Aug
15

Q&A with AZSW Endorsed Candidate, Anna Huberman-Arnaud, for Glendale Elementary

Posted under Candidates

Anna Huberman-Arnaud
Current Occupation: Court Interpreter

Experience in education:  Degree in Elementary School Education, Adjunct Professor College of Charleston, Co-chair Independence High School Planning
Team and IHS Site Council Community Representative.

Why are you running for school board?
I am a concerned parent, community member and public school advocate interested in the success of Glendale schools.  I believe I can bring ideas and leadership abilities to the school district that will provide resources to our teachers and allow our children to learn in a safe environment where they can achieve their full potential. Read the rest of this entry »

Aug
12

AZSW Endorses Lela Alston for Phoenix Union

Posted under AZ School Works Information

Jason Williams speaks with Lela Alston at the July CTA retreat about her campaign. And, congratulations to Lela for far exceeding her goal for signatures!

Jul
30

Canvassing 101

Posted under Political "How-To's", Vote for Education

One of the most powerful tools in a grassroots campaign, such as a school board race, is canvassing.  It is exceptionally effective.  I’ve knocked on countless doors where the person has told me how nice it was to talk with me, I’ve been the only person to knock on their door, and other positive comments.  Canvassing is personal, it’s cheap, and is the most dramatic way to influence voters. Read the rest of this entry »

Jul
28

AZSW Endorses Zaragoza for Creighton Elementary

Posted under Candidates

Dear Friends,

I am running for the Governing School Board of Creighton Elementary District in Phoenix, AZ. My vision for our community is celebrating sustainable, significant, academic achievement. With you support, we can make this vision a reality.

Today, many people say that Creighton is a decent school district. Eight of nine schools are rated Performing, and two of these schools are rated Performing Plus. According to Arizona’s education accountability ratings, Creighton schools are by and large meeting or slightly exceeding Arizona’s minimal education standards.

Strangely, as a community we currently celebrate schools that just barely meet the already low expectations. Personally, meeting Arizona’s minimal education goals is not nearly good enough. Our current expectations of our children are way too low! With this culture currently intact, our children reach the workforce less educated, unmotivated, and uncompetitive. We must change these expectations immediately. Read the rest of this entry »

Jul
24

Introduction to AZSW’s New Political Director

Posted under AZ School Works Information, PAC News

Hi, my name is Alicia Cybulski.  I am very excited to work with our endorsed school board candidates. 

I have always been interested in education.  Having grown up in Mesa, I had the amazing opportunity to attend fantastic public schools with amazing teachers.  I graduated from the University of Arizona and during that time, I wondered why my experience could be so different than other students who came from different schools.  This led me to seek out Teach For America, where I became a 2005 corps member.

As a member of Teach For America, I taught 4th grade at Cheatham Elementary School in the Laveen Elementary School District for the past three years.  Working with my students and families gave me so much hope as to what our students are capable of.  I also discovered many of the systemic problems in education and how they make teacher and student achievement so difficult to attain.  We must have high expectations for students, families, teachers, and administration.  We must have excellent leaders on our school boards who will make the right decisions for our students.  Read the rest of this entry »

Jul
22

AZSW Endorses Jewett for Creighton Elementary School District

Posted under Candidates

I am Matt Jewett, and I am running for the Creighton Elementary School District Governing Board in East Central Phoenix to bring a progressive voice that understands our diverse community. We all believe in equal opportunity, and our schools must work to ensure that all children are prepared to be good citizens and compete in the 21st century economy.

As a researcher for Children’s Action Alliance, I understand the importance of involving families and the community in educating our children. In our district, where so many students come from families whose primary language is not English, I will break down barriers and involve families as partners in their children’s education. Being bilingual myself, I understand that children learn English best when the entire family learns together. Read the rest of this entry »

Jul
18

CTA President on Redistricting

Posted under Schools, Teachers

Jason Williams speaks at the CTA retreat and discusses the redistricting issue with Ed Bufford, the President of CTA.

Jul
17

Phoenix High School Teacher on the “Dream Act”

Posted under AZ School Works Information

Jason Williams had a moment to chat with Will Reimers, a Trevor Browne High School teacher, on the issue of the “Dream Act” during CTA’s annual retreat.

Jul
15

AZSW Endorses Barajas for Sunnyside Unified

Posted under Candidates

My name is Magdalena Barajas from Tucson, Arizona. I am running for the Sunnyside Unified School District Governing Board. I have been serving on the Board since late January 2007, when I was selected by a community committee to fill a vacancy.

SUSD serves over 18,000 students in a 93 square mile area. Approximately 95 percent of our students identify as minorities (nearly 90 percent Hispanic), and over 80 percent of our students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Our graduation rate is an embarrassing 63 percent.

I grew up in Sunnyside, and I am a product of Sunnyside schools. After graduating from Sunnyside High School in 2001, I saw that very few of my classmates moved on to college and even fewer completed a degree.

A low high school graduation rate and an even lower post-secondary completion rate are indicative of where our community stands on the economic scale. Our neighborhoods are poor, and along with that challenge, come even more challenges: apathy, crime, and drug and alcohol addiction. Ultimately, these challenges lead to a poor economic outlook. Public education is the key to improving our community’s economic vitality, and, therefore, our quality of life. Read the rest of this entry »

Jul
09

AZSW Endorses Connell for Tempe Elementary

Posted under AZ School Works Information, Candidates

My name is Sherri Connell and I am running for the Tempe Elementary School District Governing Board. I am a mother of two boys, and in the fall my oldest son will be starting the third grade. I am just like you. I work full time and look forward to the end of the day when I can sit at the dinner table with my family and hear about their day. When my son was in kindergarten, it occurred to me that the quality of public education has fallen by the wayside. He focused more on memorization instead of the fundamental concepts behind the reading and writing.

That is why I am running.

It is important for me as a parent and professional in workforce and economic development to be able to improve the quality of education our children are entitled to. I am against school district unification. I believe in local control, and when elected my vote will represent the community as a whole. We are all accountable.

There are three seats up for re-election and I cannot do this alone. When the incumbent files a $500 exemption statement with no intention to raise or expend $500 on a campaign, the message is clear–that seat is assumed. We cannot assume anything with this campaign and with a donation of $25 or more, we can send a message back. We are serious about change and are prepared to fight for our right to quality public education.

Send donations to:
Make checks payable to The Connell Campaign
4517 S. Oak Street, Tempe, AZ 85282