“To the teachers and education support professionals of this state,” said Governor Hobbs. “I see you, I respect you, and I will always stand with you.”
Governor Hobbs has always been a champion of public school educators and students, which is why AEA union educators knocked on voters’ doors to get her elected this past November.
“For the first time in decades, educators know their voices are heard and have a seat at the table,” said AEA President Marisol Garcia. “Our educators and students need someone like Governor Hobbs who supports union values and will fight for our working families.”
Governor Hobbs introduced plans to create an Educator Retention Task Force to address the statewide educator retention crisis our state has faced for years.
“Governor Hobbs understands that given the historic cuts to public education over the past decade, keeping great educators in our state has been a long and difficult struggle,” said AEA President Garcia. “We need a wholistic approach that values educators and seeks to get to the root of what is causing some of our best educators to leave the profession. The creation of the educator retention task force means this Governor understands that government can, should and must do more to demonstrate their support and appreciation for all that our educators do every day in communities all across Arizona.”
Governor Hobbs’ speech touched on many of the priorities in AEA’s Legislative and Policy Agenda, including equitable school funding, adequate funding for school counselors and social workers, and respect for educators as professionals. We will learn more details about Governor Hobbs’ plans when she releases her budget on Friday, January 13, 2023, where the governor said we can expect a historic investment in public school capital funding.
