Candidate Q&A

Please explain why you are running and describe the personal and professional experiences/skills that you possess that make you uniquely qualified to serve on the Board of Education.

I am running because, as a parent, resident, and experienced educator, I am passionate about improving our schools for all students. Since moving to Jamesburg in 2015, my connection with the community has deepened. My daughter attends JFK Elementary, and through her experiences, I’ve gained valuable insights into the strengths and needs of our schools. Professionally, I bring over 20 years of experience as an educator in public schools and universities, where I focus on preparing current and future teachers. This blend of personal and professional experience uniquely enables me to serve on the board and contribute to creating an inclusive and effective learning environment in Jamesburg Schools.

 

 

What are your priorities for your term on the Board of Education?

My priorities as an Elected Board Member will be focused on delivering the best educational outcomes for our students through active community participation, upholding the highest level of integrity, and providing meaningful learning opportunities for our students. 

 

Community: I firmly believe that the success of our school systems largely depends on the active involvement of our community. I believe that all voices must be heard and valued in decisions that affect our school system. I am committed to expanding opportunities for our community participation in decision-making, and creating accessible channels for feedback, and ensuring communication is clear and transparent. 

 

Accountability: I am committed to holding myself, the Board and district leadership accountable for delivering successful educational outcomes for our students. This means ensuring full transparency behind our initiatives, decisions, policies, and goals. I am committed to leading with integrity, making fact based and data backed decisions that reflect community values, and creating inclusive environments to ensure our students are ready to meet the challenges of today and opportunities of tomorrow. 

 

Growth: I am committed to expanding both academic programs and extracurricular opportunities that will help students grow. Our schools need to provide high quality instruction and comprehensive support for the evolving needs of students in a rapidly changing world.

 

 

What components of the school budget should be protected and perhaps increased, and what components do you think could be reduced? Please explain your answer and your strategies to accomplish this.

 

I believe the focus should be on protecting programs that directly impact students’ learning, while finding ways to reduce costs that do not affect the classroom experience. Well-trained teachers are key to student success and growth. Hence, I would support investing in teacher training and development that ensures the use of evidence-based practices and staying up-to-date with the best instructional strategies. Programs providing academic and social-emotional support need to be protected or even increased, as they are essential for helping all students feel supported and equipped to succeed. In addition, I would like to prioritize expanding extracurricular activities such as clubs, music, arts, and sports, as these programs foster student growth beyond the classroom in building fundamental life skills and assist with shaping the future of our community. Where possible, I would seek efficiencies in administrative costs, recommending reductions without affecting the quality of student services. My approach would involve reviewing data on spending and its impact, ensuring resources are directed toward areas that deliver the most significant benefits for students and the community.

 

 

When groups of parents disagree about Board of Education policies, please state what steps you would take (beyond listening to both sides) to resolve the issue.

When parents disagree over Board of Education policies, I would prioritize open communication and transparency to ensure everyone is heard. This would involve organizing community forums, conducting surveys, and holding meetings. It's essential to clearly explain the reasoning behind decisions while also using data and evidence to inform our choices. My goal would be to engage all parties involved in respectful dialogue and collaboratively explore alternatives. I am committed to challenging the status-quo to advocate for the best overall interests of students, school, and community.

 

 

What issues, if any, do you believe your district needs to address in its academic program and offerings? What changes would you recommend?

I believe our school ecosystem needs to strengthen our approach to a differentiated instruction in order to better support students with diverse learning needs. This means increasing resources for academic support and enrichment opportunities, as well as expanding programs for students in special education and multilingual learners. In addition, I recommend implementing robust and data-driven strategies to assess student progress regularly. This way, interventions can be tailored based on what works best for each student, ensuring that all children receive the support they need to succeed. I am committed to creating an inclusive and effective learning environment for all students.