Candidate for
Board Member; San Marcos Unified School District

Through public education, children of all ethnic and economic backgrounds have a chance to succeed. Education is the key to their success. We are in the information age. Knowledge is power and freedom. Computers and the Internet are tools to assist us in reaching that knowledge. We can use technology as an equalizer, giving every child the opportunity to learn more, and become independent thinkers. Increase communication between schools and parents. Parent Involvement helps children have a higher chance for success, and helps schools to function as better learning institutions.

To reach higher student scores, we need to focus on the students as a whole. We need to help students want to learn. Curriculum must be made to be challenging enough. Schools and staff need to be supportive of students. After school programs, such as science and math clubs, music and drama classes, athletic courses and team sports, can assist students in increasing the school pride and spirit. Make our school a place where children really want to be, while learning and growing, and with educators, that really want to teach and share their knowledge.

Goals

Create a long term plan for the district to give students access to more technology. A district technology committee should be created with open door meetings at school sites, allowing for parent and student requests to be heard. Additional meetings with teachers and administrators should be implemented to learn more about the current status of the integration of technology and curriculum, as well as learning about any concerns that may arise with the additional use and expansion of technology.

Provide laptops to all high school and (possibly) middle school students by switching from paper textbooks to digital textbooks.

Several districts have already made this transition and are currently implementing this technology.

Ensure that elementary students have access to computer labs, or have hand-on access to computers in their classrooms. It is very important to properly staff the labs and/or train the teachers in assisting students on using the computers. Ongoing maintenance and upgrades of computers and software is a must for successful long term integration of technology in the curriculum.

Provide computer training and assistance to teachers and administrators. They are the link between our students and the new digital world. By helping them embrace and understand technology, we are helping our students.

Provide free after school homework clubs, especially targeted to assist children of families who are economical disadvantaged, and are unable to assist their own children sufficiently due to educational challenges and work constraints. If we want parents to be held more accountable for their children's education, we must be willing to help guide them as well as find means to motivate them to become more involved.

Ensure that all resources are made available to English learners, to help reduce the time needed for students to be able to mainstream into a regular curriculum.

Support the teachers and administrators working with our special needs children. Encourage children and staff to get to know more special needs children rather than distancing themselves. Make a new friend, appreciate the uniqueness and similarities in everyone.

Gifted children are also sometimes misunderstood. It is important to assist them, and challenge them enough to continue to make them want to learn more. As a past GATE representative for my own children's school, I learned how schools are lacking financial assistance to support gifted children. A district wide plan should be created to assist our schools and students.

Many children in our schools are extremely dedicated and hard working students. They should qualify to have the opportunities for a more challenging curriculum. We must find ways to support them as well, and of course encourage students to aspire to have a fulfilling and promising future through an excellent quality of education.

Ensure that our district stays fiscally responsible and plans for long term stability.