Joe Thomas

Gilbert

Profession: Public School Teacher in the Mesa Unified School District

Fellowship Track: Future Candidate

Motivation:  Four years ago, my activism was sparked by meeting one of my state representatives.  I met him in his office to ask him to fully fund public education in that year’s Arizona budget.  He called that “ridiculous” and proceeded to “educate” me  on what needed to happen to education:  charters, vouchers, privatization.  I have been a public school advocate from that moment forward. 

Volunteer Highlights: Member, Arizona Council for the Social Studies; Board of Directors, Arizona Education Association; Mesa Education Association; Gilbert Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class XIII

Leadership Interests: Public Servant in the Arizona Legislature

CPL-AZ Mentors: Joel Foster; Community Relations Director for the SEIU