Use your vote to support teachers, schools
Everyone can name one. During their school years, everyone had at least one teacher who changed the course of their future. A teacher who inspired them to learn, grow and helped to set them on a path to success.
Right now, there are hundreds of teachers in Yuma County who are planning tomorrow’s lesson, sharing feedback on assignments, and considering each and every one of their students and what they need to succeed. Unfortunately, two out of five of those teachers will leave the profession in the first three years of their career. The low pay, lack of respect and shortage of professional support are all factors cited by educators who seek out another profession. That loss is felt by every student in the area, and by all of us, since our entire community is impacted by the quality of education.
The effectiveness of a teacher is one of the most important factors in student success. The teacher shortage that Arizona faces has created an environment in which thousands of classrooms are staffed by teachers who do not meet standard teaching requirements. And of the teaching positions open this year, one in four remain unfilled weeks into the school year. It’s a huge disservice to our students and we must do better.
That’s why the Yuma Education Advocacy Council has partnered with Expect More Arizona and Tucson Values Teachers to raise awareness of the challenges faced by teachers, while fostering public will to support our schools.
On Tuesday, Oct. 2, Yuma residents are invited to screen the new short documentary film, “Teaching in Arizona,” which follows three Arizona educators’ stories. To learn more and RSVP, visit bit.ly/ TeachYuma.
The film screening will be followed by a panel discussion with local experts, including a teacher, a district superintendent, leadership from the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corp, and the filmmaker. They’ll explore how Yuma residents can make a difference in local schools and why it matters.
Our entire community — business, education, local government, nonprofits, teachers, parents and students — has been working collaboratively to address this growing issue and provide what support we can to schools, teachers and families. Through the Drive for School Supplies effort, the community has donated thousands of backpacks filled with school supplies to support teachers and students across the county. We even try to provide teachers with supplemental income and professional development opportunities through the Summer Works in Yuma program. These are all great examples of our community coming together to implement solutions to a growing problem.
But we know that we can’t do it alone. We need our entire state to come together to find solutions and take action in support of education. And with the 2018 general election only one month away, it’s the perfect time to make education a priority. For instance, did you know that the state Legislature (House and Senate) determines the amount of funding that schools receive? And how that money is spent is determined by the local school board? Many of our elected officials influence our schools, but it can be hard to see how. For a closer look, visit ExpectMoreArizona.org/vote, which features a video outlining the varied ways your vote impacts education.
Ensuring that Yuma students have access to the best education possible isn’t just necessary for their own future, it’s critical to us all. After all, how well our schools are doing is directly related to our economic strength. Communities with residents who have higher levels of education boast lower crime rates, fewer individuals relying on government assistance and more.
Putting education first will ensure a better future for us all. Before you cast a ballot, get to know the candidates and find out where they stand on important education issues.
The Yuma Education Advocacy Council is a local collaboration between community leaders and Expect More Arizona to advance a shared vision for education in Yuma and the state. We all believe that every child deserves an excellent education — every step of the way. Together, we will elevate priority education issues to support educators, schools and students in our community and beyond. Find the Council on Facebook at www.facebook.com/YEACAZ/.