Arkansas State Teachers Association Announces Advocacy Fellows for 2020 |
posted by: Tamia | October 15, 2020, 01:10 PM |
The Arkansas State Teachers Association (ASTA), a nonprofit and nonunion professional association serving thousands of Arkansas educators and school employees announces its 2020 cohort of Advocacy Fellows.
The ASTA Advocacy Fellowship Program was developed with the goal of elevating and empowering our state’s educators to influence policy through advocacy and education. The 2020 class of twenty advocacy fellows was selected from a statewide pool of distinguished applicants encompassing classroom educators, professors, and administrators serving students in traditional public schools, public charter schools, private schools, and universities.
The following educators will participate in a yearlong fellowship engaging in activities and actions throughout the 2020-2021 school year to advocate for policies and issues that directly impact their students and educational communities.
John Allison - Vilonia High School, Math Teacher
Stephenie Brozek-Dean - Cooper Elementary, Bentonville, Classroom Teacher, Team Lead
Melannie Duclan - Forrest City Junior High, Classroom Teacher
Felicia Goings - Batesville Junior High School, Classroom Teacher
Olivia Hansen - Forest Heights STEM Academy, 5th Grade Teacher
Kimberly Harlan - Cabot Middle School North, 6th Grade Math and Science Teacher
Teri Harrah - eStem Public Charter Schools, District Testing/Federal Programs Coordinator
Jeffrey Davidson - Forest Heights STEM Academy, 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher
Sam Kelley - Westside High School, Jonesboro, Social Studies Teacher and Department Chair
Nancy Lively - Rogers High School, Classroom Teacher
Rebecca McGee - Reed Elementary School, Dumas, 5th Math/Science Teacher
Kathleen Moe - Willowbrook Elementary, Bentonville, Art Educator
Tanner Oglesby - Bryant High School, Choral Director
Karon Parrish - Crossroads Learning Center, Rogers, School Counselor
La Warn Rodgers - North Little Rock High School, Dean of Students
Jessica Saum - Stagecoach Elementary School, Cabot, K-4 Special Education Teacher Cody Strahan - Ramay Junior High School, Fayetteville, Engineering/Robotics Teacher
Melissa Ward - Fox Meadow School of Creative Media, Nettleton, Literacy Resource Teacher
Brycial Williams - Wynne Primary School, First-Grade Educator
“This incredible group of professionals represents a diverse cross-section of today’s education professionals,” noted ASTA Executive Director, Dr. Michele Linch. “In the wake of the pandemic, one of the primary concerns we heard from ASTA members was that their input and voice was not sufficiently sought or valued as decisions that directly impacted their schools and students were made. We knew then that we had to formalize our member advocacy efforts. They have already begun the important work of researching, writing opinion pieces, and preparing for the upcoming 2021 legislative session.”
Modeled after ASTA’s national affiliate’s Association of American Educator’s (AAE) fellowship program, AAE Fellowship alumna and Little Rock School District teacher Lydia Dillon noted, “This fellowship is the most important and valuable program that AAE offers.” Our goal is for the ASTA fellowship program to become a vital asset to educators and policy makers as it elevates the educator’s voice in Arkansas.
The ASTA Advocacy Fellowship is available to ASTA professional members statewide. Application consideration for the next cohort will open in 2021. The Arkansas State Teachers Association is the state chapter of the Association of American Educators (AAE), the largest national, nonunion, professional educator organization, advancing the profession by offering a modern approach to educator empowerment and advocacy—promoting professionalism, collaboration, and excellence without a partisan agenda. ASTA-AAE is committed to a teaching profession that is student oriented, well respected, and personally fulfilling. AAE serves members in all fifty states and welcomes professionals from all education entities. Membership is $16.50 per month which includes $2 million professional liability insurance, employment rights coverage, professional resources, and many other benefits. Classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, student teachers, university professors, support staff, and supporters can learn more at astapro.org.
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