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2020 UEA Policy Ambassador Messages

Nineteen teachers were selected as 2020 UEA Policy Ambassadors. These teachers received training from the UEA Legislative Team and agreed to participate in UEA Educator Day on the Hill, engage with their legislators and share their experiences with UEA members. (See more about the UEA Policy Ambassador program.)

 

The 19 educators selected as 2020 Policy Ambassadors engaged in a series of activities related to the 2020 legislative session. In addition to training at the Fall Retreat, Ambassadors spoke with their elected representative and senator, participated in UEA Educator Day on the Hill, attended legislative committee meetings, studied a policy issue of interest and wrote about their experience on UEA Under the Dome.

The 2020 UEA Policy Ambassadors

  • Lori Buhr – Tooele School District
  • Annette Croucher – Washington School District
  • Ashlyn Drew – Tooele School District
  • CJ Gebhardt – Granite School District
  • Carol Gregory – Nebo School District
  • Sarah Jones – Davis School District
  • Taylor Layton – Granite School District
  • Katharine McGinn– Park City School District
  • Courtney Miller – Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind
  • Beth Niederman – Granite School District
  • Alexis Redford – Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind
  • Lauren Rich – Davis School District
  • Jacob Rollins – Jordan School District
  • Megan Ruff – Jordan School District
  • Justin Shaw – Weber School District
  • Patricia Shay – Granite School District
  • Alexandra Smith – Weber School District
  • Hilary Ward – Salt Lake City School District
  • Angela Wickel – Duchesne School District

Articles Submitted

Below are articles submitted by 2020 UEA Policy Ambassadors about their experiences working with legislators and engaging in the political process, some for the first time. Articles will be added as they are submitted during the 2020 legislative session. Click title to view the article…

·        On the Bright Side of Politics – February 5, 2020
Submitted by UEA Policy Ambassador Taylor Layton, teacher at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in Granite School District

·        Show Up and Speak Out – February 11, 2020
Submitted by UEA Policy Ambassador Alexis Redford, USDB outreach teacher for the blind working in Canyons School District

·        Supporting Educators and Students: Increase Access to Critical Professionals – February 12, 2020
Submitted by UEA Policy Ambassador Lauren Rich, related services supervisor for Davis School District

·        A Tangible Difference – February 13, 2020
Submitted by UEA Policy Ambassador Alexandra Smith, Spanish and ELL teacher at Sand Ridge Junior High in Weber School District

·        Tax Reform Should Be Legislative Refocus – Students Educational Needs Should Be First – February 18, 2020
Submitted by UEA Policy Ambassador Annette Croucher, special education teacher at Fossil Ridge Intermediate School in Washington County School District

·        Blockages in Utah’s Teacher Pipeline: Increasing Teacher Pay is Essential – February 20, 2020
Submitted by UEA Policy Ambassador Sarah Jones, English and reading teacher at Centerville Junior High School in Davis School District

·        Change Starts with Us – February 24, 2020
Submitted by UEA Policy Ambassador C.J. Gebhardt, sixth-grade teacher at West Kearns Elementary School in Granite School District

·        We All Care but There Are a Few More Steps – February 26, 2020
Submitted by UEA Policy Ambassador Katharine McGinn, sixth-grade teacher at Ecker Hill Middle School in Park City School District

·        Standing in the Trenches While My Students Lose Ground – February 27, 2020
Submitted by UEA Policy Ambassador Patricia Shay, school counselor at West Lake STEM Junior High School in Granite School District

·        Your Voice, Their Story – March 2, 2020
Submitted by UEA Policy Ambassador Ashlyn Drew, special education teacher at Overlake Elementary School in Tooele County School District

·        Looking Forward and Backward – March 5, 2020
Submitted by UEA Policy Ambassador Lori Buhr, English learner specialist at Northlake Elementary School in Tooele County School District

·        The Power of Teamwork – March 11, 2020
Submitted by UEA Policy Ambassador Megan Ruff, special education teacher at Heartland Elementary School in Jordan School District

·        Let’s Get Politically Active – March 12, 2020
Submitted by UEA Policy Ambassador Angela Wickel, second-grade teacher at Duchesne Elementary School in Duchesne School District