Mesa Legend hosts education open forum
Candidates for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction have been invited to a public education forum “Arizona’s Education Future: A Forum with the Candidates” Wednesday, Oct. 7, at Mesa Community College, where students and community members can hear candidates ideas about how to improve public education.
The Journalism and New Media Studies Program and The Mesa Legend student newspaper are presenting the event from 3 to 4 p.m. in Elsner Library, room LB 145, at the Southern and Dobson campus and have invited both candidates, Teresa Leyba Ruiz and Kimberly Yee.
The forum will give students and Mesa community members a chance to engage directly with the candidates and discuss how state education policies affect their communities.
“Campus events help students consider different perspectives and become involved in their communities.” Alejandra Maya, MCC’s civic engagement program coordinator, said
Planned questions will address challenges public schools are facing, such as how funding is distributed and artificial intelligence in classrooms. A 15-minute period for audience questions is scheduled at the end of the forum.
Teresa Leyba Ruiz, the Democratic candidate for Arizona’s superintendent of public instruction, previously was the president of Glendale Community College and began her career as a seventh grade math teacher. According to her campaign website, Ruiz plans to expand literacy and tutoring programs, advocate for higher teacher pay and partner with colleges to recruit and retain educators.
Kimberly Yee, the Republican candidate for Arizona’s superintendent of public instruction, currently serves as state treasurer and previously served as state Senate majority leader. Yee has emphasized improving reading and math achievement, supporting school choice and establishing a mentoring program that pairs new teachers with experienced or retired educators
Alejandra Maya stated that hearing directly from candidates can help students understand public issues and consider how they can take part in the community. She hopes the attendees will ask questions and examine ideas as they prepare to make election decisions. Students can “Compare ideas, learn about other ideas, and make informed decisions with the upcoming elections,” Maya said
She said that these discussions also give students the ability to interact with others in their community . “Our community just doesn’t stop here on campus or- in the classroom, it goes beyond that,” Maya said.
Joseph Barnhurst, an editor for The Mesa Legend, said the event also gives student journalists practical experience and keeps other students informed on what is happening in the upcoming election.
“Opportunities like this are what make Mesa Legend so special,” Barnhurst said. “Not just being able to provide real world experiences for our writers and editors, but providing information in an accessible way for our community and fellow students.”
Of the two candidates up for election, only Teresa Leyba Ruiz has confirmed her attendance at the time of publishing. Senator Yee has not responded to any communication or invitation.
