The Wednesday Journal sent questionnaires to each person running for public office in 2025. The Journal’s questions are in bold and the candidate’s responses are below.
What do you see as some of the biggest challenges facing elementary and middle school students in our post-pandemic world? How would you work to support D90 students?
During the pandemic, kids had to learn about sacrificing their needs and wants for the benefit of others. I think teaching kids about Public Health and their role as citizens in stewarding good public health practices increases a child’s empathy as well as how global our society has become. Now post-pandemic, I hope these lessons continue to be taught. I would work to support D90 families to prepare for any potential new pandemics and figure out how children can still learn when outside of the classroom.
What is the most important facilities issue currently facing D90?
I think the space to the south of Roosevelt Middle school, known as Circle Drive, could be used in a much more optimal way to enhance recess and outdoor classroom time. However, Lincoln school currently has a large drainage project that needs finishing, Willard has plans to redo sidewalks, and Roosevelt will redo their North Gym floor so obviously projects like these may take precedence.
Is there any program or resource you’ve seen implemented in another school district that you think D90 students and families would really benefit from? How would it fill an existing gap?
I have seen other districts host amazing Science Fairs where students work in them during school so that every child gets to participate and their parents can’t augment the projects. I have also read about other districts hosting National History Day contests where children present to judges their work which analyzes historical events and measures their impacts on society. I think having programs like these would help D90 Students gain confidence in their writing and public speaking skills as well as have a choice in the topic that they are studying. I also think it is great to have opportunities for academic competition not just athletic competition at schools.
What does equity in education mean to you? How would you advocate for it if elected?
Equity in education means all students having the chance to learn in a way that sets them up for success. A good example of this I once heard is that Equality gives everyone the right to ride the bus but Equity ensures that there are curb cuts so that people in wheelchairs can get on the bus. I would advocate for those types of equity measures to make sure kids have what they need to learn in the best way possible.
There have been ongoing discussions and changes to D90 curriculum. Are you satisfied with those changes? What other curriculum do you think needs to be reviewed?
The new ELA curriculum was implemented last month so it will be interesting to see what changes happen both from the student and teacher’s perspectives. I also think our Social Studies curriculum needs review. History is so exciting and a subject that relies on critical thinking. I would like to see it made more appealing to kids, more relatable to current events and not so boring! Plus, we now contend with mis and disinformation at a much rapid pace than before so it is crucial that kids learn how to decipher what is fact from fiction and how the full story must be gleaned from several different perspectives.
With a new presidential administration has come sweeping federal changes affecting public schools. How would you look to guide the district in this new climate?
Public schools are the foundation of a healthy democracy. I would guide the district to make sure that we have ways to best accommodate our students even if the current presidential administration does not. For example, we should have backup plans for students receiving free lunch if that program goes away or we should make plans to support students’ 504 and IEP plans if funding for those programs cease.
