ARIZONA NEWS

Republican Arizona teacher running for state Senate seat

Jun 11, 2018, 1:48 PM | Updated: 3:22 pm

(Kristina Kelly)...

(Kristina Kelly)

(Kristina Kelly)

PHOENIX — When schools closed down for the statewide teacher walkout last month, second-grade teacher Kristina Kelly took her four children to the Arizona Capitol on day one of the six-day work stoppage.

“I thought it was important that they witness democracy in action, as well as history,” she said.

Kelly is one of a few active Arizona teachers running for legislative seats. She’s running as a Republican for state Senate in Legislative District 23, which covers Scottsdale and Fountain Hills.

State Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita is among Kelly’s three primary opponents.

More than 40 former teachers, mostly Democrats, also are running for legislative seats in Arizona.

For most of the educators running, the Red for Ed movement inspired them to try unseating lawmakers they believe are failing to provide adequate funding for public schools.

Kelly said she had already decided to run prior to the walkout. However, she said it inspired her as a teacher and that “we can learn from the Red for Ed movement.”

“None of the teachers wanted to walk out, but they felt they had no other option,” she said. “We need to be willing to solve problems before they get out of control and keep an open dialogue,” she said.

The walkout ended when the Legislature approved Gov. Doug Ducey’s plan to give teachers a 20 percent pay raise by 2020, as well as $371 million in flexible spending to public schools over the next five years.

Kelly said the governor’s plan is a “great first step” in providing much-needed funding for public schools.

“But I feel that we can do more,” she said. “I feel that we need to find sustainable funding for education.”

A teacher on and off for several years, Kelly said she has seen the effects of education funding cuts. She said at Scottsdale’s Laguna Elementary School, where she teaches, funding cuts have led to a shortage of counselors, who she said are key to helping students deal with mental health issues.

She said teachers have also had to take on a bigger role in the lives of students.

“You’re not just a teacher, you’re also a counselor and a caregiver,” she said.

In addition to teaching, Kelly operated a small business for seven years and has experience in education policy. She moved to Arizona from California 14 years ago.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona News

Maricopa County employees...

Associated Press

Maricopa County employees taking on extra shifts to help process early ballots

Maricopa County employees are taking on extra shifts to help election workers with an around-the-clock operation to process early ballots that are an unusually long two pages.

10 minutes ago

Phoenix Children's...

Angela Gonzales/Phoenix Business Journal

Phoenix Children’s walks away from giant health insurance contract

Phoenix Children's, one of the nation's largest pediatric health systems, turned down an $80 million offer from one of Arizona's largest health insurers in a heated contract dispute.

2 hours ago

Judge gavel and baby crib...

Payne Moses

Suspect arrested 38 years after sexual assault, kidnapping case opened in Phoenix

After 38 years, a suspect accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a Phoenix toddler was identified and arrested.

2 hours ago

Donald Trump Liz Cheney...

KTAR.com

Arizona AG’s office investigating whether Trump’s Liz Cheney comments broke the law

The Arizona Attorney General's Office is investigating whether comments Donald Trump made against Liz Cheney at an event in Glendale on Thursday night broke the law.

3 hours ago

A Phoenix man purchased guns from a Tempe firearms dealer that were used in a California hate crime...

Kevin Stone

Phoenix man sentenced for lying while buying guns used later in California hate crime

A Phoenix man was sentenced to prison this week for lying while buying guns that were later used in a hate crime in California.

3 hours ago

Follow @GriseldaZetino...

Sponsored Content by Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Why a Heating Tune-Up is Essential Before Winter

PHOENIX, AZ — With cooler weather on the horizon, making sure your heating system is prepped and ready can make all the difference in staying comfortable this winter.

Sponsored Articles

...

Morris Hall

West Hunsaker, through Morris Hall, supports Make-A-Wish Foundation in Arizona

KTAR’s Community Spotlight this month focuses on Morris Hall and its commitment to supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Arizona.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

It wouldn’t hurt to get your AC checked after Arizona’s excruciating heat wave

A well-maintained air conditioning unit is vital to living a comfortable life inside, away from triple-digit heat in Arizona.

...

Sanderson Ford

3 storylines to get you revved up for the 2024 Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals training camp is just a couple weeks away starting on July 25, and Sanderson Ford is revved up and ready to go.

Republican Arizona teacher running for state Senate seat