Bakit ka tumatakbo para sa WCSD Trustee? Ano ang iyong pananaw sa tagumpay para sa tungkuling ito? 

As we began our foster care journey, we found that crowded classrooms, over worked (and under paid) teachers, the lack of student support, and violence on campuses was having a detrimental effect on the children who have come live in our home. I thought to myself, this is it, this is my chance to make a real difference!

As a foster parent and nurse, I have the unique ability to look outside the box. Unlike those who are past or present teachers or school board members, I have an outside perspective. My experience as an emergency room nurse has taught me to listen to and understand people and their concerns. It has led me to be slow to judgment and methodical and rational in a crisis. I have had the opportunity to partner with people of every color, race, and creed. This has taught me the strength in embracing our differences and working together to serve our community.

Paano mo tinukoy ang tagumpay ng mag-aaral? Anong karanasan ang mayroon ka at anong papel ang nais mong gampanan sa pagtataguyod para sa tagumpay ng mag-aaral?

To me student success is defined as each student reaching their full academic potential. This will be different for every child. For some students learning their letter sounds happens in 4th grade, for others they come into pre-k reading. As a school board trustee, I intend to advocate for an expansion of special education resources including special education teachers. I also intend to advocate funding lower class sizes to allow teachers the ability to spend more time with children who are at higher risk of not meeting benchmarks.

Sa 2022 National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP), ang mga mag-aaral sa ikaapat na baitang, sa Nevada, ay nakakuha ng 6 na puntos na mas mababa sa matematika at 7 puntos na mas mababa sa pagbabasa kung ihahambing sa 2019. Kung mahalal, paano mo magagamit ang iyong posisyon upang matiyak na titigil ang Nevada sumusunod sa pambansang kalakaran at nagsisimulang manguna sa mga resulta ng mag-aaral?

Again, I would address the declining literacy and mathematics rates by working to expand the special education department and implementing homework. I believe one of the ways we can help parents support their children at home is getting them involved with what is happening in the classroom. Homework is a hot topic but I think it empowers the parents and students to have a vested interest in what is being taught in the classroom.

Ano, kung mayroon man, ang mga hadlang na kasalukuyang umiiral sa kahusayan sa edukasyon at katarungan para sa bawat mag-aaral? Kung mahalal sa Lupon ng mga Tagapangasiwa, paano ka makakatulong na maalis ang mga hadlang na ito?

I think the main barriers to educational excellence lie in unsafe schools and chronic truancy. Teachers and students are being bullied and assaulted and some Washoe schools have chronic truancy ratings of above 60%. As a Trustee I would work with work with Washoe Schools Police to increase SRO presence. I would also address chronic truancy by exploring a program called B.A.R.R.. B.A.R.R. is a “strengths-based educational system that provides schools with a comprehensive approach to meeting the academic, social, and emotional needs of all students through the power of data and relationships.”

Ano sa palagay mo ang nangungunang tatlong pinaka-paulit-ulit na hamon na kinakaharap ng WCSD Board of Trustees? Ano ang isang halimbawa ng isang matapang na diskarte na imumungkahi mong tugunan ang isa sa mga hamong iyon?

Transparency- I believe we need to invite parents and guardians into our schools. Our students will thrive best from allowing more parental involvement. This would also allow the parents to support the teachers as well!

Budget- I believe in balanced budgets. I believe we need to cut excess spending to endure every taxpayer dime is used in a fiscally responsible way.

Super Intendent Search- Public Comment. I believe the Super Intendent search should be open to public comment BEFORE the Board of Trustees narrows down the candidates. I think the submitted resumes should be made public (with private information redacted) so that the community can reflect on who they find is a good candidate.

Iminumungkahi ng pananaliksik na higit sa 50% ng isang pulong ng lupon ay dapat nakatuon sa mga resulta ng mag-aaral. Paano mo matitiyak na ilalaan ng lupon ang ganitong dami ng oras sa mga resulta ng mag-aaral?

Unfortunately, that is not up to me as a Trustee. President Smith is ultimately responsible for what the Board of Trustees can discuss. However, at any point where there are issues on the agenda related to student outcomes I will make a motion to speak on them in public forum.

Kung mahalal sa Lupon, paano mo haharapin ang mga mapaghamong pag-uusap at/o mga kritisismo na maaaring lumabas mula sa mga kapwa miyembro ng Lupon, stakeholder, at sa mas malawak na komunidad?

Kindness. We can all use a little more kindness in our lives. My grandmother told me when I was young, “It takes all kinds of kinds to make a world Stephanie, everyone knows something you don’t know.”

Anong mga pangunahing tagapagpahiwatig ang iyong gagamitin upang masuri ang pagganap ng Superintendente ng WCSD? Paano mo papanagutin ang Superintendente?

As a trustee I would monitor school attendance, testing outcomes and schools safety. If there is points to be addressed I would follow the protocols in place to address these areas that need improvement.

Sa isang kamakailang survey, 77% ng mga residente ng Nevada ay sumang-ayon na ang mga magulang ay dapat na maipadala ang kanilang mga anak sa pampublikong paaralan na sa tingin nila ay pinakamahusay para sa kanilang anak, kahit na ito ay nasa labas ng kanilang kapitbahayan. Sumasang-ayon ka ba? Pakipaliwanag ang iyong pangangatwiran.

Yes, I agree. The reason I agree is that ultimately these students are a parent’s child and they should have the ability to place their kids in schools that provide the best schooling for their children.

Ang sumusunod na tanong ay isinumite ng kasalukuyang pampublikong mag-aaral sa mataas na paaralan: Paano mo matitiyak na ang mga mag-aaral ay mauuna sa proseso ng paggawa ng desisyon bilang miyembro ng Lupon ng mga Tagapangasiwa, at anong mga hakbang sa pananagutan ang iyong ilalagay upang matiyak na ito nangyayari? 

Dear Student,

Firstly I want to say the fact that you are getting involved and even know that there is a school board puts you heads above the rest. Keep staying involved, I know an involved eloquent young person like you can make a difference!

As a trustee I would say that our entire job is to keep you and your fellow classmates the priority. However, often many things that are addressed in a school board meeting seem really far off from student issues. As I look back to my teen years I realize there were many things my mom talked about like internet, water, and sewage that I felt had nothing to do with me. It turns out though, I use the internet, water and I am very happen when they are all running well. While some mundane things seem not to be student issues I can assure you they all are building blocks to provide you with an environment conducive to learning and cultivation your success.

Thanks for the great question!

Steph