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

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 »

AZSW Endorses Zaragoza for Creighton Elementary

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 »

AZSW Endorses Jewett for Creighton Elementary School District

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 »

AZSW Endorses Barajas for Sunnyside Unified

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 »

AZSW Endorses Connell for Tempe Elementary

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

Second AZ School Works Endorsement: Aaron Jahneke

I am running for the Washington School Board because I know the district well. I grew up attending Washington Elementary District #6 from 1982-1989. During that time I witnessed a lot of changes to the district. Demographics and socioeconomic circumstances have changed considerably. Moreover, English Language Learners (ELL) and special education student enrollment numbers have soared since the 1990s. This, coupled with decreased state funding as a result of the district no longer being in a “growth” area have led to unique challenges in the district.

Having said that, I believe every child CAN and SHOULD learn. I want to improve the culture of the Washington Elementary School District by increasing community outreach and promoting the many good things the district does on a daily basis to increase student learning. I will fight to improve the morale for both employees and students at the middle school sites to ensure that students are safer and happier to be at their schools. This can and will be done by empowering the parents, administrators, and educators to collaborate more effectively together in the decision-making process. Read the rest of this entry »

AZ School Works First School Board Candidate

Robin Stamp, Candidate for the Madison School District Governing Board.

I am running for the Madison District Governing board to be an advocate for teachers, to promote safer schools, to lead Madison to a 21st century curriculum, and to be a consistent fiscally responsible voice.

I am dedicated to safer schools for our children. In my position as an Outreach Coordinator for the Attorney General, I have extensive experience working with students, teachers, parents, and administrators on the issue of school safety. I continue this work in a voluntary capacity as a board member of Alertrecal.com, a school safety website founded by a Phoenix Police Department School Resource Officer. Read the rest of this entry »