Orlando, FL– Today Anna V. Eskamani received the endorsement of the Florida Education Association (FEA). The FEA is a statewide federation of teacher and education workers’ labor unions in the state of Florida in the United States. Its 140,000 members make it the largest union in the state.
“FEA has chosen to endorse your candidacy for the office of House District 47. This endorsement is a recognition of your advocacy for teachers and support professionals, as well as your support for neighborhood public schools in Florida,” stated Joanne McCall, President of FEA.
Protecting public education is one of Anna’s top legislative priorities, and this past week she signed onto FEA’s Candidate Pledge to improve teacher and education staff salaries too.
“I am a proud graduate of Orange County Public Schools and a passionate protector of public education. I am grateful to the teachers who supported me in my growth and development, and know that our schools will not thrive if we do not support our teachers,” said Anna. “Teachers deserve improved pay, access to leadership development experiences, and to be treated as professionals by allowing them to have the freedom to teach beyond a test. We must invest n public education, and not divert tax dollars to private for-profit Charter Schools. Education is a right for all students regardless of color, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, and ability. Students should be safe in our schools too, with teachers never armed.”
After this past legislative session, state leaders touted a $101.50 per student increase in public education, yet all but $.47 of that funding is mandated to be spent for new obligations being imposed on school districts.
“That $.47 is supposed to be used by school districts to provide teachers raises, fund new educational programs, and manage other inflationary operating costs,” said Anna. “It’s a joke, how do the same state leaders that attack public schools as “failure factories” then turn around and starve our public schools by not providing adequate funding? Ultimately it will be our children that pay the price.”
Anna refuses to allow our public education system to move back towards segregation and to feel more like prisons than places of learning. She has, and always will, fight to empower and enhance the experiences of our students, parents, and teachers.
More About Anna
Anna V. Eskamani is lifelong Orlando Native and daughter of immigrant parents who has worked relentlessly her entire life to protect all members of our community through effective advocacy, bold leadership, and strategic management. A community organizer with a proven track record in building consensus while fighting unapologetically for progressive values, Anna currently serves as the Senior Director of Public Affairs and Communications for Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida.* She manages a team across 22 counties and is known in the legislature and across the nation as an advocate for women’s health and equality. Anna is also a PhD student in Public Affairs at the University of Central Florida and serves as an Adjunct Professor teaching Intro to Women’s Studies. Tough, authentic and unafraid, Anna is a progressive who has proven herself as a leader who works hard, delivers results, and gets things done.
So far, Anna has earned the endorsement of over 40 community leaders and organizations, including an early endorsement from Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. She was also one of the 48 women featured on the cover of Time magazine. When elected, Anna will be the first Iranian-American to serve in the Florida legislature.
*Provided for biographical purposes only