ARSA REPORTSOfficial Publication of the Arizona Rural Schools Association

in this issue...

An Arizona Reality: A Race to the BottomBy Bill Blong

Arizona will be far from becoming a leader in economics if our future workforce slips through the cracks in the state’s education system. Standardized testing has gone far to raise the bar on literacy and achievement, but there has to be a fundamental rethinking of education in the state. This is a crucial time and education should not be the first place considered to balance the state budget. Isn’t it time to stop all the lawsuits and do something about the sad state of affairs in education in this state?The publication 24/7 Wall Street recently released a report titled, “States With The Best And Worst Schools”. Arizona ranked near the bottom spending only $8,101 per pupil, the second lowest average expenditure nationwide. ” Arizona allocates relatively little tax revenue to education. The state spent just 2.5% of state GDP on education in 2012, nearly the lowest proportion of any state”. The report uses 2012 data since it is the latest national data available.The top priority for Gov. Doug Ducey is recommending spending a $100 million on more prison beds despite decline in inmates, and cutting millions from the K-12 budget. He also mandated a 5% reduction in non-classroom spending (plant operations, administration, student and instructional support, etc.), even though Arizona is last in the country in administrative spending. Most districts have been picked to the bone, yet the state continues to avoid adhering to the Supreme Court Decision to pay inflationary monies owed by the state to the school districts over the past 4 years. The Legislature’s refusal to abide by Law passed in FY 2000 has caused irreparable damage to all of Arizona Schools and especially in our rural communities. Additionally, schools argue that the state has failed to provide the funding needed to maintain facilities at the minimum standards. In 1998, the Students FIRST Lawsuit was lost by the state and the Legislature was compelled to establish minimum standards and provided funding to meet them. Since then, the Legislature has reduced or repealed provisions which would have provided ample funding to districts for repairs. Tim Hogan and the ACLPI again, plan to file a funding lawsuit against Arizona on behalf of a number of school districts and taxpayers. This year promises to be a very chaotic and confrontational. Somehow the importance of children got lost in the equation for funding education. The state has gone back on their word to the Supreme Court to provide adequate funding to schools. All students should be entitled to an equitable education and not just districts that have a sufficient property tax base to pass a bond. These cuts in education will only increase the disparity more so, between the haves and have-nots, and our children will pay the price. Our system begs for reform but no positive efforts are being made to resolve the problem. Carolyn Warner, former Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction (1974-1986) is quoted to say, “Legislators, both federal and state, think only of the present and their re-election. That is as far into the future that they can see. The unwillingness of legislators to invest in education has created a pay now or pay later situation”, she stated. “Will they pay now and invest in education for all children, or pay later for welfare, incarceration and under-employed?”

Page 1 • Letter from the

Executive Director

Page 3 • Teacher of the Year

Margie Looney article

“To Teach Is To Touch

A Life Forever”

Page 5 • ARSA Timelines

• Looking for

Teachers?

Page 7 • ARSA Executive

Board

Page 9 • Ambassador for

Excellence: Margie

Looney

Page 11 • Teacher of the Year

Nomination Form

Page 12 • Build Leadership in

Your Schools Using

Teacher Recognition

Winter 2015

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To Teach Is To Touch a Life Forever by Margie Looney: 2014 Arizona Rural Teacher of the Year5

As a 7th grade violist I was placed in the lower-level orchestra of my junior high. After the first week of rehearsals, my orchestra director, Mrs. Todd, changed my schedule so I could be in the most advanced 8th grade orchestra, an honor very few 7th graders received at the time. Mrs. Todd later told me that she saw my potential, believed in me, and although I didn’t currently have the skills to “hang” with the 8th graders, she knew I would rise to the occasion. I did. After reaching success with the Texas All-Region and All-Area Orchestras a few years later, Mrs. Todd was the voice that suggested I start teaching private lessons. At first I questioned my abilities, but heard the same loving voice resounding from my 7th

grade year, “I know you can do it.” I have successfully embarked on a path of teaching today because of the confidence that Mrs. Todd instilled within me at a young age.

Although these experiences transpired many years ago, I share them because they illustrate my own philosophy of teaching. When students enter my orchestra room, they know that I believe in them. Many of my Wilcox musicians come from tumultuous home situations. They know they can count on me being the positive voice in their life, urging them to see and reach their potential. My students know they will receive the tools necessary to achieve the high standards of success that I require. They understand that when difficult music is placed before them, each section will be examined and carefully dissected so every note will be mastered with correct pitch, rhythm, and musicality. I use creative teaching methods like shadow-bowing so students practice their part silently before they are vulnerable with the aural and outward expression of themselves in front of their peers. I utilize student leaders to warm up the orchestra and conduct sectionals. Students are provided with vast performing opportunities including concerts for elementary students, the Wilcox community, and neighboring areas. These experiences empower my students with real confidence – a magnet that makes them eager to be one of the school’s orchestra students.Student engagement is a priority in my teaching. To perfect our art, the orchestra will repeatedly practice small sections

of our complex music. I enjoy finding creative ways to keep my learners focused in class. I am amazed at how using something simple like a dice will keep them excited. Students are amazed at the depth of sound they can get from their instrument when they remember the memorable game they played numerous weeks earlier. Keeping students engaged makes learning music fun. These positive experiences are the impetus for my students to continue to be orchestral members and advocates for the art of music. More enduring than a student’s sojourn in my class is the awareness that they are loved by their orchestra director. They recognize this because they are treated with respect and kindness. My students understand that I have complete acceptance for who they are and where they are in their educational journey. Recently, when explaining to my students that I didn’t have any blood-related family in Wilcox, several students exclaimed with a puzzled look, “We’re your family! What do you mean you don’t have family here? You love us!” Although I have yet to fill the shoes of my 7th grade orchestra teacher, Mrs. Todd, I fervently try to instill in my students the confidence and understanding of potential that permeated my educational experiences. After teaching for several years in and outside of the public schools, I realize the truth to the quote, “To teach is to touch a life forever.” Ultimately I teach because I desire to touch a life, as Mrs. Todd did mine.

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ARSA TIMELINESWe moved some of the due dates and would like to remind everyone to keep the new due dates in mind. The nomination and proposal forms are currently available on our website at: azruralschools.org.

Teacher of the Year Nominations due May 15, 2015Hall of Fame Nominations due May 15, 2015Presentation Proposals due May 15, 2015

• Looking for Teachers? •The Resume System is a service to our members looking to fill positions for the 2015-2016 School Year. We purge old resumes from the Resume System on our website each year in February so you have the most recent candidates to choose from.

This year we are going to TARIAT at NAU in March, as well as two job fairs in Utah to meet with prospective teachers and to invite them to post their resumes. We also solicit through postings at universities, job fairs, and web resources around the country.

The activation code changes each year in order to keep our Resume System secure for the candidates and our ARSA members. Members are invited to set up a new account for 2015 in order to access the current applicants. Feel free to call contact us should you have any further questions.

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President Karl Uterhardtt Tombstone Unified District

President-ElectWes Brownfield Chino Valley Unified District

Secretary Kristin Turner Paloma School District

Treasurer John Warren Topock School District

Past-President Kit Wood Mobile School District

County Superintendent Representative Trudy Berry Cochise County School Superintendent

Higher Education Representative Patty Horn Northern Arizona University

Business Advisor Tim O’Malley The O’Malley Group

Regional Representatives NE - Lance Heister Winslow Unified District NW - Vacant SE - Vacant

SW - Andy Smith Antelope Union HSD

Maricopa Region Robin Berry Retired Superintendent

Executive Director Bill Blong

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Congratulations to Ms. Looney, who was recognized this last month by the Arizona Education Foundation as one of four “Ambassadors for Excellence” to education for Arizona. The AEF Arizona Teacher of the Year program spotlights the contributions of outstanding public school teachers throughout the state. They serve for one year as an advocate for the teaching profession by making public appearances statewide. In addition, she will be presenting at the 14th annual There’s A Reason I’m a Teacher Conference, at NAU’s College of Education on March 5th. This conference provides a professional development opportunity for teacher candidates to interact with recognized outstanding teachers through keynote addresses and breakout sessions.

(Margie Looney is pictured here with Cochise County School Superintendent,

Trudy Berry, who is also on the ARSA Executive Board.)

Margie Looney:2014 Arizona RuralTeacher of the Year

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ARSA  TEACHER  OF  THE  YEAR  2015  

INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  NOMINATIONS    

The   undersigned   hereby   nominates   the   following   teacher,   who   has   made   significant   contributions   as   a  classroom  teacher,  as  a  candidate  for  the  Arizona  Rural  Schools  Association  TEACHER  OF  THE  YEAR.    TEACHER’S  NAME  ___________________________________________________    SCHOOL  ___________________________  DISTRICT  ________________________    COUNTY  ___________________________________________________________    Your  Nomination  Packet  must  include  ALL  of  the  following:    

• Your  letter  of  Nomination  describing:  o The  contributions  the  teacher  has  made  as  a  teacher  with  students  and  colleagues.  o The  impact  the  teacher  had  made  with  students,  parents,  and  the  Community.  o The  accomplishments  the  teacher  has  achieved  within  the  rural  school.  

 • The  completed  Nomination  Form  in  the  format  it  is  presented.    It  may  be  reproduced  on  a  computer;  

however  the  format  must  remain  the  same  including  the  number  of  spaces  designated  for  each  area.    • The  Signature  Page  (Only  one  signature  is  required.)  

 Do  Not  Substitute  This  Form  with  a  Resume  or  Vita  

 SIGNATURE  OF  NOMINATOR  ______________________________________________________  

 Telephone:  _____________________      e-­‐mail:___________________________________________________  

                                                                                                                                                       Please  limit  nominations  to  one  teacher  per  school.  Thank  you!  

   

The  entire  application  is  available  on  our  website.    Please  contact  us  for  more  information.        

Application  deadline  is  May  15,  2015.      

William  Blong,  Executive  Director,  PO  Box  3123,  Parker,  AZ  85344  Phone:  928.575.4501;  email:  azruralschools@yahoo.com;  (fax)  928.575.4502;  

www.azruralschools.org  

Arizona Rural Schools AssociationP.O. Box 3123Parker, AZ 85344

PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE

PAIDPHOENIX,AZ

PERMIT NO.750

The Arizona Rural Schools Association provides an opportunity to recognize the hard working teachers that rural districts have working for them. The Teacher of the Year Program is open to member districts to nominate a teacher from their school for recognition. The paperwork is minimal, and the reward is huge. Teachers are some of the most humble individuals and way too often we forget to acknowledge their ability. Don’t let the urgent outweigh the important.

Teachers have been identified to be most influential element in a child’s learning. Behind the classroom doors they bring ideas alive and hone a desire and hunger for learning. Our rural schools are filled with the best. They are professional, proficient, flexible, innovative, insightful, and consistently go beyond the call of duty.

Please take a moment to nominate that teacher for the Arizona Rural School Association’s Teacher of the Year Award. All applications are reviewed and a teacher will be recognized from every county in the state. One will be picked as the Arizona Teacher of the Year and represent us at the NREA National Convention. It can be a life changing experience.

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