Why do I want you to elect me to the Conestoga School Board?
I love Conestoga – we’re doing so many things right, and I also believe we have room to grow.
Prepare Students for the Future
“Conestoga inspires and prepares students for life” is the mission of Conestoga public schools. The way I see it:
- Life happens beyond the boundaries of the communities that Conestoga serves.
- Schools should be a place to develop academic and intellectual curiosity.
- Whether a graduate stays local or not, it is vital that they are ready for anything in our diverse and wonderful world.
The time I spent as an active member of the PTO and chairing the book fair helped me to develop a deep appreciation for Conestoga and what our district offers students.
I am committed to using the problem solving skills I have gained as a legal professional and community volunteer to support our district, and create more opportunities and partnerships that help our students transition smoothly and successfully from high school to adulthood.
Uplift Students
Children thrive when those around them are responsive to their needs. This includes a school district that:
- Fosters academic engagement, inclusiveness, and empathy.
- Ensures that students feel safe and accepted.
- Children of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities deserve safety and support.
Schools often provide a safety net that some students need. I see this in the juvenile cases that I work with every day. Some kids don’t have the support they need at home.
Schools can’t be substitutes for parents, but sometimes they provide the most stable environment, meals, and other resources some students will have during their childhood. I believe we need to have our students’ backs, through the worst and the best of times.
Support & Trust Educators
Investing in our teachers and staff is vital to the success of the district and the students graduating from it. At Conestoga, I believe we must:
- Not only recruit, but retain our talented teachers, especially those who have been with the district for several years and hold a master’s level or higher education.
- Provide a safe environment – both physically and psychologically – for our teachers.
- Trust and advocate for our support staff, administrators, and educators.
From the classroom to the stage, gymnasium, track, soccer, and football fields, and beyond, our support staff, teachers, and administrators are there every step of the way for students. Let’s make sure they know they are valued for all that they do.
I want to ensure that our educators are empowered to do what they came here to do – teach. We need to restore trust in our amazing teachers!
Get Families Involved
We’ve all heard the proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and the school is an integral part of that village. Everyone has a role to play. Therefore:
- Growing our volunteer base among parents and caregivers is important if the myriad programs and events Conestoga offers are going to continue to thrive.
- Volunteerism is empowering! It gives us the chance to work with people we may otherwise never get to know and a sense of fulfillment.
- Working together toward common goals builds bonds and community.
Educating our children is a partnership between all involved – not just the teachers and students, but the families. It’s not always easy to find the time or energy to participate, but I think we can find more avenues to increase collaboration with caregivers, parents, and our community.
I want to find new ways to engage families in hands-on and meaningful work that improves the Conestoga experience for everyone.
School Board Access and Transparency
I know it’s not all sunshine and rainbows all the time. Everyone has unique experiences and it’s important to recognize and validate that.
- Students need varied approaches to learning and social opportunities.
- Bullying is an ongoing concern. (I have a child with a neurodivergent diagnosis that they don’t feel comfortable telling their friends about because of how other students use the word in a derogatory manner when speaking about others)
- Families and educators need to feel comfortable bringing concerns to the school board.
To further this goal, I want to see the Board of Education’s monthly meetings live-streamed and posted on the District’s website. I believe this would lead to an increase in community engagement and families would appreciate the transparency.
I am committed to cooperation, communication, and collaboration with board members, administration, staff, educators, students, and families.
