opinion

Diane Douglas: tell her nicely

If you really care about education, go talk to Diane Douglas. Be polite. Be respectful. Be convincing.

But be there.

The superintendent of public instruction is launching a "We Are Listening" tour in friendly country: Kingman, Arizona. Senate Education Committee chair – and fellow Common Core opponent -- Kelli Ward will show her around a very conservative part of the state.

What she hears there will likely reinforce her belief that the people of Arizona see the state's academic standards as an evil plot foisted upon us as part of a nefarious federal government scheme. Blah. Blah.

That's a viewpoint with which Douglas is familiar. She ran on it and won in a race that was tighter than most.

She needs to hear the other side. Offer her something besides another cup of tea.

Douglas needs to hear from people who want to maintain Common Core standards that already have been successfully integrated into the curriculum. She needs to hear from people across the political spectrum -- not just those who agree with her. She needs hear from people who support and value public education.

She needs polite instruction in how she can become a powerful advocate for education.

I know. I know. That's not how many people see her. A recall effort was launched against Douglas as soon as she was sworn in.

That might be viscerally satisfying. But she's got the job.

It would be more productive to try to help her grow into a job that many people -- including some fellow Republicans -- didn't want her to have.

If she only sees hostility and "Impeach Douglas" signs from those who disagree with her, then it will be very easy for her to ignore those folks.

Those who disagree with her need to make it impossible for her to dismiss them.

They need to present their case in a way that can't be dismissed.

They need to approach her as one caring adult to another.

I know. I know. That's not how we do politics.

But the respectful approach might get results. Being petulant won't.

Douglas' listening tour begins in friendly country. But it includes the entire state.

It offers a chance to let this elected official know how people think.

So be there. Be police. Be an eloquent spokesperson.

According to a press release from Douglas' office, here is the list of the stops on her 2015 "We Are Listening" Tour:

5-7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 23 at Mohave County Administrative Building, Kingman.

9-11:30 a.m., Saturday, April 25 at Mohave Community College, Lake Havasu City.

5-7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 30 at Arizona Western College, Yuma.

9-11:30 a.m., Saturday, May 2 at Glendale High School, Glendale.

5-7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 7 at Coronado High School, Scottsdale.

9-11:30 a.m., Saturday, May 9 at Chandler High School Center for the Arts, Chandler.

5-7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 28 at Pima Community College Center for the Arts, Tucson.

9-11:30 a.m.,Saturday, May 30 at Buena Performing Arts Center, Sierra Vista.

5-7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 4 at Gila Community College, Globe.

9-11:30 a.m.,Saturday, June 6 at Casa Grande High School, Casa Grande.

5-7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 11 at Prescott High School, Prescott.

9-11:30 a.m.,Saturday, June 13 at (Location to be determined) Flagstaff.

5-7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 18 at Navajo Nation Council Chambers, Window Rock.

9-11:30 a.m.,Saturday, June 20 at Round Valley Dome, Springerville.