EXPERIENCED! A Delaware native & Dover resident for 35 years, Joan has taught ELA and Reading to students in special education at Delaware public schools for over 30 years. She is the founder of the student after-school club, Senators In Action, whose mission statement describes the group as seeking to do " good deeds for the community and beyond with an emphasis on feeding and helping the homeless."

DEDICATED! Joan proudly asserts her devotion to students and education: "Teaching has been my dream come true--I have loved every minute of it. I never dread coming to school and I feel satisfied at the end of the day. It is my dream for all teachers to feel this way." Joan will retire from teaching this June 2017.

IMPROVING THE COMMUNITY! In her work with student club Senators In Action, Joan has been very involved with the community. She has helped organize holiday gift distribution (homemade scarfs, hats, blankets and cookies by students) for Whatcoat Social Services' and The Shepherd Place Homeless Shelter. The group regularly funds dinners for Dover Interfaith Mission for housing. The club has adopted a highway, participate in DNREC tree planting and park cleanups, sent blankets to Haiti recovery and an African orphanage, and so much more.

ADVANCING EDUCATION FOR ALL! Joan pledges: "As a candidate for the Capital School District Board of Education, I will be an a champion for students in Special Education, while also encouraging overall higher student achievement to make Capital competitive with the more successful schools in the state."

POSITIONS: Joan's many years in teaching and community service have helped her to develop many ideas about supporting and improving our educational systems. These include...

1. A firm belief that every child can learn.

2. Raising concerns about educational achievement in the Capital School District.

3. The need for students in Special Education to be placed where they will be able to achieve the most success, rather than placed where they fit.

4. Students disciplined in our schools live in a false sense of reality where they are not held accountable for their actions.

5. Improved administrative support for teachers in the classroom.

6. Students need accountability. They should pass every class.

7. Full integration of technology, including phones for educational use only. Discontinue the practice of student recreational use of phones.

8. Raise the bar back to a 70% as the lowest passing grade, and discontinue providing an automatic 50% to students who deserve less.

9. Uniform consequences for everyone.

10. Teacher empowerment— a greater voice in decisions.

11. Finding ways for teachers to spend less of their own money on supplies.

12. Put a stop to good teachers leaving.

13. Boost volunteer projects for every student, every school.

14. Get students involved in neighborhood cleanups and/or restorations.

15. Encourage all students to join an after school club

16. Provide a bus for students who want to stay after school