Sometimes when things are really dark, the universe provides a bright light to remind us of our shared humanity. At a time when the leaders in our nation at every level of government seem to relish in the dehumanization of the most marginalized groups in society, glimmers of hope are important.
In Part I of this update, I shared that the Peoria (PUSD) board majority is pushing to revamp the district’s social workers’ job description and policy. They claim it is because of anecdotal legal concerns even though no formal complaints have been filed. They get a lot of their policy ideas from Astroturf organizations like Moms for Liberty. These proposals have nothing to do with best practices and everything to do with Christian nationalistic ideologies and pushing the Project 2025 agenda.
During the nearly-two-hour study session, experts in the district provided answers to every question posed by the board. Despite the sustained attacks to the district, coming from sitting board members, the social workers, counselors, and department heads in PUSD publicly dispelled their mis/disinformation and dropped copious amounts of knowledge.
JEANNE CASTEEN has a bachelor’s degree in human communication and history from the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at ASU and a master’s in education, also from ASU. Jeanne has over 11 years of experience teaching in Maricopa County’s public schools. In 2011, Jeanne completed the Emerge Arizona program and in 2012 became a school board member of the Creighton School District. She served as Board President from 2016 through 2020. In 2020, Ms. Casteen ran for Maricopa County School Superintendent, and came within 12,000 votes of winning. She has been awarded the Arizona School Public Relations Association Award for Excellence in Advocacy and Political Contributions to Education as well as the Arizona School Board Association’s All-Arizona School Board Member Award.
Author: Jeanne Casteen, Secular AZ Executive Director
JEANNE CASTEEN has a bachelor’s degree in human communication and history from the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at ASU and a master’s in education, also from ASU. Jeanne has over 11 years of experience teaching in Maricopa County’s public schools. In 2011, Jeanne completed the Emerge Arizona program and in 2012 became a school board member of the Creighton School District. She served as Board President from 2016 through 2020. In 2020, Ms. Casteen ran for Maricopa County School Superintendent, and came within 12,000 votes of winning. She has been awarded the Arizona School Public Relations Association Award for Excellence in Advocacy and Political Contributions to Education as well as the Arizona School Board Association’s All-Arizona School Board Member Award. View all posts by Jeanne Casteen, Secular AZ Executive Director →
