I come from a family of educators. My mother, great aunt, brother-in-law, several cousins, and my daughter are all public educators. I have been teaching for 20 years, and I love teaching!
Initially, my focus was solely on the needs of my students, but over the past seven years, I've found myself increasingly involved in broader educational matters, prompted by the increasing demands imposed by the USBE and the Legislative Assembly. This led me to deepen my understanding of the legislative process and eventually be selected as a UEA Policy Ambassador, a role that has expanded my professional horizons.
I attended Educator on the Hill on February 2, where I met with my state senator and representative. I had an informative discussion with Representative Ray Ward, who helped me understand one of the bills he was proposing, dealing with extreme behaviors in the classroom and the rights of students and teachers to be safe. He also listened to my concerns about other bills. I was very appreciative of his time.
Many bills are up for a vote in both the Senate and the House. Some bills are education-friendly, like HB 221, sponsored by Representative Karen Petersen, which provides grants for new teachers completing their student teaching. College education majors know they must complete six to nine weeks of student teaching in a classroom setting before they graduate. Many will either have to quit their job or work nights while student teaching full time at their assigned school, which can be very cost-prohibitive. HB 221 passed in the House today and will be sent to the Senate for their vote.
However, HB 285, sponsored by Representative Jordan Teuscher, is not education-friendly. Known as the Payroll Deduction Bill, it takes away the right of educators to choose how to manage their own paycheck. Why should anyone care if I choose to have my Association dues taken out of my paycheck? This bill has been called a “Union Buster” bill. Utah is a right-to-work state, meaning people must voluntarily join their labor organization. If you do not want to become a member, you are not forced to pay any dues, and a public employer does not have to recognize any association that their employees are members of. I will be following this bill closely.
In navigating the complexities of educational advocacy, I have found invaluable support from the Utah Education Association and my local affiliate. They advocate for me and my students, provide professional development for their members at no cost, and offer a community where I can find support and guidance. I have become a better educator because they influenced my career.
