton Elementary School District
Lela Alston and Steve Gallardo, Phoenix Union High School District
Ann Huberman-Arnaud, Glendale Elementary School District
Zita Johnson, Tempe Union High School District
Norma Munoz, Roosevelt Elementary School District
Paige Frenkel, Scottsdale Unified School District
Theresa Martinez, Osborn Elementary School District
Mark Stegeman, Tucson Unified School District
Virgel Cain, Cave Creek Unified School District
As always, thank you for your interest and support.
With hope and determination,
Jason Williams, Founder and Chairman
Early voting has begun; and I am excited to announce our officially endorsed governing board candidates for 2008! AZ School Works’ endorsement does not come lightly, and only the most committed and proven public school advocates receive our support.
Robin Stamp, Madison Elementary School District
Aaron Jahneke, Washington School District
Sherri Connell and Rochelle Wells, Tempe Elementary School District
Magdalena Barajas, Sunnyside Unified School District
Matt Jewett and Carl Zaragoza, Creighton Elementary School District
Lela Alston and Steve Gallardo, Phoenix Union High School District
Ann Huberman-Arnaud, Glendale Elementary School District
Zita Johnson, Tempe Union High School District
Norma Munoz, Roosevelt Elementary School District
Paige Frenkel, Scottsdale Unified School District
Theresa Martinez, Osborn Elementary School District
Mark Stegeman, Tucson Unified School District
Virgel Cain, Cave Creek Unified School District Read the rest of this entry »
I have a double major (magna cum laude) in Mathematics and Economics from Pomona College, a Ph.D. in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a tenured faculty appointment in the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona.
I served on TUSD’s superintendent search committee earlier this year, have served on TUSD’s audit committee since its creation in 2007, and attended dozens of Board meetings. No one currently on the Board has a financial background or experience as an educator, but TUSD is in the business of education and would benefit from both.
TUSD cannot continue down its current path. The district must tighten procurement and financial controls, streamline administration, listen to the suggestions of employees and others in the community, learn from other schools and districts, develop the habit of planning ahead, and install a culture of excellence and professionalism. I will support the new superintendent as she makes these reforms. TUSD must admit its weaknesses and move aggressively to fix them, so that the district can build on its real strengths. Read the rest of this entry »
My name is Virgel Cain and I am a candidate for the Cave Creek Unified School District #93 Governing Board. I was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board and have been a sitting Board member since August 1st. of this year as well as running for a full four year term at the upcoming November 4th. election. My two daughters are products of CCUSD and my granddaughter currently attends Desert Willow Elementary School. I’ve been a community activist for a number of years, a resident of the district since 1995, and I always lean towards what is best for OUR children and that is why I am running for the CCUSD Governing Board. I have promised myself that my final question before each vote on the Board will be “how does this benefit OUR children’s education.” Read the rest of this entry »
It would be my privilege to serve on the Osborn Elementary School District Governing School Board. A native Phoenician, I come from a family of educators. My father taught Band for 35 years in the Washington Elementary School District, and my mother entered the classroom with my youngest brother as a kindergarten teacher’s aide; 15 years later, she is still there.
My experience as a successful former urban public school teacher in a school with 100 percent free and/or reduced lunch positions me to be successful when facing similar challenges in the Osborn District. Starting well below grade level, my students made significant academic writing gains because I believed that they could, and together we worked relentlessly towards that goal. In the classroom, I found that the more I expected from my students, the better they performed. I also understand the systemic problems inherent in public education and the need for a holistic approach. My educational philosophy and belief is simply that all students can and must learn at high levels. Read the rest of this entry »
All Children deserve the opportunity to a high quality education and for that very reason I am running for a position on the Scottsdale School Board.
My experience includes nearly a decade as a classroom educator, an educational technology consultant, Site Council representative, Tempe Parents for the Gifted Executive Board Member and PTO Board Member. I understand what it takes for teachers to be successful in the classroom. As a school board member, I will work to provide quality teachers with the resources, working conditions and practical professional development opportunities required to facilitate the optimal level of learning for students.
As an educational consultant, I have worked with school district administrators, teachers, children and parents throughout the country to integrate technology into the classroom. Technology that supports best practices while promoting student engagement, collaboration, critical thinking and communication skills is critically important for our children. Providing technology to our children will prepare them to be the leaders of tomorrow. Read the rest of this entry »
I am a life long west valley resident who has had the pleasure representing Phoenix Union High School District for the last 4 years. My number one priority as a board member has always been to make sure our students have every tool necessary to be successful in and outside our class rooms. Every student should have the opportunity to seek post secondary education. I will continue to work hard to ensure that our certify and classify employees are treated with respect and given the tools they need to do there job. I have worked and fought for better pay for teachers and develope dropout prevention programs. I have also led the efforts for real immigration reform at the state legislature. It is an issue that I take seriously and advocate for real systemic comprehensive immigration reform at both the state and national levels. I fully understand the impact our nation broken immigration system has on our students daily lives. I bring real experience, a dedicated work ethic and leadership to the school board and with the support of the voters in PHUSD will continue the work to move our district forward.
For the past 18 months I have had the honor to serve as a governing board member of the Tempe Elementary School District No. 3. As a parent of three children in middle school in this school district, I believe that I represent the daily life within the schools. My volunteer work in the schools and with Arizona PTA led me to see the needs of our students and our educational system. As a social worker, I understand that people are passionate about our schools. I embrace the opportunity to listen to their concerns so that I can be an advocate for our students, teachers, and staff.
Our nation has had governing boards since 1642. The founders of our nation wanted to be sure that schools were controlled by local residents. Over the past 18 months, I have experienced first-hand that local control is still important today. How exciting it is when 150 people come to a board meeting to voice their concerns! School districts should be the basic structure of a democratic system. I am also grateful to the people who call me daily with their concerns—sometimes they give compliments. I believe that the partnership between the schools and the community is necessary in order to have successful schools and students. Read the rest of this entry »
I was brought into this country as a little girl of 2 years old of immigrant parents who wanted what all parents want for their children: a better opportunity. My parents were poor but they taught me values that guide me today in all that I do. They talked about the importance of honesty and integrity and hard work ethics. They taught me that education would be my eyes to the world and how I should continue on to finish school. Most of all they instilled in me the gratitude to this country and all the opportunities that it has to offer. They made me understand that I could be anything that I wished to be if I applied myself to my goals. I follow that belief today in all that I do.
I have been a member of south Phoenix almost all of my life. I raised my five children in this community and most of them still live here today. I am proud to be a part of the Roosevelt family and I have a passion to make the Roosevelt School District schools the best that they can possibly be.
Recently, I stood firm against a state takeover that our own state legislators sponsored and supported. I will always support my community against any violations or intrusions that compromise the dignity and pride that the people of south Phoenix possess. The people of this community need a voice that speaks for them and not for political reasons. All children can learn regardless of their socio-economic status and all the barriers that they face everyday of their lives; I believe this because I was one of these children. I know that RSD together with parents and with our community stake holders can continue the necessary improvements needed for positive change and academic success in our school district.
On July 31, 2008, the AZ State Board of Education ruled that there would be no state takeover of the Roosevelt School District. They recognized the significant progress in learning that this year’s AIMS tests revealed and the solid implementation of improvement that the district and the board had done to make this possible. The hard work and dedication that I was part of makes me feel very proud to be of this community and the Roosevelt school district. I will continue to advocate for our south Phoenix community and recognize the great work that our teachers have done and I will ensure that the success in the teaching and the learning of our children in Roosevelt will continue.
I have a double major (magna cum laude) in Mathematics and Economics from Pomona College, a Ph.D. in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a tenured faculty appointment in the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona.
My name is Virgel Cain and I am a candidate for the Cave Creek Unified School District #93 Governing Board. I was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board and have been a sitting Board member since August 1st. of this year as well as running for a full four year term at the upcoming November 4th. election. My two daughters are products of CCUSD and my granddaughter currently attends Desert Willow Elementary School. I’ve been a community activist for a number of years, a resident of the district since 1995, and I always lean towards what is best for OUR children and that is why I am running for the CCUSD Governing Board. I have promised myself that my final question before each vote on the Board will be “how does this benefit OUR children’s education.” 
It would be my privilege to serve on the Osborn Elementary School District Governing School Board. A native Phoenician, I come from a family of educators. My father taught Band for 35 years in the Washington Elementary School District, and my mother entered the classroom with my youngest brother as a kindergarten teacher’s aide; 15 years later, she is still there.
All Children deserve the opportunity to a high quality education and for that very reason I am running for a position on the Scottsdale School Board.
I am a life long west valley resident who has had the pleasure representing Phoenix Union High School District for the last 4 years. My number one priority as a board member has always been to make sure our students have every tool necessary to be successful in and outside our class rooms. Every student should have the opportunity to seek post secondary education. I will continue to work hard to ensure that our certify and classify employees are treated with respect and given the tools they need to do there job. I have worked and fought for better pay for teachers and develope dropout prevention programs. I have also led the efforts for real immigration reform at the state legislature. It is an issue that I take seriously and advocate for real systemic comprehensive immigration reform at both the state and national levels. I fully understand the impact our nation broken immigration system has on our students daily lives. I bring real experience, a dedicated work ethic and leadership to the school board and with the support of the voters in PHUSD will continue the work to move our district forward.
For the past 18 months I have had the honor to serve as a governing board member of the Tempe Elementary School District No. 3. As a parent of three children in middle school in this school district, I believe that I represent the daily life within the schools. My volunteer work in the schools and with Arizona PTA led me to see the needs of our students and our educational system. As a social worker, I understand that people are passionate about our schools. I embrace the opportunity to listen to their concerns so that I can be an advocate for our students, teachers, and staff.
I was brought into this country as a little girl of 2 years old of immigrant parents who wanted what all parents want for their children: a better opportunity. My parents were poor but they taught me values that guide me today in all that I do. They talked about the importance of honesty and integrity and hard work ethics. They taught me that education would be my eyes to the world and how I should continue on to finish school. Most of all they instilled in me the gratitude to this country and all the opportunities that it has to offer. They made me understand that I could be anything that I wished to be if I applied myself to my goals. I follow that belief today in all that I do.