My experience as a tribal court judge and working with children and parents involved in the foster care system gives me a unique perspective into the lives of families in need of extra care and support. I will work tirelessly to advocate for the needs of all members of the Learning Community, but especially those that are under-represented. Resources should be used to find and implement the best available programming for those that need additional support. As a member of the Learning Community Council I will work with the state legislature to advocate for laws that provide needed support and services to families and educators in our community.

The Future Teacher Preparation already boasts successful results in teacher preparation and retention. The LCC should be actively engaging with past participants of the program to understand any deficiencies and offer updates to the programming to build on previous success. The partnership between MCC and Creighton is an asset to our community, and the LCC should explore opportunities to expand its reach with other colleges and universities in the region.

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As a mom to a child with autism, I know first hand how important early intervention is. Research shows that supporting young children’s development even before they start Kindergarten ensures a strong foundation for academic success. The Learning Community's commitment to our Intensive Early Childhood Partnership is an example of overcoming learning and social-emotional deficits. The several hundred Pre-K students who attended this program improved in school readiness as well as well as emotional areas like attachment and self-control. Nearly 40% of those students were identified as special education services with IEPs. By using our 2-GEN approach and involving parents in our programs, we ensure these gains are reinforced at home.

Retaining our most talented educators is key to our children's academic success. Our Future Teacher Preparation program allows those who are studying to become teachers to gain hands-on experience in the classroom more quickly and with more instructional support. These students have the benefit of working with a team of education experts so they are better prepared to do their job. Research shows teachers are more likely to stay in the profession if their early classroom experiences are positive. Those who have graduated from our program reported feeling more confident and prepared to work with young children. This confidence translates directly into higher job satisfaction and more retention.

The Learning Community's ongoing investments are designed to not only help but to succeed in reducing the achievement gaps and lift up students and families. The Learning Community's partnerships with school districts, nonprofit partners, and most importantly families demonstrate improvements in student learning and well-being. The Learning Community's investment in those programs, such as literacy instructional coaching, Jump Start to Kindergarten, after-school programs, targeted math instruction, and early childhood programming centered at schools, have positive and demonstrable impact on academic and well-being outcomes.

Teacher retention is related to the depth, quality, and ongoing opportunities for teacher training and professional development, in which the Learning Community continues to invest. The Learning Community's investments in that training and professional development, such as the Gretna Public Schools instructional coaching program for new teachers, are vital for long-term teacher retention. Further, because of the Learning Community's investments in family learning, children are enrolled in early learning to prepare for elementary school while their parents earn a GED, with opportunities to obtain further schooling and credentialing in early childhood instruction to increase the number of early childhood educators in our community.