My campaign will focus on the following areas: quality instruction for all students delivered in a variety of methods, fostering innovation in our schools, and open lines of communication between all stakeholders.
From being a teacher in Gainesville, FL and Somerville, MA I have gained a great deal of understanding of how a school functions. In my current work, I get to experience state and federal education policies and see how they translate into the classrooms.
I am proud to have chosen Somerville as my home and want to give back to my community while working to enrich it for future generations. As a School Committee Member, I will be able to do that and so much more.
Quality Instruction for all
I believe in equitable access to resources and services for all students in Somerville. I also believe an important part of achieving equity is providing a range of options to meet the needs of all our students. Not all students learn the same way or have the same interests. In order to keep our students engaged in the classroom, we need to meet their particular needs. I envision a diverse variety of middle grades options including arts integration programs, dual language programs, blending learning options, project based learning curriculum and more. All of these improvements are aimed at keeping our students in Somerville Public schools through high school graduation and leading them to a successful future.
Fostering Innovation
In order to achieve my vision of differentiated equity mentioned above, we need to create an environment that fosters innovation in the classroom, school, and district level. Giving teachers the knowledge and resources to reach their students in new and innovative ways should be a priority. Teachers that are willing to go above and beyond should be supported and recognized.
One part of fostering innovation focuses on the use of technology in our schools. In order to prepare our students for the future, we need to do more then give them the latest and greatest technology. We need our students and teachers to be creators of digital resources, not just consumers.
Transparent communication
In order to work towards these goals the final piece of the puzzle is open communication between all stakeholders. As a member of the School Committee, I will work to bring all voices to the table including teachers, students, parents, administrators, and community members. I will make sure that the decisions the committee makes are made with the best interests of the students as our number one priority.