2022 School Board Member Candidate Questionnaire
What is your vision for education in this community?
My vision for our county’s education is that all students, no matter where they are located in the county have equal opportunities. A variety of vocational programs will be accessible to all students. We will be focused on educating the whole child. I want us to be a top school district in the country, not just the state of Florida.
My vision for our county’s education is that all students, no matter where they are located in the county have equal opportunities. A variety of vocational programs will be accessible to all students. We will be focused on educating the whole child. I want us to be a top school district in the country, not just the state of Florida.
What do you see as major concerns facing Nassau County School Districts?
Population Growth. People see what a wonderful place this is. They see that Nassau County is an A rated district and they want to raise their family here. This growth must be matched by school system so that schools are not overcrowded before progress begins. Teacher retention is another problem facing our school district. We must use data gathered from the exit interviews to develop a plan of action to retain teachers. It is critical to be proactive and not reactive.
Population Growth. People see what a wonderful place this is. They see that Nassau County is an A rated district and they want to raise their family here. This growth must be matched by school system so that schools are not overcrowded before progress begins. Teacher retention is another problem facing our school district. We must use data gathered from the exit interviews to develop a plan of action to retain teachers. It is critical to be proactive and not reactive.
What resources or investments are needed to best support "ALL" students in Nassau County in the future?
A physical plan of safety and security to make sure that every school has what is necessary to protect our schools. This should continuously change as funds increase. We must invest in our educators and those people who directly educate our students. We must also find ways to support the arts and especially vocational education.
A physical plan of safety and security to make sure that every school has what is necessary to protect our schools. This should continuously change as funds increase. We must invest in our educators and those people who directly educate our students. We must also find ways to support the arts and especially vocational education.
What do you have in mind for your term of office and how will you achieve them?
I would like our schools to prepare students for the real world and not a test world. We do not need to spend additional funds on a variety of programs that assess our students. For example, we currently have STAR, IReady, Progress Monitoring and the FSA that are given to students in the elementary grades. We should use one program. We need to think creatively in ways to retain our veteran teachers and attract additional dynamic staff. Look at the current exit interview results. Develop a plan using the data obtained. We are fortunate to have many businesses in Nassau County. I want to be a conduit in the community, linking more businesses to their local schools. Each school board member should be doing this for their schools.
I would like our schools to prepare students for the real world and not a test world. We do not need to spend additional funds on a variety of programs that assess our students. For example, we currently have STAR, IReady, Progress Monitoring and the FSA that are given to students in the elementary grades. We should use one program. We need to think creatively in ways to retain our veteran teachers and attract additional dynamic staff. Look at the current exit interview results. Develop a plan using the data obtained. We are fortunate to have many businesses in Nassau County. I want to be a conduit in the community, linking more businesses to their local schools. Each school board member should be doing this for their schools.
How do you think Nassau County schools are doing at providing quality science, technology, engineering, math, and art education? What will you recommend improving on these?
We offer several programs at different schools in the district. At FBHS, we offer aerospace. On the west side, students have the opportunity to participate in the biotechnical agricultural program. In our elementary grades, several teachers have received STEAM grants from the Nassau Education Foundation. To improve, the key will be to connect with teachers and administrators. Listen to what support they need to put potential programs in place. I also think it is vital to provide teachers the opportunity to attend professional developments in Florida. This is important in growing teachers in their knowledge of current STEAM instructional models.
We offer several programs at different schools in the district. At FBHS, we offer aerospace. On the west side, students have the opportunity to participate in the biotechnical agricultural program. In our elementary grades, several teachers have received STEAM grants from the Nassau Education Foundation. To improve, the key will be to connect with teachers and administrators. Listen to what support they need to put potential programs in place. I also think it is vital to provide teachers the opportunity to attend professional developments in Florida. This is important in growing teachers in their knowledge of current STEAM instructional models.
Do you believe it is a priority to utilize technology inside and outside the classroom so that students can gain technical skills necessary for the future occupations? How can we better prepare students for the workplace?
Technology is important and can change the way a student views their learning experience. We need to stop looking at computers as machines and view them as modes of creativity. Our focus should be to teach students how to use technology, not just for bridging gaps or spiral activities. Technology should be used to allow students to be innovative and creative thinkers. To better prepare our students for the workforce, we must stay abreast of how companies are using technology. This allows our career readiness instruction to be constantly evolving.
Technology is important and can change the way a student views their learning experience. We need to stop looking at computers as machines and view them as modes of creativity. Our focus should be to teach students how to use technology, not just for bridging gaps or spiral activities. Technology should be used to allow students to be innovative and creative thinkers. To better prepare our students for the workforce, we must stay abreast of how companies are using technology. This allows our career readiness instruction to be constantly evolving.
What are your areas of concerns regarding student achievement and how will they be addressed?
We need more of a balance in the classroom. Yes, we must teach the standards, but we shouldn’t let the state test dictate our instruction. This year, the state is implementing Progress Monitoring. This will be done in the beginning and middle of the year to see student progress and growth. This is real time information and allows for immediate instructional needs. The final time they take the progress monitoring will be at the end of the year. I feel that this new state assessment will help teachers and administrators to know what students need.
We need more of a balance in the classroom. Yes, we must teach the standards, but we shouldn’t let the state test dictate our instruction. This year, the state is implementing Progress Monitoring. This will be done in the beginning and middle of the year to see student progress and growth. This is real time information and allows for immediate instructional needs. The final time they take the progress monitoring will be at the end of the year. I feel that this new state assessment will help teachers and administrators to know what students need.
What will you do as a board member to ensure that teachers have the support and materials to successfully assist students?
Analyze the budget and research best prices to purchase materials so that money can be spread to allow for more that is needed. It is critical to talk to your schools and know what they need to help set students up for success.
Analyze the budget and research best prices to purchase materials so that money can be spread to allow for more that is needed. It is critical to talk to your schools and know what they need to help set students up for success.
How will you address the need for more schools and future growth?
Proactively monitor developments approved by the Board of County Commissioners to understand the impact new developments will have on the existing school resources, as well as teachers to educate those students. If we continue to build new developments in one area, we need to concentrate our new schools in that area for growth. We never want to be forced to bus children.
Proactively monitor developments approved by the Board of County Commissioners to understand the impact new developments will have on the existing school resources, as well as teachers to educate those students. If we continue to build new developments in one area, we need to concentrate our new schools in that area for growth. We never want to be forced to bus children.
How can the school district improve communication to parents and the community?
The school district offers a variety of ways they communicate with families. Schools have Facebook pages, websites, newsletters, Remind messages and weekly telephone messages. Our district has the Nassau Notebook which spotlights what is happening within our schools. Making the community aware of the different ways to learn more about our schools could be beneficial.
The school district offers a variety of ways they communicate with families. Schools have Facebook pages, websites, newsletters, Remind messages and weekly telephone messages. Our district has the Nassau Notebook which spotlights what is happening within our schools. Making the community aware of the different ways to learn more about our schools could be beneficial.
In your opinion, how best can the Chamber of Commerce and the business community partner with the school district?
Create a partnership that connects students with employers by offering internships, job shadowing opportunities, and career fairs to give program participants a better understanding of career paths and goals. The Chamber of Commerce could also hold meetings at the schools.
Create a partnership that connects students with employers by offering internships, job shadowing opportunities, and career fairs to give program participants a better understanding of career paths and goals. The Chamber of Commerce could also hold meetings at the schools.
