After celebrating the passage of two monumental education bills this legislative session, Stand for Children Arizona welcomes John Fisher as its new executive director. Fisher comes to Stand AZ with many years of experience in the education field and has a demonstrated commitment to improving children’s lives through education.
After being an Arizona math and civics teacher and instructional leader for more than five years, Fisher joined Teach for America’s Arizona office, most recently serving as the interim executive director. Prior to becoming the interim executive director, he was managing director for public partnerships, where he managed relationships with district superintendents, the Arizona Department of Education, state legislators, and other stakeholders in the public sector.
As an undergraduate, Fisher attended Marquette University and received a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering. He then graduated from Arizona State University with masters of education in curriculum and instruction.
Also new to the Stand AZ team is Kelly McManus, the new policy director, and Maria Luisa Ramos, the new parent engagement manager. McManus is also a former teacher and joins Stand after serving as Teach for America’s public partnership manager.
Maria Luisa comes to Stand AZ after many years of service as the director of ASU’s American Dream Academy, which trains low-income parents to become education advocates for their children.
