Education, Experience
Bachelor's Degree in Art and Art Education / ESL Adjunct and Tutor at Reading Area Community College, Reading PA
Qualifications
20+ years experience working as an educator and tutor. Owner and founder of Studio E- English Instruction and Tutoring Service
I am a Berks County native and have been living in the Brandywine Heights School District for 22 years. During those years I've worked primarily as an educator, substituting in the public schools and as an ESL adjunct professor and tutor in the English for Academic Purposes Department at Reading Area Community College. Additionally, I run my own English tutoring service, Studio E, offering private and small group classes to learners whose first language is other than English.
I am running for school board director because I'd like to give back and serve in my school district. I want to forward initiatives that strengthen and bolster education ensuring each child feels welcome and supported. Access to a solid, well-rounded education is paramount to building functioning societies. Therefore, it is my goal to work together with teachers, staff, and the community to make Brandywine Area School District the best it can be.
First, political debates around equity and inclusion have become a thorny matter at board meetings these days. That is why diverse representation on a board is necessary to mitigate politically driven agendas. Second, as the DOE is on the chopping block, balancing budgets will be an increasing problem. Finding new sources of revenue will be essential. Third, maintaining enrollment is another challenge. This could be addressed by exploring novel ways to make the district attractive.
Yes. I believe it's important for schools to include life skills curriculum. Learning to budget, fill out a tax form, vote, cook a meal, etc is essential. Perhaps lessons on financial literacy and household management could be integrated into math classes, field trips, and clubs. Students could help in the cafeteria functions or school maintenance as well. A former student of mine told me in her Japanese school, students contributed to meal prep and facility clean up throughout the year.
Zoom and other virtual meeting apps are great tools when classes can not be in person. Virtual learning took off during Covid, and now many schools offer virtual alternatives for students who struggle in the traditional classroom or simply prefer distance learning. AI presents a challenge in that it's far too easy to cheat with it. Teachers need to be creative in finding ways to encourage authorship in their work using AI only as a tool to spark ideas.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Education, Experience
The Pennsylvania State University: B.S. - Animal Bioscience
Qualifications
President- Brandywine Heights PTC
I have served as the President of the Brandywine Heights PTC since 2022, which has given me insight into the inner workings of the elementary and intermediate/middle schools in our district. I have worked with administration and staff to determine where the PTC could support additional learning opportunites, educational field trips, staff appreciation, and more, while managing multiple fundraising activites to raise the funds necessary to support our initiatives.
As a parent that lives in the Brandywine Heights Area School District, I am determined to ensure that my children receive the best public school education possible. It is extremely important to me that all students are nurtured and provided with the means necessary to be successful in their futures after graduation, and that school staff are supported to aid in their growth as educators, and to create the best possible learning environment for all students.
The top 3 challenges I see are budget constraints, recruiting and retaining quality staff, and political/cultural divides. Budget constraints require strong financial planning, exploring alternative funding, and advocating for fairer funding policies. Staff recruitment requires competitive compensation packages, strong professional development, and a focus on a positive school climate. Cultural and political divides should be based on student centered decision making.
While academics are crucial, students need to be prepared with life skills upon graduating. This could be accomplished by making life skills a required part of the curriculum, partnering with community organizations and businesses to bring real world insight to classrooms, creating project-based experiences where students apply what they’re learning to actual scenarios, and checking in with graduates to ask them what they wish they’d learned and adjust curriculum from there.
Emerging technologies have a growing role in the modern classroom. AI tools can adapt to individual student needs, helping teachers differentiate instruction. Emerging tech can spark curiosity and allow for more interactive, hands-on learning. I do believe that AI needs to be closely monitored to ensure that students are not cheating or taking the easy way out of their responsibilities. AI and tech can be great tools to support teachers in the classroom.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
