Together For 196
Equitable Education
District 196 has a current goal of increasing the percentage of licensed teachers of color from 3% to 6% by the 2022-2023 academic year. I will advocate for continued growth in our recruitment, hiring, and support of teachers and staff of color in order to more accurately reflect the student population. I will continue to support the District 196 2020-23 Achievement and Integration Plan and uplift the voices and feedback of the educators, staff, and administrators who are implementing these strategies, in the interest of effectively facing and addressing roadblocks.
It is incredibly important to allow for transparent and courageous conversations around race in our classrooms and with the larger community. It is important that we provide our educators and other staff members with the appropriate training and tools to have culturally responsive schools.
Strengthening Community
We are the fourth-largest district in Minnesota, and our community spans several cities. It is important that students feel prepared for success in any of their post-graduation plans. College is not the only option that students will have! We have plenty of business owners, veterans, and people in all different occupations that could work one-on-one with our students to help them decide what next steps they are excited to take, whether through mentorships, shadowing opportunities, or even internships. This could build on current programs/courses that we offer students, such as the Mentor Program, to provide a larger variety of opportunities. I look forward to becoming more engaged across our entire district and working with all stakeholders to build new, creative ways to connect.
As a new board member, I would dedicate time weekly to meet with different groups of educators, students, and parents to make sure that voices are being heard and changing needs are being addressed. I’m also excited about having a student advisory board in order to work with current students who have firsthand classroom experience.
Safety and Wellness
COVID-19 has upended everyone’s lives since spring 2020, and has presented particular challenges to students and their families, as well as educators. District 196 has a plan in place that follows state guidelines around how and when to re-open. As a school board member, I would strive to thoughtfully consider guidance from health experts while also prioritizing what’s best for students. For example, many of our special education students simply cannot receive the services and support they need via distance learning, so it’s vital that they be able to learn in person when it’s safe to do so. Hopefully, going forward, more widespread vaccinations will help allow a return to in-person learning for all students who are comfortable doing so.
This past year has brought the importance of mental health to the forefront of every aspect of life. Prior to the pandemic and racial uprisings, a need already existed for more mental health professionals in our educational spaces. As we continue in our work to support all students, it’s important to ensure the availability of trauma-informed mental health professionals for all District 196 students, families, and educators. The school board and school administrations need to focus on data and student/parent feedback to make certain that we are providing meaningful and lasting support.