Occupation/Current Position
Founder, nTechQuity Intergenerational Learning
Education
Saginaw Valley State University
Saginaw Public School District's primary strength lies in its resilient student body. Despite facing numerous challenges, these students demonstrate remarkable adaptability, leveraging their experiences to develop crucial life skills. This resilience not only prepares them for academic success but also equips them for future careers and life beyond the classroom.
The district has also made significant strides in infrastructure development, thanks to the visionary leadership and collaborative efforts of the current school board. Over the past two years, they have successfully implemented transformational changes to the physical learning environment through extensive remodeling projects and the construction of new facilities.
I have been involved in the following organizations in recent years:
Saginaw County Department of Public Health—Health Equity Council Member
Morley Enrichment Center, Incorporated (MECI)--Chairperson
Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA)--President & Past Vice President
Great Lakes Bay School-Based Health Centers-- Community Advisory Council National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) –Member
Wicks Park Neighborhood Association--Lead
S. 17th Street Church of Christ Board of Directors–Secretary
City of Saginaw School District Board —Past Appointed Member
Principal Selection Committee—(Middle School and High School)—SPSD
Public Schools Food Advisory Committee--Saginaw Public Schools
I am a proud product of the Saginaw Public School District. I have 5 children that have attended and graduated from Saginaw schools and I am a retiree of SPSD. I have volunteered extensively as a parent and I have first hand knowledge of what the current needs of our students are.
The most challenging role facing this office is parent involvement and student absenteeism. I plan to use my experience as a parent to help support families and the community with student success.
Serving on the school board is an opportunity to champion innovation. I am passionate about introducing new ideas and improving the educational systems by introducing new programs that better prepare students for the future. I would like to see students be a part of the ideation and creation of learning ideas. Students having a voice in their education is a crucial piece of support that often go unheard.
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.
Occupation/Current Position
Associate Director of Positive Youth Development
Education
Bachelors degree in Family Life and Education
A couple of strengths of school district can be proud of is:
SASA is ranked number five in the state of Michigan.
We collaborate with our local colleges and universities to bring opportunities and support to our students that would like to take college classes while in high school.
Through the Saginaw Promise students that have attended SPSD for at least three years including their 12th grade year are eligible to receive a scholarship.
Saginaw Career Complex provides great opportunities for our students to get skills, learn a trade and receive on-the-job experience.
These are all strengths because they enhance the district. They are benefits to the students.
In recent years I have been most active with the Great Start Collaborative Board and Parent Coalition. I serve as a parent representative for Saginaw City on the Board. The Mission of Great Start Collaboratives is that All children will enter kindergarten safe, healthy, and ready to succeed in school and in life. The Collaborative consists of a unique mix of dedicated individuals working together to improve early childhood systems and services in Saginaw County.
I am also a member of the Women of Colors Prevention Team. We provide substance abuse prevention and life skill training to the community.
I care about the well-being of our students, families and schools. I don’t think you have to be a superhero to serve as a board member. You must be genuine, approachable and honest and I pride myself on having those qualities. I don’t have to always be right.
I am a fact person. I must be educated before I vote. I take the time to read the data and do my research. I wouldn’t want to make a decision that impacts so many people without knowing the facts.
I think one of the most important challenges facing this office is board and parents’ relations. We are not on separate teams. We both want what’s best for the students of the district. When I sit at the board table, I am not just representing my two SPSD students, I am representing them all. Maybe we could start offering quarterly board talks where parents and the community have a chance to come in and have conversations with the board. This could be to share a concern, share something good going on or even share a resource that could be beneficial to the district.
I am running for office because I am a parent, a community member and a concerned citizen.
I have two children in the district, and I want to be part of the team that assures that all the youth receive the best education possible. That they have access to up-to-date curriculums and offered the same opportunities that other districts and youth receive.
I have worked with families in this community for over twenty years in some capacity. I care about what goes on in our district. I want SPSD to be a school district we can be proud of.
Occupation/Current Position
Retired Educator
Education
Bachelors degrees from University of Idaho - Music Ed and Elementary Ed. Masters in Education from Central Michigan University
- We now have a healthy financial fund balance and balanced budgets. This is up from threatened take over by the state when we were $12 Million in debt.
- Bond 2020 and Strategic planning produced two brand new buildings (Handley and Saginaw United) as well as remodeling two other buildings. This entire process was led by input from the community, starting with over 50 community leaders, including students, and resulted in one high school. This allows a stronger secondary curriculum to be offered to all high school students.
The strength was it had strong participation from the community and they passed a new bond to fund the projects.
Since I retired, I have had more time to participate in the Saginaw Branch of the NAACP as Second Vice President and Education Chair.
I also have been able to serve Positive Results Downtown (PRIDE) on its Board of Directors as well as now Immediate Past President.
I continue to serve music education at the state level.
Since I was first elected to the Board of Education, I have pursued certifications given by MASB and have achieved Presidents Level (highest) with 171 class credits and 2210 additional education credits. I also hold Data, Advocacy and Financial Certifications. All these make me a better informed Board member.
The most important thing we need to do is to maintain the forward progress of becoming the best education opportunity for students in Saginaw county and beyond. We need not only an additional Strategic Plan (again, in conjunction with the community) but make sure it is a continuous one and revisit it at least every two years to check on progress made and make revisions and additions if necessary.
I believe we can and will do more to serve Saginaw's students and the community. These young people are the ones who will create Saginaw's future.
Occupation/Current Position
Academic Interventionist at Arthur Eddy Academy
Education
Graduate of Waverly High School, MJ Murphy Beauty School, ARM Bible Training Institute
The key to being a good educator is the ability to build and sustain relationships with students, families, and community. In service to the students of SPSD I have made this a priority. Serving as an Academic Interventionist at Arthur Eddy Academy I include the family in the process of improving our students academic and co-curricular growth.
Secondly I am committed to project based learning. Nothing embeds a lesson better than seeing the lesson in action. Hands on experience is proven to improve performance and outcome.
I feel these are strengths because both give opportunities for our students and staff to be supported and encouraged to excel.
I am the founder and CEO of S.H E International Mentoring Network. Our mission is to equip women and girls of all ages and backgrounds with the tools needed to build the best life possible through synergy and mentorship.
I also serve on the board of the Saginaw African Cultural Festival and POBO Putting Others Before Ourselves.
For the past 25 years I have served as Minister of Music for Transforming Life Church Ministries of Saginaw.
During my time of employment with Lansing School District I served in a variety of positions. CRPBIS Coach, Pathway Navigator, Promise Path Finder, Athletic Director, ASS Parapro, Assistant Community Liaison, Senior Class Advisor, and Credit Recovery Coach. All of these positions have given me insight and understanding to the needs of all involved.
I feel the most important challenge is bringing unity in the relationship between the district and the family. It is important the the educational arm of the community provide needed resources and materials to help parents help their children. It's a unified work that must be done consistently and with compassion.
I am running for office because I believe parents, students, and staff are highly under represented in the decision making process. I want to be the voice of these populations.
