Page 38 - The EDGE Fall 2024

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

BY MIKE MARTINEZ
What Now for AASBO Professional Development?

MIKE MARTINEZ

When I ran for the Director of Educational A small sample survey I sent out came back
Programs this past summer, I gave away with some ideas as to why:
stickers and buttons with a bitmoji of myself

proudly proclaiming “I PD’d Today!”. I Response % Example
remember that first dinner at the AASBO Accessibility 30% Class too far away
Summer Conference where, as luck would Communication 3% Wasn't aware there was a class
have it, I ended up sitting at the same table Content 18% Too detailed / Not detailed enough
with Linda Virgil, the only other candidate District Priority 8% No budget / Denied approval

running for this position. What are the odds, Registration 8% Class was full, couldn't register
right? Scheduling 21% Class times didn't fit into my schedule
Taking 11% Already taking (or have taken) classes
I immediately challenged her to an arm-

wrestling contest to settle the election right
then and there, to which she responded The Number One reason? About 30% of
something along the lines of “Bring it on!” respondents indicate that accessibility was
in her most charming British accent. This the main issue they have not attended an
woman was not to be trifled with, but cooler AASBO workshop. My gut feeling was
heads prevailed, and we ended up having this was going to be a lot of our more rural
a great conversation about professional districts outside of Maricopa County, but it

development at AASBO. ended up being more than that. If you live in
Glendale, how likely would it be for you to
And now here I am, climbing up the learning go to a class in Mesa? I’m a west-sider till
curve like some scruffy mountain goat. So let I die, and I know that once the “streets” start
me introduce a few priorities that I’m looking that’s my cue to turn around and go back. I’m
forward to tackling this year! not alone in that.
Priority 1: Getting to Class. There are only
a few options available for school business This November, AASBO will deliver our first
professional development and thanks to past hybrid workshop for a Chart of Accounts

AASBO leadership and the decisions they’ve class to test the waters on expanding our
made, this organization is the premier source availability to staff members everywhere. This
for it. So why aren’t more districts taking class contains a lot of detailed information
advantage? and will be our test to see where we need

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38 THE EDGE FALL 2024