Leigh Wins!

On March 25, Leigh won the election to become your next AEA President. She said, "I am looking forward to effecting positive and meaningful change in the way we do business. Our members need to know they have the support of AEA when they need it."

AEA Candidate Forum Speech

If you were unable to make it to the AEA office to hear the candidates speak, here is what Leigh Hawkinson said to the membership:

My name is Leigh Hawkinson and I am running once again for AEA President. It has been a several years since I was involved in the Association to any great degree. When I decided in 2002 not to seek re-election and return to a school site, I thought it best for the new leaders to establish themselves and forge their own path. When things went off track several years ago with AEA, I faced medical issues which prevented me from getting back involved. I am pleased to say that I have resolved those issues and am ready, willing and able to step back into the Presidency.

As your President, I will bring back the respect and authority of AEA. We have lost that altogether these past years. It will take someone with proven experience and knowledge to make this happen. I am in the unique position of having been the campaign manager for our newest Board member, Art Kaspereen and worked closely with the other Board Members. I have frequent and meaningful conversations with them and we work from a position of mutual respect. Additionally, I am not afraid to take on any and all administrators. We have been bullied by them long enough. It is imperative that we re-establish a position of strength or we will continue to be treated unfairly.

A cornerstone of my previous tenure was regular school site visits and numerous informative member communications. I will continue both of these as your President. I will work diligently to use our dues money responsibly and effectively organize for crisis. I will also represent our association at the state and national levels. My record clearly shows that I can effectively accomplish all of this and more. Additionally, I have an extensive knowledge of the contract and legal issues which affect our jobs everyday. As President, I initiated and won every grievance filed by the Association.

In closing I want to say that always foremost in my mind is and will be my duty to fairly and equally represent ALL members. My motto has been and will continue to be “An injury to one is an injury to all!” I appreciate your vote.

I am so excited to hear this news! You have my support and vote. We need strong leadership to represent our members during these troubled times.

Elect Leigh Hawkinson - AEA President

As former AEA President, I worked diligently to put AEA in a position of power and respect. I want to see that return to AEA and am willing to put my efforts toward that goal, once again. As President I also:

 WORKED DILIGENTLY TO REDUCE & MAINTAIN LOCAL DUES FOR FOUR YEARS!

 ORGANIZED FOR CRISIS¬, RESULTING¬ IN FULLY PAID BENEFITS & BETTER PAY!

 CONDUCTED REGULAR SITE VISITS

 REPRESENTED YOU AT THE STATE & NATIONAL LEVELS

 ESTABLISHED MONTHLY PROBLEM SOLVING MEETINGS¬ WITH THE DISTRICT¬

 ESTABLISHED REGULAR COMMUNICATION WITH MEMBERS

 RECEIVED AND RESPONDED TO OVER 120 PHONE CALLS PER MONTH!

Bring Back the Respect

A Little Bit About Me:

As your former AEA President I:

• Directed bargaining through four (4) consecutive collective bargaining agreements.
• Established and maintained a strong local contract maintenance program which led to improved employee relations and problem solving with all parties.
• Successfully worked through several crisis situations to mutually agreeable resolutions
• Implemented the first regular communication program
• Created regular communication flyers keeping employees better informed
• Coordinated and implemented workshop and training program for all employees
• Significantly improved communication with all parties through monthly problem solving meetings.

Education and Background:
Employee of AUSD for over 23 years!

 High School Counselor 2008-present
 Counselor On Special Assignment – 2004-2008
 Intermediate School Counselor 2001 to 2004
 Association President 1996 - 2001
 CTA Communications Awards 2000
 Women’s Leadership Training – 2000
 Presenter Good Teaching Conference –2000
 Community Partnership Training – 1999
 Negotiations Institute – 1998 & 2000
 Grievance and Arbitration Institute – 1998 & 2000
 Conflict Resolution Training - 1998
 Teacher, Norte Vista High School, English – 1991-1996
 Teacher, Loma Vista Intermediate School – 1987-1991
 Master of Arts, Counseling with PPS Credential – 1992
 Teaching Credential, Secondary Single Subject - 1986
 Bachelor of Arts, Double major- English and History, with Honors – 1985

TRAININGS/CONFERENCES/WORKSHOPS
(As AEA President)

 NEWSLETTER ON A DISK – INTRODUCTORY AND ADVANCED
 CTA SUMMER INSTITUTE – POLITICAL ACTION STRAND, COMMUNICATIONS STRAND, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP STRAND
 SERVICE CENTER GRIEVANCE TRAINING (THREE YEARS)
 REGION FOUR LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE (FOUR YEARS)
 SERVICE CENTER FALL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE (SIX YEARS)
 CTA PRESIDENTS CONFERENCE (THREE YEARS)
 NEA PACIFIC REGION CONFERENCE (THREE YEARS)
 COMMUNITY INTERVENTION/CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING

 CONFLICT RESOLUTION, TRAINER OF TRAINERS
 SERVICE CENTER PEER ASSISTANCE/PEER REVIEW TRAINING

 CONFLICT MANAGEMENT IN THE CLASSROOM, TRAINER/PRESENTER

 SITE REPRESENTATIVE TRAINING, TRAINED SITE REPS.

 HOW TO CREAT ORGANIZING SUPPORT TEAMS TRAINING

 WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP TRAINING – GROUP PROCESSING SKILLS AND PERSONAL ASSESSMENT OF LEADERSHIP

It's Official!

It became official news yesterday when Leigh Hawkinson, former AEA president, announced she decided to throw her hat into the ring and run for AEA president once again.

"Return to Respect" is her campaign theme!

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