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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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.
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 »
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
Although our children are our most precious resource, we have not treated them as such. We have failed them because we have a broken public education system. For too long, politicians have decided what is best for our schools and educators have failed to stand up to them. The tides are slowly changing but they are not changing fast enough. Our children are too often unprepared to enter the workforce, think critically, and lack 21st century skills.
I spent the last year and a half on the Creighton school board trying to do what I could for Creighton children. It was one of the most incredible times of my life. Those of us passionate about our children and their education know that changing public education for the better can feel like a daunting task. It is a daunting task; but, as I learned as a school board member, one person makes a big difference when they dedicate themselves to our children.
My farewell from the board and Arizona School Works is bittersweet because I want the best for our children and the job is not complete.
It is scary to think that my time of earth likely predates great changes in public education. The good news is I do know that I will see great changes in Creighton because I was of a handful who asked the tough questions, addressed controversial issues, and because I cared enough to put Creighton children first. I also know that I will see great changes in Arizona because candidates like me will be recruited, identified and supported by Arizona School Works.
I am pleased to pass the torch to my friend, Alicia Cybulski, for the position of Political Director. Alicia brings enthusiasm and dedication to Arizona School Works. As my former campaign manager and as a former fourth-grade classroom teacher, Alicia knows what kind of people our children need in the leadership of our public schools.
Most importantly, Alicia cares enough about our children to ensure that the right people run for the school board. I look forward to many more accomplishments from Arizona School Works.
Tiffany Troidl, former Political Director
AZ School Works
Dear Friends,
Hi, my name is Alicia Cybulski. I am very excited to work with our endorsed school board 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.
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.
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.
Although our children are our most precious resource, we have not treated them as such. We have failed them because we have a broken public education system. For too long, politicians have decided what is best for our schools and educators have failed to stand up to them. The tides are slowly changing but they are not changing fast enough. Our children are too often unprepared to enter the workforce, think critically, and lack 21st century skills.