Why are you running for school board?
I’m running for school board because it’s time to get back to common sense and basics in our schools. I’m running for my daughters, our students, my friends who are teachers and our community.
How will you use your experiences and background to approach your role as a member of the school board?
My background is unique in our district. I grew up in Oregon and Canada, moved to NYC where I was an actress and then met my husband and moved to Delaware and became a stay at home wife and mom. I know that there are many ways to be successful and to make important contributions to the community using one’s own specific gifts and talents. Fresh perspectives are desperately needed in our area. I also have a daughter with Down syndrome and I know from life with her that there is not a one size fits all solution to problems.
Which do you believe is more important for achieving higher academic achievement: greater funding or better reforms? Briefly explain.
Absolutely better reforms. We spend so much money and we are getting a very poor return on that investment. Money will not change the fact that the climate in our schools is creating major distractions for our students and until those problems are addressed and we return to proven methods of learning we will not see gains in academics.
Name 1 or 2 changes or policies you will support that will raise the academic achievement of all students in your district.
Parents will be required to sign into their children’s Schoology accounts to promote accountability across the board. With the rise of using only chromebooks for homework as well as classroom work there has become a disconnect between the students, parents and teachers as to what the lessons are and what is required. I think it would be interesting to explore a Montessori multi level classroom model in elementary schools as well.
What changes should be made at schools to make the classroom a more effective environment for maximizing learning and instruction (teaching)?
It’s very simple. Discipline needs to make a come back. Disruptive children need to be taken out of the classroom and not returned in that same period. Rules need to be enforced and consequences for poor and disruptive behavior need to be consistent.
Many educators say that not all parents are engaged enough with their children's education.
How can the school board create policies that help forge a closer relationship and involvement among parents, their children and educators?
I believe that we need to require parents to be signed into their children’s Schoology accounts as a start. We need to see the actual lessons and what is being asked if the students on a daily basis. We need to keep offering community engagement nights, parent nights and programs that encourage families to attend. We need to meet the people where they are. I’m the PTO president at my daughter’s school. When we only held meeting in person we had an average of six attendees. When we opened it up in Zoom we had 30.
Recent federal executive orders for K-12 schools prohibit schools from promoting gender and radical ideologies. Another order prohibits boys from girls' sports and restrooms. Schools that don't comply could risk federal funds.
How do you believe the school board should respond to these orders?
We need to follow the orders.