Candidate for
Board Member; Windsor Unified School District

I strongly support music and the arts. Educational Research has shown again and again that students who participate in music, art, drama, and other creative/hands on curriculum have improved test scores, higher level thinking skills, and improved attitude about school. When children are supported in the arts, they are given the motivation and drive to excel in what may be the only area they can excel in initially. This success then spills over into other aspects of their lives and suddenly you have a child that has been richly educated and not just "test driven".

I strongly believe that parents are the number one advocates for their children. No one will love your child more than you. No one will care more about your child's future education than you. Not many people care as much about the ethical and moral values you want taught to your children. Parents need to be involved in the educational process for their children. Parents must not sit back and believe that their child is getting a quality education just because they are in a good school. For example: Parents have a right to know what books are being required in middle school and high school. They have a right to request age appropriate books. They have a right to request an alternative book if the one required by the teacher has objectionable material. Parents should notify the principal, Superintendent, or board if a teacher is requiring reading that goes against the district policy of "no profanity, no pornography, and no sexually explicit language or behavior in school." Your child deserves to have your focused attention when it comes to his or her education.

When teachers feel supported and respected by administration and staff they are more likely to feel happier in the classroom. This can improve their quality of teaching. Teachers need to be supported with information/workshops that will help them to have quality procedures in their classroom that lead to excellent behavior management. Excellent behavior management will help teachers to avoid directing harsh voices at children, experiencing high frustration levels, and other behaviors that impede the learning process in class and tear at the children's self worth. Workshops that teach E.N.V.O.Y., F.A.T. City (Frustration Anxiety and Tension), Crucial Confrontations, "Teaching Children to Care", etc. can do much to support and improve the quality of teaching in our schools and the quality of life for teachers during school.