What do you see as the biggest challenge currently facing DCPS?
The unfunded and underfunded state mandates approved by our legislators. The state is requiring that school districts implement measures such as the class size amendment without providing money for the DCPS neither to hire the additional teachers nor to pay for added resources to fulfill the mandate. Many people do not realize that the State only provides funding for four (4) hours a day for our K-3 students, yet this group of students are in class 6.5 hours a day.
Why did you decide to run for the office of School Board, and how has your background prepared you for being a School Board member?
I became a candidate to positively impact the educational lives of the students in my neighborhood and my city. Having taught in a challenged school, I know that a low school grade that’s based on the students’ performance on one test does not reflect the intellectual ability of the students who attend that school; therefore, I want to be a part of the team to help change that perception. A positive change of direction can only happen through education, and as a policymaker, I can help to provide the policies to address the needed changes for our students sake and for the sake of our city. My experience as a teacher, school-based reading coach, district literacy coach, administrator, entrepreneur, and a manager in the corporate world has provided me with a diverse lens from which to see how to merge the educational aspect with the business aspect effectively. In addition, having worked in various roles within the school district has made possible for me to know some specific areas of weaknesses and strengths; therefore my learning curve has been greatly reduced.
What are some of the goals you hope to accomplish during your tenure on the Board and why are they important to you?
To provide a quality education to every child in every class in every school is my overarching goal. Inclusive within that goal is to 1) staff all schools with qualified and caring principals, teachers and staff, 2) increase the reading ability of our students by ensuring that students are reading on grade level in the primary grades (and beyond), 3) decrease the achievement gap between our student populations by ensuring that additional support services and resources are provided to those students who need them, 4) establish feeder patterns which ensure that all students are given an academic success path to graduation, 5) to increase the graduation rate of students by ensuring that they receive the support, interventions, and guidance needed along the way, and 6) to actively engage and involve parents, business partners, and community stakeholders in the process of education via the PTA, SAC, and community meetings.
Is there any one particular area you will be focusing on during your term?
The students who have received Certificates of Attendance, I believe should be addressed immediately. These students who are “high school graduates” but did not receive a diploma are left to float in no man’s land. They can’t go to college, they can’t go in the military, and they can’t meet the jobs requirements for many companies without a high school diploma. We must reach out to them immediately and provide the tutoring they need to pass the FCAT, so they can earn their high school diploma and become productive and progressive citizens.
Do you feel there is any one area in education that needs to be immediately addressed?
Reading. A competent reader is able to critically think and to analyze. Thus, students must be able to read in order to compete in the technological age that they face. Many companies now require applications to be completed online, and for admittance into colleges - students must have good grades, certain SAT/ACT scores, and must be able to write an essay all of which require critical thinking and analytical skills. Most colleges offers some on-line courses, you can earn a four year degree via the internet, and you can now compete in the business world with an on-line company, but to accomplish any of these, you must be a competent reader.
Tell us a little bit about your personal life – your education, family, time in Jacksonville, time spent in our public schools, etc.
I am a Jacksonville native and one of 12 children. My parents reared us on a belief system of order- God, family, mankind, and going to school and to college was an embedded expectation. They were involved in our lives and in our schools until bussing. As a result of bussing, my mother, in particular, was unable to continue working closely with the PTA due to the lack of transportation. I attended A.L. Lewis Elementary, James Weldon Johnson Jr. High (before integration), Joseph Stilwell Jr. High (after integration), and earned my high school diploma from Edward H. White High (Go Commanders). I earned my B.A. degree from Jacksonville University.
I am a biker and love the outdoors (I do not camp). I am a sports enthusiast and coached basketball and swimming in middle school. I taught 8th grade Language Arts at Northwestern Middle, published a newspaper (The Jacksonville Chronicle), and hosted a live radio talk show ViewPoint with Paula D. Wright. I enjoy speaking to groups and understand my responsibility is to give back and help others along my journey in life.
Some closing thoughts…
Educating our children is an investment. So, I approach my role as a Board Member with the question: How can I best serve my community by ensuring that our investment in our students will pay immeasurable dividends for our future?