Political Philosophy for Nancy Fogelson

Candidate for
State Board of Education; District 4

I am committed to the philosophy that all students have the civil right to an education that will propare them to succeed in the adult world. This can only be accomplished with a coalition of support from local, state, and federal governments, and of parents, educators, and commuity services. We cannot ask schools to do that which we will not support. Our children are our future adults who will take their places leading the country in the 21st century. We must give them what they need to do this.

Facilities and programs must be oriented to match our goals. We cannot shrug off our responsibility with the idea that if parents are not involved we cannot do our job. Parental involvement is a critical part of educational success but we can and must achieve that success even if parents are minimally involved or not invovled a all. Respect for teachers in paticular but for education in general is the key to this process. Today's culture reflects a decline in respect and local schools and communities must create programs consistent with their residents to foster mutual respect utilizing all community resources including health care professionals, social services, recreation facilities, religious institutions, and law enforcement professionals.

Students respond to their environment in the same ways as adults. Healthy, sfe, creative, well functioning facilities that foster creativity and excitement will significantly alter attitudes and behavior positivly. Students deserve these facilities.

Teachers face a rapidly changing world and must be able to keep up with these changes in order to provide excellent leadership in the classroom. Therefore, continuing education in subject areas as well as mthods must be a part of every teacher's professional life.

We are a nation of citizens with vast resources of untapped energy. We can use these resurces to build the kind of educational system consistnet with our personal and national values.