25 years of professional experience in the fields of Social Work and K-12 education go beyond my formal education of a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work, Educational Leadership Certification, and Educational Specialist Degree. Being an educator and social worker helps me to consider educational and mental health aspects and leads me to comprehensive decision-making for students. Experiences in policy development and management align with school board best practices.
Listen Intently for understanding. Provide parents the time and space to feel heard. Refer to school policies related to curriculum, instructional materials, and the process for handling concerns and ensure that actions align with guidelines.
Advocate for the importance of a well-rounded and inclusive education. Emphasize the need for diverse perspectives in the curriculum while maintaining academic rigor.
Mental health care is not a one-solution-fits-all approach, multiple strategies are needed. One approach is to add curriculum that teaches students about emotional well-being, stress management, and coping strategies. Hiring more culturally responsive counselors. Anti-bullying programs and initiatives that create a positive and inclusive environment, substance abuse identification and sensory rooms where students can access mental health resources, seek support, or take a break when needed.
Data examination is key, conducting regular data dives to identify and address disparities in resource allocation, course enrollment, and teacher distribution. This includes examining demographic data, achievement gaps, and access patterns in the district. I’m also an advocate of developing support programs for underrepresented groups that include mentoring, tutoring, and field trip exposure.
Staff must be paid competitive salaries and benefits that are a par with neighboring jurisdictions, We need to create pathways for leadership within the district and support teachers and administrators to pursue those roles and continue professional growth. Adopt a cooperative and caring school culture where teachers and administrators feel valued, respected, and part of a positive community. Establishing mentoring and wellness programs that support physical and mental health.
Campaign Twitter
@zakyiaforpgcps
I’ve spent over a decade in education from the classroom to national advocacy. I’ve taught, led school culture improvement efforts, coached teachers, principals & district leaders, worked to pass state and local education legislation, and worked on national education policy. I’ve experienced District 8 schools as a student and teacher leader. I’d like to bring my educational expertise together with the genius of PGCPS staff and the broader community to make our schools a model for the nation.
I respect parents' responsibility to protect and guide their children. I do not support using that responsibility to obscure facts or make the job of educating students to be citizens more difficult. I am in support of pathways to address curricular issues with educational experts and best practices, and systems for parents to opt out of specific books or instructional materials if the learning objective can be met without that material and doing so won’t impede the learning of other students.
The mental health crisis is a community issue that schools can’t solve alone. In addition to community partnerships, I support
1) Systems in all schools to get students to dedicated mental health professionals, either on-site or through referrals
2)Training all staff in basic mental health and crisis prevention such as Restorative Practices and Mental Health First Aid
3)Embedding wellness and SEL into the curriculum
4)Analyzing our policies for ways to model well-being best practices
ALL students can achieve at high levels and our resource allocation MUST reflect our commitment to getting them there! I support 1)Using data to drive decisions around resource allocation 2)Increasing incentives to attract our most effective staff to support our greatest needs 3)Interventions that meet students where they are to build the skills to succeed in challenging coursework to be offered at all schools 4)Ongoing training for staff to meet the unique needs of our most vulnerable students
This is a national crisis, so we have to get the basics down and then get creative. We must provide safe and positive work environments, pay people for their expertise, and provide support to reach the high professional standards we expect. Safe, well-paid expert staff create joyful, impactful learning environments for students and attract more talent. I will work with all stakeholders to optimize the strategies already in place and push for new strategies such as the Opportunity Culture Model.
Campaign Phone
202-222-2835
Campaign Instagram
arenej323
I have experience as a lawyer, Legislative Director, Deputy Town Administrator, Director of Community Engagement and Constituent Services, Law Enforcement Officer, Social Worker, Director for Summer Playgrounds, and Substitute Teacher. I believe in building strong partnerships with stakeholders, including local agencies, to provide additional resources and services to students and their families. I will continue to work towards building successful partnerships within the community.
I believe parents should have the option to opt out of curriculum materials that conflicts with their beliefs, but schools must have inclusive, and diverse curriculums that supports the entire spectrum of our student population. School Board members don't create the curriculum, but the Superintendent does. Thus, I support PGCPS's efforts to create inclusive curriculums that represent the student population's diversity.
Schools need a Mental Health Crisis Team for students' safety and well-being. The team should include a nurse, social worker, counselor, resource officers, and a mental health professional. Intervention by one or more of these entities is pivotal for successful management. A bi-lingual representative might also be necessary.
As a Legislative Director, I support the "Maryland Education Shortage Act." We need to retain our educators by advocating for competitive compensation, professional development, and growth opportunities. Our students deserve a safe learning environment, and the budget must align with our priorities. I will ensure that our community's voices are heard so that our students receive the education they deserve.
To attract and retain the best educators and administrators, as a potential school board member, I propose offering competitive salaries and benefits, providing ample professional development opportunities, creating a positive culture that celebrates excellence in teaching, and prioritizing communication with our teachers. This will ensure that PGCPS remains an attractive place for highly qualified educators to work and develop, ultimately leading to a better education for our students.
