By Jamar Younger
As the fastest growing sector in public education, charter schools are meeting the needs of an increasing number of Arizona students and families.
With this growing presence, state lawmakers have taken an increased interest in hearing stories from charter teachers who are passionate about their work in the classroom. Dozens of charter teachers have shared their stories with legislators at the Capitol in recent years.
Arizona Charter Teacher of the Year runner-up Ashley Sweigert kicked off the 2018 legislative session on Jan. 22 describing her reason for teaching and experience at Imagine Schools to the House Education Committee.
“For me, it’s that moment when you’re with your students and they are learning something new. That moment when they are struggling with a problem, but work together as a class to figure it out. You’ll see students jump up, start collaborating with one and other, using phrases such as ‘well I respectfully disagree with you because’ or ‘I respectfully agree with you because.'”
Sweigert wrote a blog based on her speech, which you can read here. You can watch the speech here.
Christie Megura of NFL Yet College Prep Academy emphasized the importance of building relationships with her students during her presentation to the House Education Committee on Feb. 5. She told the story of Miriam, a student who is set to graduate this year after nearly dropping out in seventh grade.
Megura was able to forge a relationship with Miriam by giving the student rides to school each morning. You can read more about their relationship here and watch Megura’s speech here.
2017 Charter Teacher of the Year Bonnie Weppner spoke to the House Education Committee on March 5.
Weppner began her career 44 years ago, teaching kindergarten to recent immigrant students, including the children of migrant farm workers, who had previously not been allowed to attend public schools in Texas.
She told the Committee that her career has come full-circle as she is now teaching kindergarten to English Language Learner students of immigrant families at Pioneer Preparatory School: A Challenge Foundation Academy in Phoenix.
Read her story here and watch the presentation here.
Later in the week, Julia Meyerson, founder and executive director of Vista College Prep, gave a speech to the Senate Education Committee describing the process she encountered to open her school and the efforts of her staff to make sure the school is accessible to all. Click here to watch her speech.
Most recently, Julie Wesley described the back-to-basics approach of Legacy Traditional School Peoria to the House Education Committee during her speech on March 19. Wesley teaches second grade at the school.
She told the Committee that teaching provides satisfaction, fulfillment and an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of her students, she said.
You can watch the video of her speech here.
Check out this gallery of our past speakers:
