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"Students First
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This information is provided by the candidate | ||
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"Students First
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This information is provided by the candidate | ||
My highest priority for Foothill-De Anza is to enhance the quality of classrooom educational experiences for all students. Of special consideration in this regard is the fact that our colleges are overwhelmed with students needing basic skills. Recent emphasis, however, has been on expensive information technology without clear understanding of how it serves needs of students. I believe that students benefit most when actively engaged and challenged, and I believe that technology holds the promise of greatly assisting, but only when the power of technology is focused by the creativity and guidance of skilled and dedicated classroom teachers.
Currently there are problems concerning use, and misuse, of part-time faculty. The district is greatly out of compliance with State guidelines that there should be no less than a 75/25 ratio of full-time to part-time instructors. Skilled, creative, career-oriented full-time classroom teachers are essential. Additionally, far greater support, both logistic and pedagogic, should be afforded to our many part-timers.
Further, we must end the discord that exists now between the faculty and the administrative hierarchy of the district. Implementation must begin by bringing faculty, administrative, and Board into agreement on our primary reason for existence: STUDENTS. The current Trustees spent millions of taxpayer dollars on hired consultants who negotiate with faculty and staff, and conduct studies having little to do directly with education. Instead, I would have urged investments in ways to enhance student learning.
