Colonial School Board - District G Choose 1
In Delaware, school board service is an unpaid elected position with a term of 4 years (5 years for board members elected prior to Dec 2021). School board elections are nonpartisan, and are held on the second Tuesday in May each year.Seven citizens elected by the residents of the Colonial School District serve as the Board of Education. Each board member lives in a separate election district, though all are elected at large. Terms are staggered so that one or two seats on the board come open each year.
Biographical Information
What is your background and how do those experiences and skills allow you to be an effective school board member?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What is the single most important issue facing your school district and how would you address it?
Candidate has not yet responded.
How should school boards respond to community calls for removing any curriculum topics, subjects, books and programs?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What kind of mental health supports do you favor in schools and how would you go about advocating for them?
Candidate has not yet responded.
How would you ensure the district provides equitable access and meets the needs of all students, including traditionally underserved student populations such as students of color, low-income students, English-language learners and students receiving special education services?
Candidate has not yet responded.
Delaware needs more resource officers in the schools. Scale of strongly agree to strongly disagree.
Candidate has not yet responded.
16 and 17-year-olds should be allowed to vote in school board elections. Yes or no
The candidate chose not to mark a box
Biographical Information
Campaign Email
tanyakernsforcolonial@gmail.com
Campaign Website
http://sites.google.com/view/tanyakernsforcolonial/home
Neighborhood/area of residence
Bear, Delaware
Are you currently a school board member? (Y/N)
N
How many school board meetings did you attend last year?
7
What is your background and how do those experiences and skills allow you to be an effective school board member?
Born and raised in Delaware, I attended Woodbridge High School. I continued my education at Goldey Beacom College earning a BS degree in Accounting and an AS degree in Computer Information Systems. I also earned an MBA degree in Management Information Systems from Wilmington University. After college, I began my accounting career at a day care and head start program. Accounting was my chosen career, but I also realized that public education and community service were my passions. I pursued my passions as a mentor to college accounting majors and volunteering with various educational programs. As a retired accountant, I am now using my skills to build relationships and improve the quality of education for all students.
What is the single most important issue facing your school district and how would you address it?
The single most important issue facing our school district is the fiscally prudent management of both operating and capital funds, along with all other district resources. This becomes increasingly critical as our district shifts to a new curriculum and undertakes projects associated with the capital referendum.
How should school boards respond to community calls for removing any curriculum topics, subjects, books and programs?
School boards have an important role in shaping education within their districts. When faced with community calls for removing curriculum topics, subjects, books and programs, should 1) get involved early through conversations and committees, 2) ask questions and 3) support teachers by communicating the value of teaching controversial issues. School boards should prioritize the best interests of students and the community when responding to community calls for curriculum changes.
What kind of mental health supports do you favor in schools and how would you go about advocating for them?
Mental health is a critical part of students' overall well-being, and schools have an increasingly important role in supporting students' mental health. As an advocate for mental health in schools, I would promote and support mental health education, mindfulness training and practices, SEBL (social, emotional, behavioral learning), increase access to mental health services, professional development for teachers and staff and increase parent involvement through education and awareness. I would advocate for mental health by working with all stakeholders, attending board meetings, and participating in community meetings and discussions.
How would you ensure the district provides equitable access and meets the needs of all students, including traditionally underserved student populations such as students of color, low-income students, English-language learners and students receiving special education services?
I would ensure the district provides equitable access and meets the needs of all students, including traditionally underserved student populations such as students of color, low-income students, English-language learners and students receiving special education services by using the following strategies 1) review exiting resource allocations 2) review current practices to identify gaps and establish the need for change 3) develop a clear vision centered around desired outcomes 4) provide education opportunities to students, teachers and families focused on the different cultures within our community, and 5) provide support services.
Delaware needs more resource officers in the schools. Scale of strongly agree to strongly disagree.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
16 and 17-year-olds should be allowed to vote in school board elections. Yes or no
The candidate chose not to mark a box