Here are some critical questions and answers from Mike about the campaign and why it is important to vote for the right candidate
Why did you decide to run for county superintendent?
I decided to run for county superintendent because it is clear San Joaquin County schools are facing the largest changes in the educational history of California and there needs to be a leader who will work with all districts in San Joaquin County to support them through this process. With LCFF/LCAP, CCSS, CAASPP all coming at the same time, districts and schools are facing a daunting challenge to implement these changes with high levels of effectiveness because support staff at all local districts has been cut during the Great Recession. The county office can and should be the organization to listen to each district and develop plans to support them.
What do you hope to accomplish if elected as county superintendent?
I hope to be able to work with both large and small school districts in the County to serve the unique educational needs of each. The County Office effectively serves small districts with a variety of supports that large districts do not necessarily need. However, larger school districts need to feel the same level of support in other areas where working together is more efficient and effective than working in isolation. I would initiate externship programs for teachers supported by local business and grant funds to have teachers work with local companies to see the skills students need to be successful in the future. I would also initiate the "San Joaquin Promise," similar to programs in other regions, where aspiring educators could be supported financially, either through scholarships or loan forgiveness, for teaching in San Joaquin County schools after graduating from teacher preparation programs.
What are overarching benefits of serving as county superintendent? In other words, how will your work directly affect students in the classroom?
The county superintendent serves as the educational leader for the county. As such, the superintendent has a significant level of influence on the tone and tenor of conversations with local business, government, non-profit, and faith-based leaders. The county superintendent can serve as the unifying voice for local school districts to express the needs of local schools and districts and to connect organizations working toward the same goals. In many cases, separate organizations often compete for resources, space, attention, and support. The county superintendent, with the support of staff, can help create synergistic programs that improve program effectiveness and support all students in the educational process.
What are some of the biggest issues you face in your county/schools and how to do you hope to tackle them if elected?
The biggest issues in San Joaquin County continue to be the dropout rate of students of color as well as the achievement gap between these students and white/Asian students. The lack of an educated work force in San Joaquin County continues to inhibit the economic growth seen in neighboring counties in Northern California. I would encourage local districts and schools to move away from the current factory based model of education into one where teachers are facilitators of learning, student's strengths are celebrated and developed, and where professional development is seen as the engine of change in schools. I would use longitudinal student data to recognize successful programs, encourage the use of restorative justice programs as well as overt teaching of social and life skills, and strengths based education. I would also use the role of county superintendent to keep the discussion focused on meeting the educational needs of all students in San Joaquin County.
|
