A Candidate that Listens
Being a school board member should be about listening, and I want to listen to every voice in the district and a I want to be a voice for you on the Orono School Board.
A voice for Students
The last few years have been tough on students, families, and teachers. From transitioning between different learning modes to managing ever-changing health policies, students have experienced unprecedented distractions in their learning and damages to their mental health.
What we need now more than ever is to focus on our students. Let’s get back to the basics with an emphasis on academics and make up for setbacks from the past few years, and let’s work to improve their overall mental health.
A voice for Families
Like many other families in Orono, we moved here for the great schools. Orono has a reputation for having amazing educators and providing an excellent education. Covid restrictions have prevented families from volunteering, visiting and being actively involved in our schools. Studies show that kids do better academically and socially in schools with active community and family involvement. We need to allow families back into our schools so we can strengthen the relationships between families and educators, and support each other in helping students learn.
A voice for the Community
A school community encompasses all the incredible people that work everyday to teach and support students. Just like our students – our teachers, administrators, and school staff have struggled during these last few years. They’ve re-imagined how to do school online, they’ve kept students learning when the world seemed to stop, and they’ve worked hard to foster relationships with students online and in returning to the classroom. Our school staff showed up everyday for students; now, it's our turn to show up for them. Let's take time to listen to our educators and ask them what they need. Let’s give teachers a chance to tell us what’s happening in the classroom. We need to support the work they continue to do day in and day out.
Community also refers to the people who live in the school district and may not have children that attend school. As tax payers, they are also an important part of what makes our schools successful. Our community members are the support system for our schools. Not only are they tax payers but many volunteer time in our classrooms, provide donations, and care about the success of our students and staff. Strong communities help build strong schools.
My Priorities
- Academic Excellence
- Student Mental Health
- Listening to Parents & Teachers
- Equality in Education
- Board Transparency