Academic Performance and Curriculum Standards

I am committed to advancing our district’s academic performance and curriculum standards to ensure every student achieves their full potential. My approach focuses on high expectations, targeted support, and a balanced, innovative curriculum that prepares our students for future success. Here are my key positions:

High Expectations: I advocate for setting higher academic standards to challenge our students and prepare them for success in college and their careers. By maintaining rigorous expectations, we can ensure that every student is pushed to reach their full potential and is well-equipped for the future.

Targeted Interventions: I am committed to providing additional resources and support for struggling students to help them meet academic benchmarks. This includes expanding access to tutoring, mentoring, and after-school programs to give every student the help they need to succeed.

Teacher Training: I believe in investing in professional development opportunities for our educators to enhance their instructional practices and stay up-to-date with the latest educational research. Supporting our teachers through ongoing training will lead to improved classroom outcomes and better educational experiences for our students.

Counseling and Mental Health Services: I will work to increase the availability of counseling and mental health services to address barriers to learning and support students' overall well-being. Ensuring that mental health resources are accessible will help students thrive both academically and personally.

Rigorous and Relevant Curriculum: I am dedicated to ensuring that our curriculum is both rigorous and relevant, focusing on college and career readiness. By emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving, and technological literacy, we can prepare our students for the demands of the modern workforce and higher education.

STEM and STEAM Programs: I support the promotion of science, technology, engineering, (arts), and mathematics programs to prepare students for future job markets. Investing in these programs will help equip our students with the skills needed for success in an increasingly tech-driven world.

Community Input: I believe in involving parents, teachers, and community members in curriculum decisions to ensure that our educational programs meet local needs and reflect our community’s values. A collaborative approach will lead to more effective and responsive educational policies.

Flexible Approaches: I support allowing schools the flexibility to innovate and tailor their curricula to the needs of their students. By granting schools the autonomy to adapt and experiment, we can foster an environment where creative and effective teaching methods can flourish.

Back-to-Basics: I emphasize the importance of traditional academic subjects like reading, writing, and arithmetic, prioritizing core knowledge as the foundation for all future learning. A strong grasp of these basics is essential for students’ long-term academic success.

Balanced Perspectives: I am committed to providing balanced perspectives on historical and contemporary issues in our curriculum. This approach will encourage critical thinking, informed citizenship, and a well-rounded understanding of the world.

Parental Involvement: I believe in encouraging strong parental involvement in educational decisions and school activities. Engaged parents are crucial for student success, and I will advocate for policies that support and facilitate their participation.

By focusing on these priorities, I am committed to creating a school district where high standards, effective support systems, and a balanced curriculum lead to academic excellence and prepare our students for a successful future.