Advisory Councils
The following Advisory Councils are convened by the State Superintendent to inform the work of our department. Each advisory council has a unique membership, although every council includes educators, as well as one high school student and one college student. If you have any questions, email [email protected].
African American Advisory Council
The African American Advisory Councils is made up of community members from across Arizona and staff within the Arizona Department of Education. This Advisory Council discusses issues important to the African American community and advise the State Superintendent and the Department of Education about the department’s policies. The council also collaborates with experts and various stakeholders to advance the council’s priorities and goals.
April Coleman | Phoenix Union High School District |
Centae Richards | Prescott College |
Dawn Demps | ASU, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College |
DeMarcus Jenkins (Chair) | University of Arizona |
Devin del Palacio | Tollison Union High School District |
Dr. Quintin Boyce | Roosevelt School District |
Eman Massoud | Gilbert Unified School District |
Eric Anthony Joseph | Arizona State University |
Hansley Mussotte | ADE |
Hope Wells | Humbolt Unified School District |
Jacqui Clay | Cochise County |
Jimmy Hart | Tucson Unified School District |
Kareem Neal | Phoenix Union High School District, 2019 Teacher of the Year |
Kenneth Mims | Science Prep Academy |
Laura Lee | ADE |
Lloyd Hopkins | Million Dollar Teacher Project |
Teniqua Broughton | State of Black Arizona |
Yolanda Wheelington | Phoenix Elementary School District |
Zel Fowler | Alliance of Black School Educators and Phoenix Elementary School District |
- Post-Secondary Attainment
- Accurate African American History
- Recruitment and Retention of African American Teachers
College Student Advisor Alex Butler traveled to Washington, D.C. in 2019 to advocate for Pell Grant Recipients
Equitable and Inclusive Practices Advisory Council
The Equitable and Inclusive Practices Advisory Council is made up of community members from a wide variety of perspectives and organizations related to education. This Council is focused on creating equitable and inclusive schools and education spaces across Arizona. The Advisory Council also discusses issues important to their communities and advise the State Superintendent and the Arizona Department of Education about the department’s policies. The council also collaborates with experts and various stakeholders to advance the council’s priorities and goals.
Carlisa Parra | Marana Unified School District |
Carrie Sampson | ASU Teachers College |
Daise Robledo | Arizona Department of Education |
David Hernandez | Cartwright Elementary School District |
Devynn Thurston | Tempe Union High School District |
Doreen Candelaria | Arizona Department of Education |
Dr. Adama Sallu | Chandler Unified School District |
Dr. Clifford Moon | Tempe Union High School District |
Dr. Lenay Dunn | WestED |
Dr. Rose Owens-West | WestEd |
Duane Sheppard | Yuma Elementary School District |
Haley Honeman | Arizona Department of Education |
Janelle Wood | Black Mothers Forum |
Jennifer Champ | Washington Elementary School District |
Joseph Martin | Northern Arizona University |
Julio Rubio (Chair) | Carl Hayden High School |
Lorenzo Lopez | Tucson Unified School District |
Melanie Bertrand | ASU Teachers College |
Meleika Wadley | Phoenix Elementary School District |
Nora Ramirez | AZ Association of Teachers of Mathematics |
Raquel Alvara | Arizona Department of Education |
Tami Staas | Arizona Trans Youth Parent Organization |
Tim Valencia | City of Phoenix |
- LGBTQ
- Anti-Racism
Indian Education Advisory Council
The Indian Education Advisory Council is mandated by law and is made up of educators, community members and parents in the Native American Community. The Advisory Council discusses issues important to the Native American community and advise the State Superintendent and the Department of Education about the department’s policies. The council also collaborates with experts and various stakeholders to advance the council’s priorities and goals.
Allan Paxon | UofA |
Annabell Bowen | ASU |
Bradley Pico | Blue Ridge Unified School District |
Brian Garcia | Tempe Union High School District |
Chad Stephen Hamill | Northern Arizona University |
Chairman Jon Huey | Yavapai-Apache Nation |
Chairman Terry Rambler | San Carlos Apache |
Chairman Timothy Nuvangyaoma | Hopi Tribe |
Chairwoman Gwendena Lee-Gatewood | White Moutain Apache Tribe |
Chairwoman Sherry Cordova | Cocopah Indian Tribe |
Constance Onsae | Baboquivari Unified School District |
Conucilwoman Wi-Bwa Grey | Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community |
Daniel Sestiaga | Tohono O’odham Community College |
Deborah Dennison | San Carlos Unified School District |
Debra Toya | Mesa Public Schools |
Derrick Leslie | White Moutain Apache Tribe |
Esther Nystrom | Mesa Public Schools |
Frances Benavidez | Tohono O’odham Community College
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Freda Joe | Navajo Technical College |
Hans Klose | AZ State Board for Charter Schools |
Jacob Moore | ASU |
Jeanene Krantz Gross | Anya itpak Elementary |
Jeremy Garcia | UofA |
Jolyana Kroupa | Phoenix Indian Center |
Kathy Kitcheyan | San Carlos Apache College |
Kimberly Daingkau-Begay | Amphitheater Public Schools |
Kristen Talbert | Tempe Elementary District |
Lauryn Sekayumptewa-Tso | Chandler Unified School District |
Lemual Adson | Shonto Preparatory |
Lexana Echegaray | Sunnyside Unified School District |
Lourdes Pereira | ASU |
Lynette Stant | 2020 Arizona Teacher of the Year |
Lynnann Yazzie (Chair) | Phoenix Union High School District |
Maxine Roanhorse-Dineyazhe | BIE Education Resource Center – Phoenix |
Melodie Lopez | Indigenous Strategies |
Paul Fulginiti | Career Success Schools |
President Jonathan Nez | Navajo Nation |
Rafael Tapia | Partnership with Native Americans |
Roxanne Thomas | Parent |
Coconino County Superintendent Tommy Lewis | Coconino County |
Vicki Greer | McNary Elementary School |
Latinx Advisory Council
The Latinx Advisory Council is made up of community members from across Arizona and staff within the Arizona Department of Education. The Advisory Council discusses issues important to the Latinx community and advise the State Superintendent and the Department of Education about the department’s policies. The council also collaborates with experts and various stakeholders to advance the council’s priorities and goals.
Aaron Mendoza | Imagine Schools Coolidge |
Anaiis Ballesteros | All In Education |
Cesar Aguilar (Co-Chair) | Arizona Student Association and Balsz Unified Board |
Christina Brownfield | ADE |
Dr. Jose Leyba | Previous Chairperson |
Dr. Lupita Hightower | Tolleson Elementary School District |
Emily O'Neil (Co-Chair) | ADE |
Frank Lomeli | Friendly House, Inc. |
Karla Chavira | Grand Canyon University |
Maria C. Federico Brummer | Tucson Unified School District |
Marilyn Garcia | Yuma Unified School District |
Marisol Garcia | Arizona Education Association |
Martin Perez | Carl Hayden High School |
Michelle Doherty | Former Teacher of the Year |
Oscar Hernandez Ortiz | ASU |
Panfilo Contreras |
Arizona Minority Education Policy Analysis Center |
Raquel Alvara | ADE |
Rosanne Yniguez | Maricopa Community Colleges |
Rosemary Hernandez | AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute |
Sylvia Symonds | ASU |
Vince Yanez | Helios Education Foundation |
The Latinx Advisory Council developed a Translation Best Practices & Tips document for schools and districts.
Student Advisory Council
Learn more about the Student Advisory Council by visiting their webpage.
In addition to the Student Advisory Council, the various Councils choose one high school and one college student to serve on the African American Advisory Council, Latinx Advisory Council, Indian Education Advisory Council and the Equitable and Inclusive Practices Advisory Council. These councils are comprised of teachers, education stakeholders, business leaders and community members in addition to the appointed students.
The Advisory Councils discuss issues important to students and communities in Arizona and advise the State Superintendent and the Department of Education about the department’s policies. The Student Advisors will share the perspective and experiences of students in their community with the State Superintendent and will influence the councils’ policies and initiatives, which have statewide impact.
The Student Advisors will be full members of the Advisory Councils, serving a one-year term, with an equal voice and vote. The Student Advisors will share the perspective and experiences of students in their community with the State Superintendent and will influence the councils’ policies and initiatives, which have statewide impact. The representative will also have the opportunity to connect the work of the councils and the Department of Education to their community. Meetings take place near the capital and will have a virtual attendance option.
Each applicant must be currently enrolled as a full-time student in Arizona with good academic standing. Students in high school, community college, or a four-year post-secondary institution are all eligible to apply.
Selection Process
Applications are due by Friday, April 2, 2021. After an initial review of applications by ADE Employees and Community Members, applications will be evaluated, and qualifying candidates will be asked to participate in an interview on either Saturday, May 1, 2021 and Sunday, May 2, 2021. Please save both dates. Applicants will then be notified if they are invited to serve on the council.
ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN 5 PM on Friday, April 2, 2021. For further information, email [email protected]
The application window for the 2021-2022 Advisory Councils has closed. Please check back in Spring 2022 for the next application.
