About Judy

After my family moved to Phoenix in 1958, I grew up on the west side where my dad was a shop teacher at Carl Hayden High School and my mom took classes at Phoenix College to earn her Associates’ Degree in Theater. My brother, sister and I received a great education in our neighborhood public school, John F. Long Elementary. My brother, sister, and I received a great education in our neighborhood public schools, John F. Long Elementary, and then Maryvale High School where I attended for my first two years, and Sunnyslope High School where we all earned our diplomas

As big believers in Maricopa County’s nationally recognized community colleges, my parents encouraged me to attend nearby Glendale Community College which is where I not only got my start in college, but also met my future husband. We married a year later, and after moving to Tempe so he could continue his studies at ASU, I also took classes at Mesa Community College to chip away at earning my own degree. When we moved to Yuma for his first teaching job, I completed my Associate's degree at Arizona Western College.

After I completed my B.A.Ed. at ASU, my husband, two sons, and I settled in Northwest Phoenix, where Peter and I both taught at Greenway High School. He was an award-winning DECA teacher and I became a lead teacher in the English department. Our kids excelled in Washington Elementary District schools, on our local soccer and Little League teams, and in community theater productions at our church. 

After teaching English for several years, I earned a library endorsement on my teaching certificate and began a 20 year career as the librarian at Cactus High School. During that time, I was honored to earn district awards including Pride of Peoria and Inherit the Tradition for my work using our library to foster a sense of community in our school. 

I never expected to find myself in politics, but when I learned the majority in the Arizona legislature was deliberately de-funding public schools and undermining the teachers who are so fundamental to our freedom and communities, I thought somebody should do something about that. So, in 2020, I ran to represent the North Valley neighborhood where I’d spent my life to support our public schools and make sure everyone has their chance to thrive.

For the next four years I dedicated myself to increasing teacher salaries, funding our public schools properly, creating accountability and safety for students whatever schools their families chose, and creating policies to make Arizona more affordable for middle class families. 

I was deeply proud to sponsor and help pass legislation to increase funding community college adult education programs. That funding is a smart investment.  I know from my own experience that community colleges are a pipeline to helping people fulfill their potential, providing employers with a strong educated workforce, and creating a strong economy because everyone is contributing.