Philomath School District 17J Position 1 

I want to see public education protected because that is honestly one of the foundational elements of a successful, democratic society. With the divisiveness in politics, especially the increasingly restrictive policies being put in place and dismantling protections at the federal level, the school board is even more important than ever. The community needs to really rally around students and teachers.

Culturally responsive teaching incorporates students’ and teachers’ cultural identities and lived experiences into the classroom as tools for effective instruction. This approach to teaching takes care to include the knowledge of traditionally marginalized communities in classroom instruction. As a result, all students, and in particular students of color, are empowered to become lifelong learners and critical thinkers. As a white woman who grew up in the southeast, I have seen first hand how important it is to bring this into the classroom. There is always room for improvement on this. 

I have never been part of a union so I do not have any experience in this area. I do believe that unions are a very important way to have a cohesive voice and drive change.

People are so very busy! I think it is going to be imperative that we utilize technology to reach community members in a way that is more convenient for the most people. It also is going to be important to actively solicit engagement from communities of color, such as local Native communities. The focus needs to be that the community is coming together to rally around teachers and students, and we need as much engagement from the community as possible.

Continue support! If done correctly, DEI is incredibly valuable. DEI programs are important for many reasons, including a healthy school culture, ensuring every student has a fair chance to succeed, and creating a positive learning environment. Students in environments that value DEI are more likely to feel included and supported in their educational journey, positively affecting their academic outcomes. The overall goal of fostering a well-rounded student, ready to take on the world, starts with what they are taught and exposed to.

I am absolutely against banning books. I support that legislation. There are many vocal parents and community members that have opinions on this. Outside ideas and suggestions are excellent to have, but the ultimate decision on these should be made by the Board collaborating with educators. Clear, calm, meaningful discourse should be provided to parents and having transparency of the decision-making process will help with disagreements.