Flagler County School Board

I believe, and have seen firsthand as a former educator, that when parents are involved in their child’s education, that child is successful. I want parents and families to be involved in their child’s education. Parents have the right to know what is going on in their child’s classroom and school and what they are learning. I will invite and welcome parents and families in reviewing any new or modified curricula within our district, and I will also engage with my fellow Board members on how we can increase parental involvement and awareness of the happenings within our schools. I would also look for ways to celebrate the professionalism and knowledge that our educators possess and how appreciative we are of their hard work and dedication in teaching our students important topics in accurate and objective ways and from multiple perspectives and lenses.

How would you balance new state laws and guidelines restricting how history, gender identity and civics can be taught in public school classrooms with the need to educate children in a complex 21st Century society?

No parent wants their child to feel “anguish, guilt” or other negative feelings while learning, but there are certain historic facts that we must know so we do not make the same mistakes. That doesn’t mean that we should make a 9-year-old feel guilty for things outside of their control, but what it does mean is that our students need to be informed, as informed citizens are the backbone of democracy. Students should not and will not feel personal guilt if they understand the context of historical events. If teachers teach these important historical events in objective and accurate ways, then students are more likely to internalize them in ways that are meaningful and push society towards a more just future. To ensure that this happens, I will advocate for increased opportunities for teachers to continue to develop professionally in their efforts to teach accurate history in a meaningful and objective way that includes important and relevant perspectives.

With regards to gender identity and HB 1557, let me start by saying that I do condone the teaching of sex of any kind to k-3 students. The bill does not define “instruction” “sexual orientation,” “gender identity” “appropriate” or “third parties.” If a teacher who happens to be gay mentions her wedding with her wife, does that count as “instructing” students “on sexual orientation”? What if a first grader with two dads draws a family portrait and shares it with her peers, does that constitute a “third party” providing the “instruction”? We need clarification from the state and/or Dept. of Education because it is not acceptable for teachers and families to have to hide their identity. There is a difference between sharing a story from your life, whether you are an employee or a student, clearly these do not qualify as instruction and are not age-inappropriate for k-3 students.

When I started teaching at Old Kings Elementary in November of 2018, I was the 3rd teacher that my students had. I stayed till the end of the school year and gave them the consistency they needed, but it is still an issue that needs to be addressed.

More efforts to identify the variety of causes of teacher shortages need to be addressed–whether through more frequent confidential surveys or trusted conversations with established leadership chains. If staff know that the district is working towards a goal of supporting them, boosting morale, and reducing turnover, then they are more likely to offer input and solutions, and therefore, the students and families benefit from having consistent and happy teachers.

I was a teacher here in Flagler for 9 years and I grew up attending Flagler Schools. I am a born-and-raised candidate that has deep roots and a strong passion for improving our schools. I know many of the staff members and what they’ve experienced during these difficult years, and I have three kids that attend Flagler Schools, so I want to improve schools for them, in addition to every other student in Flagler.

My opponents are dedicated to continuing the divide between families with differing viewpoints. I am dedicated to unifying different groups under the common goal of creating a safe learning environment for all students so students can graduate as happy and successful citizens.

I would hope to be remembered for beating the state average in passing rates, raising the achievement level of student groups that have historically underperformed, and reaching an “A” grade rating as a district. One way to achieve this goal would be to increase the school culture between students, families, and staff. Students of all ages need consistency from their teachers to reach their maximum potential. Currently, our district is experiencing high turnover and our students are paying for that. Four years from now, I hope we can look back and say that my experience as a Flagler educator provided essential and meaningful insight to the Board and resulted in a significant reduction in staff turnover and a significant increase in a school culture that directly impacted student achievement.