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Candidate has not yet responded.
Education
Bachelor's Degree; Master's Degree (American History)
Volunteer experience
Various volunteer activities for my daughter's schools (school library assistant, room parent, chair of school yearbook committee)
As the parent of a school-age daughter, I’m invested in her education and have a fresh perspective to add to the makeup of the Board.
Through my professional experience I’ve worked on documentaries featuring our national and state public school systems. My desire to advocate for educators and students was ignited while I worked on the Nebraska Loves Public Schools campaign — I saw firsthand how strong our schools are across the state.
I also feel a civic duty to support our schools. This year’s election is particularly important because in the next term the Board will set the vision which will impact our schools through 2036.
If elected I will prioritize student mental health, teacher recruitment and retention, and literacy skills.
The top challenge facing our school districts is the teacher shortage which impacts much of how our schools function. The Board must work with universities, leaders, and teachers to advocate for sustainable strategies such as programs like OPS’ Educators Rising.
Institutions that offer competitive compensation, positive work climates, and supportive leadership have less trouble recruiting and retaining employees, even in times of labor shortages. I would advocate for policies that address these areas.
Schools in high-poverty neighborhoods bear a larger share of the teacher shortage burden. These students deserve the best of our educators and I would like to see Nebraska prioritize recruitment efforts with an eye toward these schools.
The Board sets policy and ensures that the Department of Education functions effectively. As elected representatives our role is to advocate for the unique needs of each of our districts.
We must provide fair governance for all our schools but it is critical that members of the State Board of Education advocate for strong public schools. It is also important that we avoid the distractions of culture war topics and collaborate on the governance and policy-making that will preserve and strengthen our state’s schools.
Education
Bachelor's in Elementary Education, Masters of Educational Administration, Doctorate of Educational Administration and Supervision with Superintendent's Endorsement
Current Public Office, dates held
Commissioner for Post Secondary Education
Military experience
n/a
Volunteer experience
First Tee Hogan's Heroes Board, Mildred D. Brown Study Center Board,
Dr. Griffin will prioritize the following:
The development of strong and competent readers Birth - 2nd grade, empowering parent choice, and ingraining a growth mindset into our educational economies.
When it comes to a quality education, marginalized
communities are suffering:
Students are continuing to be suspended and expelled from
school, single parent households are struggling to keep the bare
essentials in the home, test scores continue to prove academic and social gaps, parents believe that they are no longer able to discipline and teach their children, and this is what I reference as an educational crisis.
Parents have to be provided a space to lead the educational process. Educators must be responsible for the academic, physical and emotional well being of children. The solution is the success of teachers and parents sharing power.
Dr. Griffin see's her role on the State Board of Education as an opportunity to be the voice and set policy that is reflective of the State Board of Education mission to prepare Nebraskans to learn, earn and live, ie. the constituents of District 4.
