Rep. Jackie Thrasher, who doubles as a public school teacher, sees real value in having educators serve in the Legislature.
“A lot of people who are making decisions about education have not been in a classroom in years,” the Glendale Democrat says. “They’re out of touch, and that’s why it’s so important for me to be there.”
If that sounds like a campaign theme, it probably is. Thrasher says she absolutely plans to run for re-election next year, representing District 10.
During the recently concluded legislative session, Thrasher devoted Mondays through Thursdays to her responsibilities at the Capitol, and in a sense was a student, learning the legislative ropes. On Fridays she was back at Lookout Mountain Elementary School wielding a baton. She is the band/orchestra director for Washington Elementary School District.
“I was definitely juggling,” she says.
She graded all of her students and conducted all of their evening concerts. There were a few late night sessions at the Legislature, but none conflicted with scheduled concerts.
“It worked out well,” Thrasher says. “I didn’t have to miss anything at either place. “I wanted to be in school on the last day of the semester, and that was one of the days the speaker gave us off while they were working on the budget. That was great, being there for those end-of-year things, like signing yearbooks and saying goodbye to kids you might never see again.”
Sounding more like a politician than a teacher, she describes her job-juggling as: “It was almost like I was there but I wasn’t there but I was there.”
The five-month ordeal was worth it, she says, but only because she was able to teach part time. “It would have been awful if I had not been able to teach one day a week,” Thrasher says. “It reminded me of why I ran in the first place. It’s a good thing to get back to the real world.”
She plans to resume teaching full time in the fall, and then it will be back to a dual career starting in January. She skipped summer school, missing the deadline by a few days, but says, “That probably would have pushed me over the edge. I needed some time off.”
As a freshman legislator, she wasn’t really apprehensive at the start because as a teacher, planning came natural to her.
‘Student’ at the Legislature
As a “student,” Thrasher says she learned a lot. “It was kind of an opportunity at renewal — to do something new. I learned a lot, and I expect to learn a lot more.”
A Democratic caucus retreat, a three-day session for all freshmen and tips from leadership and veteran lawmakers all were part of helping her up a steep learning curve.
“You can read a rule book, but unless you experience it on the floor, it doesn’t make much sense,” Thrasher says. “Now these things are starting to make sense. That’s the unfortunate thing about term limits. Some folks would be there longer and be able to help you.”
In the off-season, she intends to study the House rules even more. “It’s really key to know the rules,” she says, sounding more like a teacher.
Thrasher has been teaching since 1980, nearly all for Washington Elementary School District. Earlier that first year, she taught band and guitar classes briefly at Alhambra High School, and at 22 was barely older than some of her students.
“That’s when I decided I would prefer to teach the younger ones in elementary school,” she says. “Alhambra was kind of a tough school, and it was a good learning experience for me.”
Thrasher launched her music career in fourth grade at Palo Verde Elementary School. “I wanted to play drums, but my father took me to the beginning band night and said, ‘No, I think you’d like the flute’ Then he said maybe I could switch to the piccolo the next year because it was even smaller.”
She continued playing in the Apollo High School band, and won regional and all-state honors. Music became a major part of her life, so teaching it was a given.
Having taught at several schools in the Washington Elementary District, Thrasher says each provided new and sometimes emotional experiences. She recalls teaching at Shaw Butte Elementary School, where most of the families couldn’t afford to rent instruments, let alone buy them. She prevailed upon the PTA and community groups to donate instruments to the school, for use by the students.
“I had this one kid who was a great kid,” Thrasher says. “I didn’t know anything about his family situation. Well, we had a concert combining two small school bands — Shaw Butte and Moon Mountain. I told the kids to wear black slacks and white shirts. On the night of the concert this kid showed up looking scruffy, but he was wearing black slacks and a white shirt that didn’t fit very well.
“After the concert, I saw him walking alone and asked him where his parents were. He said he didn’t know where his dad was and that his mom was in prison. A neighbor was taking care of his family. He felt he would let me down if he didn’t come to the concert, so he borrowed the clothes from someone else.
“It was one of the life-changing moments in my teaching career. It makes you mindful of how everything you do for kids and every word you say may affect them. Some may need more care than they let on.”
At the other end of the economic spectrum, Thrasher found that at Lookout Mountain Elementary School virtually every family could afford instruments. “All of the parents were thrilled to have a full-time energetic band leader,” she says. “I teach about 300 kids. I’ve built a dynasty.”
Thrasher’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. Last month she received the Legislative Partner Award from the Arizona Business & Education Coalition.
“It was really a surprise and honor,” she says. “It was important to be recognized by a group of people who care not only about economic development and keeping the business community viable, and they also care about our children. It’s the best of both worlds.”
Susan Carlson, executive director of the organization, said, “Representative Thrasher approaches her work at the Legislature in a thoughtful, collaborative manner and we applaud her for that.”
Thrasher appreciated Carlson’s comments. “Being collaborative is my whole point,” Thrasher says. “Take time to listen and work together in a collaborative manner. That’s what I try to do.”
Thrasher, who serves on the House Education (K-12), House Public Institutions and Retirement and House Transportation committees, says education is her main focus, and she’s also concerned about transportation and water issues.
If salary was not an issue and she had to make a career choice, would it be teaching or lawmaking?
“I just completed 27 years of teaching, and at this point in my life I’d like to pick the Legislature,” Thrasher says. “I believe I can be more effective for the larger picture in this position. At my local school I advocate for public education and music. I’ve done that, and my legacy will carry on. But I want to carry that on to a bigger canvas and really make a difference. But being a teacher is the best thing ever.”