President
Michele Jones
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I am running for re-election for GEA President. It has been a privilege representing Granite Education Association members for the past four years. Serving as your GEA President has deepened my passion for our profession and my respect for our colleagues across the District.
HB267 and other anti-union and anti-public education forces have made GEA's role even more vital. I see it as an honor and privilege to lead through this time when it is imperative that we continue to do the work GEA has a long history of doing: organizing, representing, and advocating for educators, students, and our public schools. I will continue to build upon this tradition. If re-elected, I will continue to uplift and amplify our collective voice and our right to stand strong together, and I would be honored to have your vote. |
Vice President
David PageMy name is David Page, and I am reaching out to humbly ask for your vote for the position of GEA Vice President. Over the past decade, I have had the privilege of serving our membership in various roles. Most recently, I have been honored to serve on the GEA board of directors.
Throughout my tenure, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with talented and dedicated individuals in advancing the interests of our members and students. I have been inspired by the giants who have shaped our organization and established the foundations upon which we stand today. While the recent weeks have tested my optimism, I firmly believe that these obstacles are opportunities in disguise. It is our moment to step up and become the giants that future generations of educators will look up to. By standing united, we have the strength to overcome any threats to our association, our members, or our students. I am confident that together, we can achieve remarkable feats and leave a legacy for future generations. Let us be the steady shoulders upon which our successors can meet their own challenges. Thank you. Shantelle DiazMy name is Shantelle Diaz and I would love another term as Vice President of GEA. This is my 14th year and I’m currently a 5th grade teacher at William Penn Elementary. I was an Excel winner and a Granite Teacher of the Year. I have taught in both elementary and Jr high Title 1 schools and have been able to share different perspectives with the board and district. I have loved being involved with GEA and being able to represent our members in teams involved with the calendar, budget, insurance, and negotiations. Even through this destructive legislative session it gives me hope to see the influence that each of you has on your students to help build better leaders for tomorrow’s teachers and students. In the meantime, we’ll continue fighting for their rights to quality schools and our rights to advocacy in all the rooms where “it” happens.
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Heidi Jensen
I’ve been teaching for 18 years in the same Title 1 school. I know how important it is for teachers to be prepared for students who require more support and resources to fill their gaps in education. GEA has been a huge partner with the district, to be more supportive for all. Because of this, I value my union. As a teacher driven organization I have realized that my work environment and conditions, are my students’ learning environment. I have been an active member serving as AR and Board Member, and served in many UEA roles. Now, I want to be “in the room where it happens”, serving on a different level of leadership. As VP I will support our GEA President, and be a liaison between district, teachers, and our union. We have a big fight ahead of us, and we can’t give up!
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At - Large Seat
Mitchell AtkinsonMy name is Mitchell Atkinson and I am declaring my candidacy for the GEA board of directors, at-large seat. I am currently in my 6th year of teaching kindergarten at Granger Elementary and have been a GEA member since day 1. My third year of teaching I was elected to be the Association Representative at my school. As I attended GEA meetings and learned more about our organization, our vision, and our passion, I was inspired to get more involved. I am currently serving as a member of the negotiations team and the GEA Political Action Committee (PAC.) As an educator early in my career I have specific experience with: DLI, early childhood education, multilingual students, diverse educators, and political activism. As a member of the GEA board, I will use my voice to speak for our most vulnerable students and help lead the charge against the UT legislature’s power grabbing tactics.
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Jaden FordMy name is Jaden Ford and I am a fourth-year teacher at Churchill Junior High School. I’ve been a GEA member since my first year of teaching, and I am now running for the At-Large seat. I got actively involved only in the past two and a half years, but that work is something that I pride myself on.
In those past two years, I got to serve and represent you at the negotiating table to make sure that our day to day was slightly easier and more respected. I got to sit beside you as an AR at monthly meetings. Through all of this, I learned how our union gives ordinary teachers voice. That is needed now more than ever. Our union is under attack and that fight is ugly. With your support, I will fight for your voice, and your rights, just a little longer. |
Secondary Seat
Haley KelleyMy name is Haley Kelley, I am a 6th and 7th grade teacher at Kearns Jr. High. I am running for a second term representing secondary educators on the GEA Executive Board. I am running again because I believe in the value of the work we do at GEA. I have enjoyed learning about the process and inner workings of GEA and want to continue to learn and grow as an advocate and educator. As a GEA board member, I have had the opportunity and privilege to chair the GEA Political Action Committee and be a member of the UEA Political Action Committee. I have enjoyed these responsibilities and would love the opportunity to continue in that good work. Throughout my career, I have been committed to advocating for the rights and needs of both educators and students. I understand the challenges we face in our profession, especially during the events of current and past legislative sessions, and am determined to ensure that our voices are heard and represented at every level. Serving on the executive board will allow me to work more closely with colleagues and elected officials to address issues that impact our work environment, professional development, and overall well-being.
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Specialist Seat
Kelly CollettHi, I’m Kelly Collett and I am running for Specialist seat on the GEA board. Serving on the GEA board has been clarifying for me as a special education teacher. It has reinforced my passion for advocacy, serving my students, and their inclusion within our school and district community. It has increased my
knowledge about how our district runs and how important leadership is for organizing and our employment rights. I have been able to be a voice for teachers and students, as our working conditions are intertwined with our students’ learning conditions. During my time on the board, we have increased GEA and district leadership communication and developed better ways for special education teachers to share concerns with GEA like this year’s focus groups. I have been proud to represent special education teachers. It’s vital for our success and our students that we have a voice and seat at the table. |
Darlene SpringerHELLO! My name is Darlene Springer. I am a school counselor at Kennedy Jr High School. This is my 5th year at Granite School District. Previously I had experience in the Tooele School District. I come from a long line of Union members and supporters. My father was in the Carpenter’s Union for over 40 years. I am interested in becoming a GEA “Specialist” representative. As a representative, I would be available to members at all times (day and evening). I am an active listener and would plan to provide problem solving ideas. I would help members to learn how to maintain composure during a difficult conversation. Also, I would help members to use (and learn) good, professional communication skills. We can look at choices during a difficult (and not so difficult) time at your work site. I will work with the GEA on recent bills and legislative issues. HB 267 is at the core of all of our hearts and is still an active issue. There is a lot of work to be done to support the needs we educators are asking for in this bill and I promise to do and advocate for that work. Having a fair and equitable contract that includes a better than average wage and hearty benefits will be a priority of mine too. Educators are passionate about their jobs. When we are comfortable with our salary and benefits, we have an underlying energy that helps us attend to our student’s needs.
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RA Delegate
Geo HunterI’m running as a NEA RA Delegate to represent our profession and association on the national level. Now more than ever, with actions against our profession happening at the state and national levels, we need to come together and unite. I’ve spent the last several years advocating for education from the school-level to the state and national level. I’ve participated in UEA programs such as Policy Ambassador and the Early Leadership Initiative. Through both experiences, I’ve learned skills on how to professionally fight for our association and profession. I’ve had the honor of serving our association members as an AR for the past two years at Cyprus High School. Through these experiences, I’ve been able to gather from colleagues the most pressing needs our profession requires to be the most supportive of our primary stakeholders: students. As your delegate, I will advocate for ALL in our profession. I will work towards representing common goals we share with NEA and advocate for goals that may not be considered at the moment nationally.
Thank you for your consideration. |