Member Spotlight

The Utah Education Association (UEA) has been instrumental in demystifying the legislative process for me, fostering an environment where even those who may feel apprehensive can actively contribute to shaping policies that impact our schools and students.

Being affiliated with a political party doesn't mean that lawmakers—or you, for that matter—are either heroes or adversaries. Serving as a policy ambassador helped me dismantle the stereotypes I had formed about lawmakers.

Engaging with local legislators is not merely a civic duty; it is an opportunity to ensure our voices are acknowledged, our concerns are addressed, and our democracy flourishes. Let's actively connect with those shaping Utah's future, fostering a more informed, inclusive, and responsive political landscape in our state.

Concentrating our efforts on advocating for our needs and sharing our experiences, we can influence the legislative process and bring about the changes necessary to improve education.

"While Utah may not have a reputation as a pro-union state, there is a historical background in this regard. We need a voice and empower educators to negotiate fair compensation and benefits such as healthcare, pensions, paid leave, and better working and learning environments."

Legislators need education on classrooms and teachers' wants and needs. Teachers need education on educational politics, how to support politics, and how not to be overwhelmed.

The only way we will fix these problems is not by coming up with policies based on ideological assumptions or what other states are doing; it will be when the state legislature takes teachers seriously and turns to us to help solve these problems.

"For many years, I let others advocate in my place because I was emotionally exhausted but also because I was intimidated. I lacked the confidence to speak on behalf of my students and even myself. As it did for many others, experiencing the school closures during 2020 shifted my professional focus. It was time to step up."

A dedicated UEA Policy Ambassador leverages personal experience and family legacy to advocate for and navigate educational policies, aiming to shape a safer and more supportive learning environment for students and educators.

"We cannot pretend that a command of reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic is sufficient; we have a professional responsibility to be aware of and engaged in decisions made on our behalf."