Election – 2019 DA and RA

Shara Billings
Perry High School

My name is Shara Billings, the Special Education Department Chair, at Perry High School and I would like to be your representative at the AEA Delegate Assembly this year. I have attended the Delegate Assembly for many years and I feel it is a contribution to our team and I believe by representing CEA and bringing back the information to our members is educational and beneficial. Thank you for this opportunity.

Jennifer Chastain
Andersen Elementary School

I am honored to be representing CEA at the AEA Delegate Assembly! I am currently in my fifteenth year of teaching and have been in CUSD for the last three years. I teach K-5 general music at Andersen Elementary and am also the AR for Andersen.

Kim Christ
Jacobson Elementary School

I would like to be a delegate at the AEA Delegate Assembly this year to continue representing Chander as I have for over 25 years. Thank you for your vote.

Garald DeGrow
Perry High School

I’ve been a member of the CEA and a site representative at Perry High since I began teaching. I look forward to the opportunity to represent all primary, middle, and secondary schools and associations within the district at the assembly. Your consideration and vote is much appreciated. Thank you!

Arnie Edwards
Bogle Junior High School

My name is Arnie Edwards. Though teaching is a second career for me, I have been in it fifteen years. I am honored at the chance to do my part to ensure teacher’s voices are heard.

I am very passionate about education. I understand the impacts teachers have on our society. I understand how much work past delegates have done to keep us moving forward and am ready to do my part to help this effort.

In me, you will have a devoted and committed advocate. I will do everything in my power to represent educators.

I have worked on curriculum writing, assessment development, PLC, and other teams at district and state levels. I am comfortable working on teams toward common goals.

I am always looking to the future of education. Never one to stand on laurels, I am committed to continued improvement. If elected, I will be committed to finding new and innovated ways to support growth in education.

Kristin Hagen
Hancock Elementary School

I have been a member of CEA for over 10 years. My goal in attending the AEA Delegate Assembly is to gain knowledge and have a better understanding of the decisions that are being made at the state level. I will bring this knowledge back to CUSD and my site. I look forward to representing CEA at the Arizona Delegate Assembly.

Caroline Hall
Ryan Elementary School

My name is Caroline Hall, and I am a 6th-grade CATS teacher at Ryan Elementary. Like some of you, I am new to local politics and policymaking. I went through life voting for presidents, senators, and the occasional ballot initiative and showing up for jury summons when asked. Honestly, I felt like I was doing my civic duty and may have continued on that path without the wakeup call that Red for Ed provided. So here I am, motivated and ready to work toward positive changes for Arizona’s students and teachers.

Danielle Harris
Sanborn Elementary School

My name is Danielle Harris. I have been teaching for six years and have been passionate about education since I was a kid. In my time teaching, I have had experiences teaching in General Education classrooms, Gifted classrooms, and Special Education classrooms. Most recently, I have been working toward my Masters of Education in Educational Leadership through Northern Arizona University. I am currently the Special Education Department Chair on my campus and I am my elementary site’s representative for CEA. I am excited to attend the Delegate Assembly and have the opportunity to represent CEA while being a part of the decision making process for AEA.

Maria Hase
CTA – Liberty Campus

Representing CEA at the AEA Delegate Assembly (DA) in Scottsdale would be an honor. Collaborating with others who seek to improve the education of our state’s children, and advocating on behalf of educators and students would be amazing. I would be proud to represent our membership at the DA. Thank you for considering me for this role.

Leslie Ireland
Jacobson Elementary School

No candidate statement submitted.

Shannon Jacques
Payne Junior High School

I have been a CEA member for a number of years, and this is my second year being the site rep at Payne Junior High. I represented Chander Education at the DA last year and would love the opportunity to do so again this year.

Suzanne Kelley
Perry High School

I teach High School math, specifically Pre Calc and Math 4. This is my first year in Chandler, but I have been teaching for over 20 years. I have always been a member of AEA but have not been able to attend any conventions. I am curious to see what happens.

Veronica Lucero
CTA – Freedom Campus

I would like to represent CEA at the state level to see how AEA makes it’s decisions and to shape those decisions with my voice.

Elisa Magee
Instructional Resource Center

Elisa Magee is an Academic Coach at the Romero Instructional Resource Center. In her role as a coach, she supports STEM/Science, literacy, DIBELS Next, and professional development. During her tenure in CUSD, she has been a member of CEA because the organization supports teachers. She seeks your support and vote to serve as a first time attendee to the AEA Delegate Assembly.

Josh Martin
Willis Junior High School

I would like to thank you for considering me to represent CEA at our statewide Delegate Assembly. I have been to a few of these events and enjoy the comradery and connections made there. This assembly is amazing! We have the best speeches! The best delegates around the state! We also have the opportunity to vote on the direction of AEA! I hope you will vote to send me to this year’s DA. I also hope you will join us next year to see what the buzz is all about.

Veronica Morales
Andersen Junior High School

I teach Choir and Spanish at Andersen Junior High. This is my second year teaching in Arizona and about my tenth year of teaching experience. I am currently working on my ELL teacher certification. The first time I taught in the US, a few years ago, I faced a few situations were an advice of a member of the teachers association would have been very helpful. However, I had no one to go to or to ask, I felt helpless and always taught it was my fault. I was very frustrated and questioned myself about my career decision. Three years ago, I moved to Arizona and decided to give myself another chance. Maybe, here would be different, I told myself. Yes, it has been different. I have the support I need, my questions are answered, and I know where to go when I feel lost.

Because of my experience, I decided to become a part of the CEA. I want to advocate for new teachers. Especially the ones that like me come from other cultures and give their best every day in the classroom, keeping in mind that here, is different. Different, for good or bad, but they will always need someone who understands and relate to their experience. Someone they can count on and rely when needed. I want to be that person, and it order to help them I need to be more involved and get a better understanding of the association and its purpose.

Katie Nash
Chandler High School

I am honored to be chosen to represent CEA at the delegate assembly. I moved to Arizona about 5 years ago from upstate NY. During this time, I have watched the state of education rapidly decline as result of the budget cuts in 2008. I have seen our class sizes grow, positions get cut, teachers leave in droves, and staff struggle to support their families. The difference between education (including certified and classified staff pay) in New York and Arizona is startling! In March 2018, when I saw the Arizona Educators United group form, I knew I had to be a part of it. I volunteered to be the Chandler High liaison as well as a district liaison. As part of the #RedforEd movement, I was able to meet with Governor Ducey to talk about his 20 x 2020 plan. As we all know, it fell short on many of our demands.

Along with many of you, I spent the summer collecting signatures against Prop 305. In the fall, we canvassed for local and state wide pro-education candidates. I was elated when Kathy Hoffman was elected. Because of my ongoing involvement, I am now in a leadership role on with AEU as well as one of Chandler High’s CEA ARs. We know this fight isn’t over. If elected to the delegate assembly, I will propose a plan to cut corporate tax breaks and stop corporate tax loop holes. It’s time the working class stops bearing the burden of taxes. Corporations need to pay their fair share. Education is vital to our economy and our future.

Peg Newendyke
Santan Junior High School

Having been a longtime member of CEA, I am excited to have become more involved in the association in recent years. I am currently the Treasurer of CEA, and am serving on the Super Q negotiating team. I have attended the AEA Day at the Capitol for the past few years to meet with our state representatives, and I am doing so again this year. I have also participated in the March to Save Our Schools, attended AEA Treasurer training, and worked with CEA and Valley Interfaith Project to help coordinate many candidate forums leading up to the 2018 election (I also knocked on many doors in the fall to help elect #REDforED candidates).

Having attended the Delegate Assembly for the past few years, I am familiar with the process and responsibilities required, and I would love to have the chance to represent Chandler again. I look forward to increasing my advocacy for teachers.

Karla Palafox
Ryan Elementary School

I have been teaching for 22 years, and I have been a CUSD teacher for 12 of those years. I teach 6th grade at Ryan Elementary and currently serve as a site representative. As site representative, I have worked to help other teachers learn and understand the importance of getting involved with policies and decisions involving our profession. I had an opportunity to serve on the Super Q Committee for three years, and I was proud to volunteer and participate in canvassing activities during the last election. Teachers, parents, and many community members worked together to help elect pro-public education candidates. Our schools have been underfunded for years, but I strongly believe if we work together to elevate and advocate for our profession, our students are the ones who ultimately benefit. It would be an honor to represent CEA at the AEA Delegate Assembly and NEA Representative Assembly in order to continue our work as a collective to bring much needed change to Arizona’s public schools. I hope to count on your support.

Kelly Powers
Casteel High School

Kelly Powers has had the honor of being the site rep for Casteel High School since it’s opening. She is looking forward to attending the conference as a ways to increase her ability to advocate for our members.

Jenny Ryskamp
Weinberg Elementary School

No candidate statement submitted.

Stacey Silbert
Tarwater Elementary School

Over my last 24 years in public education within the state of Arizona, I have been an AEA member, but never an AR. Not sure how that happened, but I’m here now, feeling even more committed to finding my voice as a representative for the people I admire most, educators. We are a passionate lot who would do almost anything for our students, so I am excited about an opportunity to become more invested in the process, people, and possibilities within CEA. As an elected delegate for the 2019 Assembly, I will have the chance to network with other CEA delegates and connect with our hard-working colleagues from across the state. What an amazing chance to really see and hear what is going on … and make a difference!

Pamela Simmons
Basha High School

No candidate statement submitted.

Christopher Soto
Basha Elementary School

Thank you for this wonderful nomination to be chosen to go and represent our collogues in education. I have been teaching for almost 12 years and been in Chandler Unified for 5 years. This profession is my passion because I love to teach and guide young minds. I’m also excited to represent our collogues who have the same passion as me. Again, I graciously accept this nomination.

Sharon Tuttle
San Marcos Elementary School

My name is Sharon Tuttle, CEA Corresponding Secretary, 4th grade teacher and site liaison at San Marcos Elementary. Throughout my journey, I have earned a Bachelors in Business Accounting, Masters in Management, and Masters in Educational Leadership. Aside from my obvious obsession with furthering my own education, I am deeply passionate about supporting educators to achieve their aspirations and goals. I want educators and students to know they have a champion who will demand the tools they need from the district and the government in order to reach their goals. I want to help build a community that serves TOGETHER for the greater good and commits to pursue a better standard of education for our children.

Tricia Wittbrodt
Jacobson Elementary School

I have been teaching k-6 general music in Chandler for 5 years. I have been a member of the Arizona Education Association all 5 years. I was able to attend the Delegate Assembly last year and really enjoyed it. I would love the opportunity to attend again and learn all that AEA is doing.

Michelle Capriotti
Casteel High School

Currently, I serve as the Vice-President of Committees for CEA and I am part of the 2019 AEA Leaders Academy. I have worked with AEA, CEA, AEU, and SOS as an advocate for both teachers and students to secure stronger educational funding and improved the classroom settings. I would love the opportunity to represent Arizona at the NEA convention so I can be a strong voice for our profession and our state. We have unique needs as Arizona educators, and I believe my knowledge of educational policy will be an asset to the group of representatives we send to Houston this year. It is a critical time in AZ education. My passion and dedication to the issues impacting Arizona education are seen in my daily actions. This is our time. I would be proud to represent you at the 2019 NEA Convention.

Shaun Creighton
District Office

I would very much like to serve as a CEA delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly because I am committed to and believe in our local, state, and national associations. I have served on the CEA Executive Board for the past 8 years, initially as Treasurer until being elected Recording Secretary in 2015. In addition to my duties as Recording Secretary, I also manage the CEA website and social media accounts. I have attended several AEA Days at the Capitol and have worked hard to help pass our CUSD bonds and overrides through neighborhood walks, volunteering at local events, and working with partner groups such as AZ Schools Now and Valley Interfaith Project. This year, I worked hard to collect signatures for Invest in Ed and knocked on doors to help elect pro-public education candidates. I have attended several AEA Delegate Assemblies, and was elected to the AEA Board of Representatives in 2018. I also serve as the chairperson of the AEA Elections Committee.

I have attended several NEA Representative Assemblies, and have always taken that responsibility seriously by being present and engaged during all RA sessions. At last year’s RA, at the request of AEA President Joe Thomas, I served on the Election Committee for the Arizona delegation. If elected to attend the 2019 RA, I will continue to represent CEA and Arizona with pride and diligence. I humbly ask for your support.

Caroline Hall
Ryan Elementary School

My name is Caroline Hall, and I am a 6th-grade CATS teacher at Ryan Elementary. Like some of you, I am new to local politics and policymaking. I went through life voting for presidents, senators, and the occasional ballot initiative and showing up for jury summons when asked. Honestly, I felt like I was doing my civic duty and may have continued on that path without the wakeup call that Red for Ed provided. So here I am, motivated and ready to work toward positive changes for Arizona’s students and teachers.

Maria Hase
CTA – Liberty Campus

Representing CEA at the NEA Representative Assembly (RA) in Houston would be an incredible honor. Collaborating with others who seek to improve the education of our nation’s children, and advocating on behalf of educators and students would be amazing. I would be proud to represent our membership at the RA. Thank you for considering me for this role.

Josh Martin
Willis Junior High School

I would be proud to represent the CEA again at the RA in Houston. I truly enjoy the dialogue and getting the chance to represent our interests on a national level. In the couple of times I have been able to attend the RA, I have learned much about budgeting, reasons for many hard decisions we have to make nationally, and have had the opportunity to talk with other leaders in our state. This dialogue has enabled me to better prepare myself for leadership opportunities in the CEA. This year, I will be able to ask questions as they pertain to my current leadership position. I hope you will send me to the RA and allow me to represent the interests of the CEA and continue to learn to become a better leader. Thank you.

Katie Nash
Chandler High School

I am honored to be chosen to represent CEA at the NEA representative assembly. I moved to Arizona about 5 years ago from upstate NY. During this time, I have watched the state of education rapidly decline as result of the budget cuts in 2008. I have seen our class sizes grow, positions get cut, teachers leave in droves, and staff struggle to support their families. The difference between education (including certified and classified staff pay) in New York and Arizona is startling! In March 2018, when I saw the Arizona Educators United group form, I knew I had to be a part of it. I volunteered to be the Chandler High liaison as well as a district liaison. As part of the #RedforEd movement, I was able to meet with Governor Ducey to talk about his 20 x 2020 plan. As we all know, it fell short on many of our demands.

Along with many of you, I spent the summer collecting signatures against Prop 305. In the fall, we canvassed for local and state wide pro-education candidates. I was elated when Kathy Hoffman was elected. Because of my ongoing involvement, I am now in a leadership role on with AEU as well as one of Chandler High’s CEA ARs. We know this fight isn’t over. If elected to the NEA representative assembly, I will propose a plan to cut corporate tax breaks and stop corporate tax loop holes. It’s time the working class stops bearing the burden of taxes. Corporations need to pay their fair share. Education is vital to our economy and our future.

Karla Palafox
Ryan Elementary School

I have been teaching for 22 years, and I have been a CUSD teacher for 12 of those years. I teach 6th grade at Ryan Elementary and currently serve as a site representative. As site representative, I have worked to help other teachers learn and understand the importance of getting involved with policies and decisions involving our profession. I had an opportunity to serve on the Super Q Committee for three years, and I was proud to volunteer and participate in canvassing activities during the last election. Teachers, parents, and many community members worked together to help elect pro-public education candidates. Our schools have been underfunded for years, but I strongly believe if we work together to elevate and advocate for our profession, our students are the ones who ultimately benefit. It would be an honor to represent CEA at the AEA Delegate Assembly and NEA Representative Assembly in order to continue our work as a collective to bring much needed change to Arizona’s public schools. I hope to count on your support.

Sharon Tuttle
San Marcos Elementary School

My name is Sharon Tuttle, CEA Corresponding Secretary, 4th grade teacher and site liaison at San Marcos Elementary. Throughout my journey, I have earned a Bachelors in Business Accounting, Masters in Management, and Masters in Educational Leadership. Aside from my obvious obsession with furthering my own education, I am deeply passionate about supporting educators to achieve their aspirations and goals. I want educators and students to know they have a champion who will demand the tools they need from the district and the government in order to reach their goals. I want to help build a community that serves TOGETHER for the greater good and commits to pursue a better standard of education for our children.