Why are you running for the Board?
- Education is the heart of our society. Through education, we learn how to think, how to relate to others, and how to contribute to the greater good. The Board of Education must provide a 21st century education as the world changes.
- I received a great public education in Greenbrier County, and I want to do all I can to ensure excellent educations for future generations of students throughout the whole county. As a pastor and a community volunteer, I've built relationships with our students, and they are fine young women and men who deserve our very best.
- We learn by asking questions. I want to know: How can we cultivate excellence at every level in schools--students, administrators, teachers, and extracurricular activities? Where is our system strong? Where is it weak? How do we empower the student who is struggling to embrace education as their ticket to success? What can we do to affirm those who thrive in the classroom?
How can I help?
- Voting Day is May 8. Mark your calendars, and take a friend to the polls!
- Are you able to donate to our campaign? Can you post a yard sign? Call your friends to spread the message? We need your help!
- Volunteer in your local school. Roll up your sleeves and make a difference in the life of a student. If you need help making arrangements, I will help. Call me!
Who will you listen to if elected to office?
Everyone--equally! Education is a community effort. As a Board member, I would welcome
dialogue with all community members who are interested in improving education. I would
listen to everyone; one person's voice would never be more important than another's.
Everyone--equally! Education is a community effort. As a Board member, I would welcome
dialogue with all community members who are interested in improving education. I would
listen to everyone; one person's voice would never be more important than another's.
Are our athletics programs on the right track?
Athletics are an important part of a balanced educational system, and we need to re-think how they are organized in our communities. At the primary school level, many students are unable to play sports as they do not have the money to pay fees or the means to travel. Primary schools should work with the communities who do run primary school athletics programs to provide transportation and accessibility. At the secondary school level, the number of students playing for schools has decreased due to consolidation and the professionalization of athletics. Secondary schools should run their own intramural programs much like colleges to provide all students the opportunity to further their education in athletics. Taking these steps would increase accessibility and place the focus of athletics on their educational value.
How important are the arts to our student's education?
Very! Greenbrier County is blessed with tremendous cultural opportunities for a small
community. They do not, however, come cheap or without effort. Thanks to the good
work of the folks at Carnegie Hall and the Greenbrier Valley Theatre, for example,
and the generosity of our arts community, our students are able to expand their cultural
horizons and learn experientially through drama, music, and dance. The Board of
Education currently has a strong relationship with the arts community, and we must keep
it that way.
community. They do not, however, come cheap or without effort. Thanks to the good
work of the folks at Carnegie Hall and the Greenbrier Valley Theatre, for example,
and the generosity of our arts community, our students are able to expand their cultural
horizons and learn experientially through drama, music, and dance. The Board of
Education currently has a strong relationship with the arts community, and we must keep
it that way.
The Board faces contentious issues. How will you handle them?
As a Minister, I am frequently asked to assist in conflict mediation. The key to
wading through controversy is honest communication. You can expect me to maintain
calm, to listen, to seek the truth, and to work towards community-based action.
I believe in transparency. The free flow of information, especially in today's world, is in
everyone's best interest. If the Board were to adopt a more transparent style of doing
business (posting meeting agendas online in advance of meetings, holding community
forums on major issues, etc.), then the entire community would benefit. My door would
always be open!
Can the Board really make a difference?
As a Minister, I am frequently asked to assist in conflict mediation. The key to
wading through controversy is honest communication. You can expect me to maintain
calm, to listen, to seek the truth, and to work towards community-based action.
I believe in transparency. The free flow of information, especially in today's world, is in
everyone's best interest. If the Board were to adopt a more transparent style of doing
business (posting meeting agendas online in advance of meetings, holding community
forums on major issues, etc.), then the entire community would benefit. My door would
always be open!
Can the Board really make a difference?
The Board’s hands are tied in certain respects, because it is a connectional body, affected by federal and state laws. “What” we do is often mandated. But that cannot and should not be a crutch for inaction. “How” we do education is in our hands. Our attitudes, our standards, and our actions affect our students tremendously.
The greatest impact comes when we work together as a community—government, businesses, schools, individuals, and non-profits—to provide our students a climate and a culture where learning is priority number one.
The greatest impact comes when we work together as a community—government, businesses, schools, individuals, and non-profits—to provide our students a climate and a culture where learning is priority number one.
What sort of leadership will you provide on the Board?
Leadership requires 1) an honest assessment of the present and 2) a hopeful vision for the future. In order to do that, you must ask the tough questions and be willing to risk making difficult decisions. Because I care about our students now and in years to come, you can expect me to provide steady leadership.
Aren’t you a little young?
I am 30 years old, and I see that as a good thing. It’s time for a new generation of leaders to step up to the plate and take responsibility for the future. Plus, I’m a product of this educational system. I am loyal to our system and want to build upon the good work of fine people who have poured their lives into making this a great school system.
You're a minister and you're running for office?
The prophet Amos in the Old Testament writes, "Let justice flow down like water." People of
faith seek justice in this world. Therefore, we must setup the irrigation system; we must
work to make it possible in our communities. Moreover, a long tradition of public service
exists in the Presbyterian Church (USA), to which I belong. Countless Presbyterian
ministers have served on school boards and in positions of public trust because they
desire to serve their community. I want to serve my community by working on the
irrigation system for educational justice in Greenbrier County.
I'm a parent with kids in the school system. How can I help?
Get involved--talk to Board members, come to meetings, tell your story. We are all in this
together, and we must talk to one another if we're going to serve our children. Know that my
door will always be open to you!
How can we better handle bullying in the schools?
The prophet Amos in the Old Testament writes, "Let justice flow down like water." People of
faith seek justice in this world. Therefore, we must setup the irrigation system; we must
work to make it possible in our communities. Moreover, a long tradition of public service
exists in the Presbyterian Church (USA), to which I belong. Countless Presbyterian
ministers have served on school boards and in positions of public trust because they
desire to serve their community. I want to serve my community by working on the
irrigation system for educational justice in Greenbrier County.
I'm a parent with kids in the school system. How can I help?
Get involved--talk to Board members, come to meetings, tell your story. We are all in this
together, and we must talk to one another if we're going to serve our children. Know that my
door will always be open to you!
How can we better handle bullying in the schools?
Bullying is a major problem. Greenbrier County has a bullying policy in place, which is an important first step. However, if we do not take the next step and enforce that policy fairly and uniformly, then bullying will continue. For the sake of bullies and those being bullied, we must focus on enforcement.
Doesn’t Greenbrier County have good schools already?
Absolutely! We have some of the finest schools in the state, thanks to the hard work of past generations of teachers, students, staff, and administrators. Our student to teacher ratio is wonderful at 14/1. I pledge to work to not only maintain our good schools but to set a new standard for great schools.
Can the Board provide better education without continuing to increase costs?
First, no investment in our community's future is more important than education. If we want
our students to be educated and our community to attract businesses, we must continually
make investments in education. This county has been supportive in the past, and I am
confident that generosity will continue.
Second, the cost per student of public education must not be forgotten. In West Virginia,
we spend about $10,800 per student annually. That ranks us below the national average. In
Greenbrier County, we spend about $9,200 per student. So while we could and should
employ creative new ways of spending and stretching our education dollars, it is a
misconception that we are spending too much on our students.
Third, if we work together as a community we can enhance our student's educations in
cost-effective ways. For example, Carnegie Hall provides arts-engagement education
through programs paid for almosts entirely through grants. Also, the Happy Kids
program engages local churches and civic groups allowing them to pay for education-
related costs our students on the margins cannot afford on their own.
How useful are standardized tests?
Standardized tests are very useful for determining achievers and underachievers. Our
students in Greenbrier County do better than the state average on standardized tests,
and that is an affirmation of our system. However, I am just as concerned about those
students who underachieve on the tests. We should use test results, especially at the
elementary level, to identify those students who struggle to learn and begin working to
find educational strategies that match their needs.
Is our system "top-heavy" in terms of a balance between teachers and administrators?
Administrators are paid significantly more than teachers, so it is no wonder that some of
our best teachers migrate to administration. Having high-quality techers in the classroom
must be our top priority. A recent audit commissioned by the Governor does recommend
fewer administrators so that funds can be diverted into paying our teachers more. The
devil is certainly in the details, as the old saying goes, but I do think we can find sensible
solutions.
How do you feel about using more technology in the classroom?
Imagine students having all of their textbooks on a single iPad. That would save time,
money, and wear/tear on their backs! This is but one small example of how using
technology in the classroom can be transformative.
The jobs of the future employ modern technology. The more familiar our students are with
that technology, the more successful their careers will be. I watched a classroom of fifth-
graders shoot, edit, and produce a video of a mock trial in a local courtroom. It allowed
them to learn in an interactive and engaging way.
Do you support additional vocational training?
Yes, I do. The current Board has done a fine job of implementing wildly successful vocational
training programs in our high schools. Further expansion will only help that block of our
student population who plan to enter technical training and vocational careers upon
graduation. Many modern jobs require two-year technical degrees as opposed to four-year
college degrees, and we must be ready to give our students the best possible chance to
succeed.
students in Greenbrier County do better than the state average on standardized tests,
and that is an affirmation of our system. However, I am just as concerned about those
students who underachieve on the tests. We should use test results, especially at the
elementary level, to identify those students who struggle to learn and begin working to
find educational strategies that match their needs.
Is our system "top-heavy" in terms of a balance between teachers and administrators?
Administrators are paid significantly more than teachers, so it is no wonder that some of
our best teachers migrate to administration. Having high-quality techers in the classroom
must be our top priority. A recent audit commissioned by the Governor does recommend
fewer administrators so that funds can be diverted into paying our teachers more. The
devil is certainly in the details, as the old saying goes, but I do think we can find sensible
solutions.
How do you feel about using more technology in the classroom?
Imagine students having all of their textbooks on a single iPad. That would save time,
money, and wear/tear on their backs! This is but one small example of how using
technology in the classroom can be transformative.
The jobs of the future employ modern technology. The more familiar our students are with
that technology, the more successful their careers will be. I watched a classroom of fifth-
graders shoot, edit, and produce a video of a mock trial in a local courtroom. It allowed
them to learn in an interactive and engaging way.
Do you support additional vocational training?
Yes, I do. The current Board has done a fine job of implementing wildly successful vocational
training programs in our high schools. Further expansion will only help that block of our
student population who plan to enter technical training and vocational careers upon
graduation. Many modern jobs require two-year technical degrees as opposed to four-year
college degrees, and we must be ready to give our students the best possible chance to
succeed.
No comments:
Post a Comment