Who should I vote for? Amphi Governing Board

If you live in the Amphitheater Unified School District, these are the people you will see on your general election ballot. They are seeking one of three volunteer positions.

Scott Baker, 54

Employer and position: Catalina Foothills School District, Physical Education Teacher

Education: Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education (University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse); Master's in Teacher Education and PhD in Teacher Education (University of Arizona)

Political experience: None

Top priority: Teacher retention

HIS TAKE ON ...

Testing: I feel that we have too much of an emphasis on testing and that the time that teachers need to spend in their classes actually testing students should be reduced, even if the state of Arizona requires testing as some type of an accountability measure.

Improving teacher retention: One thing I would do to improve teacher retention is to make sure that the maximum amount of money possible is going into teacher salaries. Other things that I would do to increase teacher retention is to work to create a culture of respect for teachers in the district.

Improving academic achievement:  The most important ways to affect academic achievement are through having quality teachers and having a quality curriculum. I’m very knowledgeable about curriculum and I think that I would have a very experienced eye towards curriculum that is being brought to the school board.

Vicki Cox Golder, 65

Employment and position: Self-employed, Real Estate Broker

Education: Dropped out of University of Arizona

Political experience: 27 years on the Golder Ranch Fire District board, nine years on the Amphitheater school board starting in 1987

Top priority: My top priority would be working with the Legislature and the governor to identify a permanent funding source for education.

HER TAKE ON ...

Testing: I know that teachers complain about testing but there has to be some testing in schools, because you have to know how you’re doing compared to other state districts. How would you know how you’re doing unless you’re testing? They perhaps over do it because teachers are spending an enormous amounts of time preparing for and administering tests.

Improving teacher retention: You need to have a good climate in the schools and of course you have to pay them a decent salary. It’s also appalling that first-year teachers make as much as they did 20 years ago. We have to make sure that teachers are paid decent salaries.

Improving academic achievement: Some of the things we’re already doing, such as Odyssey of the Mind and academic decathlons, help improve academic achievement. They are good for children and they are fun. We have to try to make education fun and enjoyable.

Julie Cozad, 66

Employment and position: Retired from teaching in the Marana Unified School District

Education: Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education (University of Arizona); Master's in Education Administration (Northern Arizona University)

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Political experience: Incumbent on the Amphitheater school board

Top priority: I'll make sure that we retain staff and meet the needs of our students.

HER TAKE ON ...

Testing: I don’t mind accountability. In fact, I think it’s crucial for everybody. One of my frustrations with AzMERIT is that it recently changed and the teachers don’t know if what they are teaching is what would be asked on the test. I’m OK with testing if it’s a reliable and valid test.

Improving teacher retention: For the teachers that we’ve got, we’ve got to hang on to them. I want to make sure they are heard and valued and we’re doing anything that we can do to support them. It comes down to hourly wage. I also like the idea of going in and listening to make sure people feel that I’m approachable and they can talk to me.

Improving academic achievement: I recently met with the director of Pima County libraries and found out that all the things that libraries do. Amphi does so much for kids but the library system does too. I think branching out with the community and seeing what’s available is going to be crucial because of limited budget.

Deanna Day, 70

Employer and position: Retired teacher of the Amphitheater School District

Education: Bachelor's degree in Education (University of Arizona); Master's of Education in Reading (University of Arizona)

Political experience: Incumbent on the Amphitheater school board

Top priority: My top priority is high quality education for all students of the Amphitheater district.

HER TAKE ON ...

Testing: There is way too much testing for students. And when you’re not testing, you’re preparing for testing. I’d have more curriculum that mirrors problem solving, science technology, engineering and math.

Improving teacher retention: Salaries are a huge issue at the moment. We need to get better salaries for teachers. But it’s not only salary. It’s also job satisfaction with teachers.

Improving academic achievement: We do a lot of things in academic achievement. Teachers are professionally trained. There are high levels of professional development that focus on how to get the most out of students. We know that parents choose schools based on academic achievement.

Mick Stewart, 54

Employer and position: Advanced Placement government teacher at Sunnyside High School

Education: Bachelor's degree in Education (Brigham Young University); Master's in Education Administration (Northern Arizona University)

Political experience: None

Top priority: I want to support teachers and I want to involve the community in making Amphi the number one destination of education.

HIS TAKE ON ...

Testing: As a public school teacher, I have seen the stress that over-testing can do to students. I think we over-test. But I see the value of assessing so that you can figure out what students need. I am concerned that the current format doesn’t do that well enough. I’m a proponent of giving more authority and more decision making to local schools and local teachers.

Improving teacher retention: Arizona is limited because the pay for teachers is low in comparison to surrounding states. What we can do is make teachers feel better about the job they are doing. What I want Amphi to do is to allow teachers to have more voice in decision making and a bigger part. When teachers are empowered, they are more effective in their jobs and they are happier.

Improving academic achievement: We need to find programs that promote high rigor and also provide enrichment for the students to make the connection to higher-level thinking. That is allowing teachers to find and implement programs that use inquiry model of teaching; allowing students to seek, learn and discover. With high expectations and great support, students will thrive.