Experience
Experience is important in a leader because it provides the foundation for sound decision-making, credibility, and effective guidance. It can add depth and wisdom to a leader which leads to results. Every board member brings their unique experiences to the table and through a variety of people this can build diverse and extraordinary educational opportunities.
I have distinctive experiences that have not been represented on any Kent school board in recent history. I was a paraeducator (para) in the district for 16 years. I spent 7 ½ years working in the School Adjustment (SA) program at the middle and high school levels. This program is designed to support a student’s development of social/emotional skills, function, and understanding. I was a 1:1 para in SA for 2 years and then I was a para for a school SA program as a whole for 5 ½ more years. I would attend general education classes with these students, assist them with their assignments, help modify assignments based on their IEPs, and try to be an encouraging and supportive adult in their lives.
I spent another 7 ½ years working as an elementary library para. I got to interact with every student in the building and was an integral part of making the library a fun and interesting place to be. I created games for students to earn extra book checkouts and interesting and informative bulletin board displays. I organized and supervised library helpers in this position as well as the school crossing guard program. While working at that school I was also an active PTA member and hosted two Bingo nights a year.
I book-ended my time in the district as a para substitute. I was in a wide variety of buildings and programs throughout the district. I have seen some amazing and creative educators doing great things with students. The staff that work in these programs are great at making their students feel seen and heard. I have also seen firsthand some of the places where the district is falling short, specifically in Special Education. I’ve seen inadequate facilities and equipment for these programs and a lack of training for substitutes. Our staff makes do with what they are given or provide themselves, but they deserve our best.
Finally, I have worked in elementary, middle, and high school buildings. This has given me a broad range of experiences in education programs as well as grade levels which will help me make decisions that are in the best interests of all Kent School District students.
I will use my experiences to guide me as a board member. I will fight for more support in special education. I will also seek the input of teachers, para educators, and other staff who are working in buildings every day – oftentimes shorthanded and/or with overwhelming workloads. They work with our students every day, so they have valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the district. I am eager to collaborate with others to generate high-quality solutions to best meet the needs of every student in the Kent School District.