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Laura is a life-long resident of Maricopa County. She attended Westwood High School in Mesa and has a bachelors degree in organizational communication and management from Arizona State University, and a doctorate degree in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University. she is certified in Arizona as a school superintendent. Laura and her husband Jeff have children. 

Laura is a professor of education at Grand Canyon University. Previously, she was the director of early college programs at Mesa Community College, an academic instructor at Arizona State University, an education program supervisor at the Arizona Department of Corrections.

Laura Schaffer is a board member at the East Valley Institute of Technology, representing District 5. 

Candidate website

Believes in providing schools with essential resources, including curriculum and professional development, and plans to support under-resourced schools in Maricopa County.

Supports providing schools with essential resources, including curriculum and professional development, and plans to support under-resourced schools in Maricopa County.

Believes in reinstating a Citizen Advisory Panel to ensure school district operations and fiscal decisions comply with laws. Plans to work with the Superintendent of Schools for better oversight.

Aims to reinstate a Citizen Advisory Panel which will work with the Superintendent of Schools to ensure school district operations and fiscal decisions comply with laws. 

Believes in partnering with county organizations to ensure timely and appropriate support for schools and students. Plans to connect schools and families to necessary services and supports.

Plans to partner with county organizations to connect students and schools to essential services and supports. 

- Supports providing schools with essential resources, including curriculum and professional development, and plans to support under-resourced schools in Maricopa County.
- Aims to reinstate a Citizen Advisory Panel which will work with the Superintendent of Schools to ensure school district operations and fiscal decisions comply with laws. 
- Plans to partner with county organizations to connect students and schools to essential services and supports. 

School Facilities & Resources

As of June 20, 2024, Laura Schaffer Metcalfe’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Student Wellbeing

Believes in enhancing school curriculum by integrating career and technical education. Plans to collaborate with local unions and state apprenticeship organizations to achieve this goal.

Supports integrating career and technical education into the curriculum. Plans to collaborate with local unions and state apprenticeship organizations to achieve this goal.

Believes innovation in school curriculum includes professional learning, instructional coaching, and partnerships with businesses and apprenticeship programs to meet educational needs.

Supports innovation in school curriculum using professional learning, instructional coaching, and partnerships with businesses and apprenticeship programs to meet educational needs.

- Supports integrating career and technical education into the curriculum. Plans to collaborate with local unions and state apprenticeship organizations to achieve this goal.
- Supports innovation in school curriculum using professional learning, instructional coaching, and partnerships with businesses and apprenticeship programs to meet educational needs.

School Curriculum

Teachers

Supports providing educational resources to overlooked schools, including Tribal Schools, detention education schools, and adult education learning centers. Plans to assist schools not part of large districts, such as Arizona Schools for the Deaf and Blind and sheriff's schools.

- Supports providing educational resources to overlooked schools, including Tribal Schools, detention education schools, and adult education learning centers. Plans to assist schools not part of large districts, such as Arizona Schools for the Deaf and Blind and sheriff's schools.

Access to Education

Endorsed by West and Southeast Realtors of the Valley, Scottsdale Realtors, Arizona List, National Organization for Women Arizona PAC, Southwest Carpenters, Communication Workers of America, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal employees, Ironworkers Arizona Local 75, Maricopa County Young Democrats, and Moms Demand Action.

Endorsed by Arizona (AZ) attorney general Kris Mayes, U.S. senator Greg Stanton, former AZ attorney general Terry Goddard, Maricopa County Community College District board members Kelli Butler and Linda Thor, and Mesa councilwoman Jen Duff.

Endorsed by Arizona house representatives Lorena Austin, Seth Blattman, Patty Contreras, Quantá Crews, Analise Ortiz, Judy Schweibert, and Stacy Travers.

Endorsed by Arizona senators Anna Hernandes, minority leader Mitzi Epstein, and minority whip Eva Burch.

- Endorsed by West and Southeast Realtors of the Valley, Scottsdale Realtors, Arizona List, National Organization for Women Arizona PAC, Southwest Carpenters, Communication Workers of America, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal employees, Ironworkers Arizona Local 75, Maricopa County Young Democrats, and Moms Demand Action.
- Endorsed by Arizona (AZ) attorney general Kris Mayes, U.S. senator Greg Stanton, former AZ attorney general Terry Goddard, Maricopa County Community College District board members Kelli Butler and Linda Thor, and Mesa councilwoman Jen Duff.
- Endorsed by Arizona house representatives Lorena Austin, Seth Blattman, Patty Contreras, Quantá Crews, Analise Ortiz, Judy Schweibert, and Stacy Travers.
- Endorsed by Arizona senators Anna Hernandes, minority leader Mitzi Epstein, and minority whip Eva Burch.

Endorsements

Laura Schaffer Metcalfe

Dr. Laura Schaffer Metcalfe is a life-long resident of Maricopa County, where she has also completed her higher education, including Masters and Doctorate degrees in Educational Leadership. Specific details about her family, the church she attends, or additional personal life aspects are not provided in the information given.

Dr. Laura Metcalfe has over 30 years of experience in education, having worked as a teacher and administrator in K-12 public schools in Maricopa County, Arizona. She has also served in a leadership role in the Maricopa County Superintendent of Schools Office. Additionally, her experience extends to higher education within the state. Dr. Metcalfe holds a Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University and is certified in Arizona as a school superintendent.

As of June 28, 2024, Laura Schaffer Metcalfe’s website did not contain information on this issue.

The candidate's website says, "The office is statutorily responsible for providing services supporting school governing board elections, bond and override elections, appointments, school finance, and maintaining homeschool and private school records. The Superintendent leverages the office to strengthen parent and teacher voices, increase respect for the education profession, and create resources that expand the capacity of teachers, administrators, and support staff. The superintendent also oversees the Maricopa County Accommodation District."

- The county superintendent advises schools and teachers on student data usage, staff development, school curriculum, and technology to improve student performance.
- The county superintendent manages the county's public school budget and ensures proper tracking and reporting. 
- The county superintendent oversees school district board members and helps administer all school elections.
- The superintendent is elected in a partisan election for a four-year term. 

Oversees K-12 public schools and manages the education budget.