Shift Learning Focus:
Too much focus is placed on students passing standardized tests. This practice requires teachers to limit what and how they teach students. Standardized testing decreases the effectiveness of teachers, inhibits their creativity and causes undue stress. I believe shifting the focus of teachers away from standardized tests will prove beneficial to broader learning and set students up for greater achievement beyond high school years regardless of the path they choose.
Learning Loss:
The pandemic revealed the need for the education system to look beyond the here and now. As a whole, there has been a significant learning loss with students during the 2020-2021 school year. We need to not only determine the level of learning deficit among students and how to address these deficits, we also need to develop, solidify and consistently reevaluate plans for any future catastrophes that may arise. Included in these plans will be the pros and cons of long-term virtual learning.
Overcrowding/Understaffing:
Stafford is one of the fastest growing counties in the region. Several schools have already been identified as being over capacity for the upcoming school year. We cannot continue ignoring the negative effects of teacher-to-student ratios, irregular teachers in the classroom (resulting from mass departures due to pay/benefits) and endless redistricting.
Stronger Relationship:
The School Board needs to develop a stronger relationship with the county's Board of Supervisors. The school district’s budget must be fully funded. We must work together toward aligning our vision with one another so there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that we value students and teachers. Showing value means we are actually investing dollars in people, infrastructure and technology without undue haste and red-tape.
Student Safety (Law Enforcement Presence):
Recent high-profile events have placed a brighter spotlight on law enforcement officers. Many individuals and groups have called for defunding the police, which ultimately affects resource officers within the schools. While these defunding calls are loud, the growing level of violence across the Nation is certainly a decibel-level higher, at best. Wherever possible, I believe schools should be reflective of their community. If we are to maintain police officers in our community, we should maintain a minimum number of the “right” resource officers in our schools. While I support a thorough review of the mandated Memorandum of Understanding between Stafford County Public Schools and the Sheriff’s Office, I believe the safety of our students take priority over long-term controversial issues that unfortunately very few are in a rush to resolve. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Encourage More Parental Involvement:
Teachers cannot be solely responsible for educating our children. We have to develop more ways to increase parent engagement, long before issues arise that may consider problematic. Finding ways to communicate with parents and offering them an environment to be heard will prove beneficial to all involved (i.e., students and teachers).
Smart Spending:
Two years ago, the public learned of financial mismanagement by SCPS. I believe in spending on education, but I want to know that my tax dollars are being used for their intended purpose. If elected, I will work to demystify SCPS spending, promote cost-effective education, and fight back against waste. I will work with the Board of Supervisors to appropriately fund our schools.
Keep Education In the Schools:
In recent years, we've seen a move towards virtual and remote learning, with students taking classes from an instructor in a different part of the county or state. I think remote learning is detrimental to student engagement, and research shows that students learn better from a real, present teacher. Virtual learning is advertised as a cheaper alternative, but if it is at the cost of student learning, are we really saving money?
Transportation:
I have been knocking on doors and talking with parents, and there are quite a few concerns regarding school bus schedules, the length of bus rides and overcrowded buses. Let’s take a deep look into our transportation situation and see if the school district can improve this service. Students should not have to worry about how they get to and from school. Our children need to be able to focus more on their studies and not be distracted with school bus concerns
Too much focus is placed on students passing standardized tests. This practice requires teachers to limit what and how they teach students. Standardized testing decreases the effectiveness of teachers, inhibits their creativity and causes undue stress. I believe shifting the focus of teachers away from standardized tests will prove beneficial to broader learning and set students up for greater achievement beyond high school years regardless of the path they choose.
Learning Loss:
The pandemic revealed the need for the education system to look beyond the here and now. As a whole, there has been a significant learning loss with students during the 2020-2021 school year. We need to not only determine the level of learning deficit among students and how to address these deficits, we also need to develop, solidify and consistently reevaluate plans for any future catastrophes that may arise. Included in these plans will be the pros and cons of long-term virtual learning.
Overcrowding/Understaffing:
Stafford is one of the fastest growing counties in the region. Several schools have already been identified as being over capacity for the upcoming school year. We cannot continue ignoring the negative effects of teacher-to-student ratios, irregular teachers in the classroom (resulting from mass departures due to pay/benefits) and endless redistricting.
Stronger Relationship:
The School Board needs to develop a stronger relationship with the county's Board of Supervisors. The school district’s budget must be fully funded. We must work together toward aligning our vision with one another so there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that we value students and teachers. Showing value means we are actually investing dollars in people, infrastructure and technology without undue haste and red-tape.
Student Safety (Law Enforcement Presence):
Recent high-profile events have placed a brighter spotlight on law enforcement officers. Many individuals and groups have called for defunding the police, which ultimately affects resource officers within the schools. While these defunding calls are loud, the growing level of violence across the Nation is certainly a decibel-level higher, at best. Wherever possible, I believe schools should be reflective of their community. If we are to maintain police officers in our community, we should maintain a minimum number of the “right” resource officers in our schools. While I support a thorough review of the mandated Memorandum of Understanding between Stafford County Public Schools and the Sheriff’s Office, I believe the safety of our students take priority over long-term controversial issues that unfortunately very few are in a rush to resolve. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Encourage More Parental Involvement:
Teachers cannot be solely responsible for educating our children. We have to develop more ways to increase parent engagement, long before issues arise that may consider problematic. Finding ways to communicate with parents and offering them an environment to be heard will prove beneficial to all involved (i.e., students and teachers).
Smart Spending:
Two years ago, the public learned of financial mismanagement by SCPS. I believe in spending on education, but I want to know that my tax dollars are being used for their intended purpose. If elected, I will work to demystify SCPS spending, promote cost-effective education, and fight back against waste. I will work with the Board of Supervisors to appropriately fund our schools.
Keep Education In the Schools:
In recent years, we've seen a move towards virtual and remote learning, with students taking classes from an instructor in a different part of the county or state. I think remote learning is detrimental to student engagement, and research shows that students learn better from a real, present teacher. Virtual learning is advertised as a cheaper alternative, but if it is at the cost of student learning, are we really saving money?
Transportation:
I have been knocking on doors and talking with parents, and there are quite a few concerns regarding school bus schedules, the length of bus rides and overcrowded buses. Let’s take a deep look into our transportation situation and see if the school district can improve this service. Students should not have to worry about how they get to and from school. Our children need to be able to focus more on their studies and not be distracted with school bus concerns
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