CEA is currently holding an election for the AEA Delegate Assembly and the NEA Representative Assembly. CEA has been allotted 29 delegates for the AEA DA, which will be held in Phoenix on May 8-9, and 5 delegates for the NEA RA, which will be held in Denver, Colorado on July 3-7.
If you are eligible to vote in this election, you can access the ballot through Tuesday, March 3 at 5:00 pm by visiting our online voting page and logging in as follows:
Username: first initial plus your full last name, including spaces or hyphens, but without commas or apostrophes (e.g., the username for Sarah Howard-Mason would be SHoward-Mason)
Password: last 4 digits of your social security number (as on file with AEA)
AEA Delegate Assembly Candidates
Steve Adams (Perry High School)
Allison Amparano (Jacobson Elementary School)
Aj Argueta (Chandler High School)
Amanda Austermann (Chandler High School)
Kylie Benedetti (Haley Elementary School)
Debra Jo Borden (Carlson Elementary School)
Benjamin Bozovich (Arizona College Prep – High School)
Krystle Crayton-Day (Sanborn Elementary School)
Garald Degrow (Basha High School)
Candace Fern (Hancock Elementary School)
Jennifer Holden (Sanborn Elementary School)
Jacob Kasselman (Frye Elementary School)
Angie Lockard (San Marcos Elementary School)
Diane Lundahl (Hamilton High School)
Carly Mahlmeister (Sanborn Elementary School)
Michael Oei (Hamilton High School)
Jennifer Pawlik (CTA – Liberty Campus)
Ashly Raymond (Sanborn Elementary School)
Shaunna Risinger (Frye Elementary School)
Erica Rutledge (Frye Elementary School)
Miranda Vega (Arizona College Prep – High School)
NEA Representative Assembly Candidates
Steve Adams (Perry High School)
Allison Amparano (Jacobson Elementary School)
Benjamin Bozovich (Arizona College Prep – High School)
Krystle Crayton-Day (Sanborn Elementary School)
Garald Degrow (Basha High School)
Jacob Kasselman (Frye Elementary School)
Carly Mahlmeister (Sanborn Elementary School)
Laurel Miller (District Office)
Michael Oei (Hamilton High School)
Erica Rutledge (Frye Elementary School)
Steve Adams
Perry High School
No candidate statement submitted
Allison Amparano
Jacobson Elementary School
No candidate statement submitted
Aj Argueta
Chandler High School
No candidate statement submitted
Amanda Austermann
Chandler High School
As an English and Student Council teacher at Chandler High, I am honored to accept the nomination to serve as a delegate for the AEA. While I am new to the Delegate Assembly, I am not new to the challenges and triumphs of our classrooms. Since 2011, I’ve seen firsthand that student success is highest when we have smaller class sizes, meaningful time to collaborate, and the professional autonomy to do the work we were trained to do.
I believe our association is strongest when it is student-centered and teacher driven. My goal as a delegate is to listen, learn, and ensure that the voices of Chandler educators, the ones doing the daily work with our students, are heard at the state level. I look forward to representing CEA with energy, empathy, and a focus on what truly matters: the wellbeing of our students and the respect for educators.
Kylie Benedetti
Haley Elementary School
As a dedicated educator within the Chandler Unified School District, Kylie Benedetti is a passionate advocate for the transformative power of public education. While her expertise lies in media literacy, her mission extends far beyond the library walls; she stands firmly for equity and inclusion for all, working tirelessly to ensure that every student, regardless of background, has the resources and support necessary to thrive. Known as an amazing collaborator, Kylie partners seamlessly with her colleagues to build a unified, supportive environment where innovative teaching and student advocacy go hand in hand. She is committed to fostering a district culture where every learner is seen, every voice is heard, and educational excellence is accessible to everyone.
Debra Jo Borden
Carlson Elementary School
No candidate statement submitted
Benjamin Bozovich
Arizona College Prep – High School
No candidate statement submitted
Krystle Crayton-Day
Sanborn Elementary School
I am honored to be considered to represent the Chandler Education Association at the AEA and NEA Assemblies. Currently in my second year teaching in Arizona and my first with CUSD, I bring a wealth of experience from Missouri, where I served as a representative for the SDNEA.
With 13 years in education – including 5.5 years as a paraprofessional and 7 years as a Special Education teacher – I have taught grades K–12 in self-contained, resource, and co-teaching settings. This broad perspective allows me to understand the unique needs of both support staff and certified educators. I am committed to using my previous union leadership experience to advocate for our profession, champion special education concerns, and ensure CUSD’s voice helps shape state and national policy. I would be privileged to earn your vote.
Garald Degrow
Basha High School
No candidate statement submitted
Candace Fern
Hancock Elementary School
No candidate statement submitted
Jennifer Holden
Sanborn Elementary School
No candidate statement submitted
Jacob Kasselman
Frye Elementary School
No candidate statement submitted
Angie Lockard
San Marcos Elementary School
No candidate statement submitted
Diane Lundahl
Hamilton High School
My name is Diane Lundahl and have been teaching at Hamilton High School in the World Language Department, since it opened in 1998. Teaching AP Spanish Language and Culture as well as AP Spanish Literature and Culture are my absolute joy. All three of my children graduated from Hamilton and I currently have a nephew attending in the district as well. Throughout the years I have taken much pride in being able to advocate for my students and my education peers and staff at the site, district, and state level. I have proudly served on the Executive Board of CEA as a Vice-President of Site Representatives and believe in using our voices to create the district and state we want to teach in. I currently facilitate Learn and Lead courses for the NEA and AEA.
Carly Mahlmeister
Sanborn Elementary School
No candidate statement submitted
Michael Oei
Hamilton High School
My name is Michael Oei—I am currently a teacher at Hamilton, and I am the sponsor for both the Esports Team and the Activism Club. I have been an AEA member since I started teaching six years ago, and I previously served as a site representative in the Paradise Valley district.
I am running to represent CEA because I believe that it is essential to have strong participation in and representation for our education association. Collective action and organization are the most important tools we have to fight for teacher working conditions, student learning conditions, and the public education system.
Thank you for your consideration!
Jennifer Pawlik
CTA – Liberty Campus
No candidate statement submitted
Ashly Raymond
Sanborn Elementary School
No candidate statement submitted
Shaunna Risinger
Frye Elementary School
As a proud member of our union, I am running for Delegate to ensure our local voice carries weight at the state level. I understand the daily challenges we face and am seeking your support to serve as a delegate so I can advocate for policies that prioritize educators and students. I ask for your vote so I can stand up for the profession we love and the colleagues I am proud to work alongside every day. My goal is to ensure that the resolutions passed at the Delegate Assembly reflect the actual needs of Arizona teachers. Let’s work together to protect the future of public education.
Erica Rutledge
Frye Elementary School
No candidate statement submitted
Miranda Vega
Arizona College Prep – High School
My name is Miranda Vega, and I am a teacher/Speech and Debate coach at ACPHS. Union blood runs deep in my family, as my grandfather was heavily involved in his union, and took part of the 1983 Copper Miners’ Strike against the Phelps Dodge Corporation in Morenci, AZ. I’d love the opportunity to get to carry on the Union legacy in my family and become more involved in the Union to help serve our community.
Steve Adams
Perry High School
No candidate statement submitted
Allison Amparano
Jacobson Elementary School
No candidate statement submitted
Benjamin Bozovich
Arizona College Prep – High School
No candidate statement submitted
Krystle Crayton-Day
Sanborn Elementary School
I am honored to be considered to represent the Chandler Education Association at the AEA and NEA Assemblies. Currently in my second year teaching in Arizona and my first with CUSD, I bring a wealth of experience from Missouri, where I served as a representative for the SDNEA.
With 13 years in education – including 5.5 years as a paraprofessional and 7 years as a Special Education teacher – I have taught grades K–12 in self-contained, resource, and co-teaching settings. This broad perspective allows me to understand the unique needs of both support staff and certified educators. I am committed to using my previous union leadership experience to advocate for our profession, champion special education concerns, and ensure CUSD’s voice helps shape state and national policy. I would be privileged to earn your vote.
Garald Degrow
Basha High School
No candidate statement submitted
Jacob Kasselman
Frye Elementary School
No candidate statement submitted
Carly Mahlmeister
Sanborn Elementary School
No candidate statement submitted
Laurel Miller
District Office
I would be honored to participate in the full NEA RA experience in Denver this summer. Doing so would allow me to ensure the voices of our Chandler EA members who cannot attend are heard. Thank you for your consideration.
Michael Oei
Hamilton High School
My name is Michael Oei—I am currently a teacher at Hamilton, and I am the sponsor for both the Esports Team and the Activism Club. I have been an AEA member since I started teaching six years ago, and I previously served as a site representative in the Paradise Valley district.
I am running to represent CEA because I believe that it is essential to have strong participation in and representation for our education association. Collective action and organization are the most important tools we have to fight for teacher working conditions, student learning conditions, and the public education system.
Thank you for your consideration!
Erica Rutledge
Frye Elementary School
No candidate statement submitted