¿Por qué se presenta como candidato al Consejo Estatal de Educación? ¿Cuál es su visión del éxito en esta función?

My reason for running for this position is my great passion for all types of education and, more certainly, the need to elevate the literacy rate of our students in the State of Nevada. There are 11 members on the State Board. I would consider this role a success if I could increase the Board’s desire to look for innovative ways to engage and support our students in achieving student success.

¿Cómo define el éxito de los estudiantes? ¿Qué experiencia tiene y qué papel pretende desempeñar en la defensa del éxito de los estudiantes?

I believe that student success is somewhat of a nebulous term. Something considered successful for one student may not be successful for another student. Nevertheless, I perceive student success as having them understand the merits of education in their lives now and in the future. It would encompass a sense of self, academic achievement, and emotional and social development to lead to productive adult lives that benefit themselves and their community.

I have been teaching in higher education for the past 52 years. I have taught at TMCC, UNLV, UNR, and Sierra Nevada College in the State of Nevada. I have had great success in dealing with student issues and working to solve them so they may succeed in their academic pursuits.

En la Evaluación Nacional de Progreso Educativo (NAEP) de 2022, los estudiantes de cuarto grado, en Nevada, obtuvieron 6 puntos menos en matemáticas y 7 puntos menos en lectura en comparación con 2019. Si es elegido, ¿cómo puede utilizar su posición para asegurar que Nevada deje de seguir esta tendencia nacional y comience a liderar los resultados de los estudiantes?

I am a huge advocate for looking and engaging in innovative technologies to push the needle for the State of Nevada to improve from being the 43rd most educated state in the nation. A new generation of students growing up with advancing technologies may lead to rethinking what student outcomes need to be in the 21st century.

¿Qué barreras, si las hay, existen actualmente para la excelencia educativa y la equidad para cada estudiante? Si es elegido para el Consejo Estatal de Educación, ¿cómo ayudará a eliminar estas barreras?

Numerous barriers exist today to educational excellence and equity for every student.

There is no level playing field for students growing up. The home environment varies from family to family. The more wealthy families have a considerable advantage over those with less wealth, as do parents’ educational background, discrimination, and where they reside. These have mammoth influences that may lead to barriers to academic success.

If elected, I would like the Board to deal with these issues continuously.

¿Cuáles cree que son los tres retos más persistentes a los que se enfrenta el Consejo Estatal de Educación? ¿Cuál es un ejemplo de enfoque audaz que propondría para abordar uno de esos retos?

There is a lack of respect for educators. Social media influences students in anti-social behavior in negative ways, and indeed the increase of bullying and the anti-intellectual respect toward the educational process.

I would suggest bringing dynamic academic speakers and well-known entertainers to discuss the value of education and how it has changed their lives. The students need to relate in some way to the value and importance of education in their current and future lives.

Los estudios sugieren que más del 50% de las reuniones del consejo deberían centrarse en los resultados de los estudiantes. Cómo se aseguraría de que el consejo de administración dedica este tiempo a los resultados de los estudiantes?

To believe that a single member of an 11-member Board would have such influence and power seems a bit far-fetched. I certainly would share the importance of this request through current academic studies.

Si fuera elegido miembro del Consejo, ¿cómo abordaría las conversaciones difíciles y/o las críticas que pudieran surgir de otros miembros del Consejo, de las partes interesadas y de la comunidad en general?

I have spent 52 years in higher education. I have received three international Fulbrights in Egypt, Israel, and India. My fields are international terrorism and American Politics. I have spent time in many countries, including the State Department. I am quite familiar with criticism and challenging conversations. It can be a form of healthy discourse in dealing with issues as long as we respect each other. Unfortunately, it is challenging under the current political and disrespectful climate. I would propose a code of conduct that would be enforced on the board, stakeholders, and especially the broader community. All opinions are welcome, but if conducted respectfully.

In 2020, the Board of Education’s Statewide Plan for the Improvement of Pupils set a mission to improve student achievement and educator effectiveness “by ensuring opportunities, facilitating learning, and promoting excellence.” What key indicators would you use to assess the Board’s progress towards accomplishing this mission?

I would suggest a statewide survey of all teachers and have them give their assessment of, almost after 4 years, whether it has been successful or not and what needs to change and/or improve the matrix toward accomplishing this mission.

En una encuesta reciente, el 77% de los residentes de Nevada estaban de acuerdo en que los padres deben poder enviar a sus hijos a la escuela pública que consideren mejor para ellos, aunque esté fuera de su barrio. ¿Está usted de acuerdo? Por favor, explique su razonamiento.

I somewhat agree with this. I believe in a myriad of educational opportunities. The problem is that of income inequality. Some parents don’t have the cost to provide educational travel outside their areas. The proposal must be studied in-depth to see if the inequalities could be mitigated.

La siguiente pregunta fue enviada por un estudiante actual de una escuela secundaria pública: Como miembro del Consejo Estatal de Educación, ¿cómo se asegurará de que los estudiantes ocupen un lugar destacado en el proceso de toma de decisiones y qué medidas de responsabilidad pondría en marcha para garantizar que así sea?

What a fascinating question. Student representation and input should be at the State Board of Education meetings. This would need to be studied carefully to see how this proposal could be successful.