Why do you wish to serve on the school board?
I'm excited to give back to the school district that helped me grow into the person I am today. As the only candidate in the race to graduate from Noblesville High School, I feel that my perspective is important on our board. Since 2011, I've served Noblesville High School as Director of Speech & Debate and, in 2016, I took on the role of Assistant Thespian Director. Both programs went on to achieve multiple state & national accolades. I've been a substitute teacher in our classrooms, worked alongside my colleagues at NHS, and coached & mentored hundreds of our students.
My Philosophy:
The Noblesville School Board is a non-partisan board focused on serving our students, teachers, and families. Accordingly, I believe we must put ALL politics aside and focus on the needs of our school community. I'm proud to be supported by Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians and Independents who all believe that fostering a safe, successful, and nurturing school environment is always most important.
BOARD ROLE: What role do you see the school board playing in the school system?
The school board plays the role of both the legislative & judicial branch in our school structure. We're the checks & balances for the district, tasked with enforcing district policies and reviewing contracts/agreements. However, we are also tasked with creating policy for future generations. The board also hires the superintendent and reviews his/her performance on a regular basis. My favorite role that a board member plays, however, is "cheerleader" for the district! I truly enjoy supporting our performing arts programs, sports teams, and extra-curricular activities.
EQUITY: What role does the school board play in establishing social & racial equity in schools?
Promoting equity starts with our Board’s decision-making. We should be the role models for our students and staff. How are we recruiting a diverse pool of qualified candidates? What initiatives do we have in place to help students feel safe & included? How will raising a certain fee impact our low income families? I believe board members must also be active community members in order to fully comprehend the pulse in our schools.
SAFETY: What safety measures are being used to improve school safety, specifically related to gun violence? Would you change anything? If so, what would you change?
One of the most important steps was to hire our first Safety Director for Noblesville Schools, Heather Hendrich. Our schools have implemented exterior door lockdown during the school day. A driver's license and/or background check is now required to enter our buildings. All staff have been trained in ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) active shooter training. New safety dogs and increased police presence at events also add to a larger sense of security. I believe that, in addition to these measures, we need to continue to focus on our students' mental health and wellness. The social pressures placed on our students and teachers are far greater now than ever before.
I'm excited to give back to the school district that helped me grow into the person I am today. As the only candidate in the race to graduate from Noblesville High School, I feel that my perspective is important on our board. Since 2011, I've served Noblesville High School as Director of Speech & Debate and, in 2016, I took on the role of Assistant Thespian Director. Both programs went on to achieve multiple state & national accolades. I've been a substitute teacher in our classrooms, worked alongside my colleagues at NHS, and coached & mentored hundreds of our students.
My Philosophy:
The Noblesville School Board is a non-partisan board focused on serving our students, teachers, and families. Accordingly, I believe we must put ALL politics aside and focus on the needs of our school community. I'm proud to be supported by Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians and Independents who all believe that fostering a safe, successful, and nurturing school environment is always most important.
BOARD ROLE: What role do you see the school board playing in the school system?
The school board plays the role of both the legislative & judicial branch in our school structure. We're the checks & balances for the district, tasked with enforcing district policies and reviewing contracts/agreements. However, we are also tasked with creating policy for future generations. The board also hires the superintendent and reviews his/her performance on a regular basis. My favorite role that a board member plays, however, is "cheerleader" for the district! I truly enjoy supporting our performing arts programs, sports teams, and extra-curricular activities.
EQUITY: What role does the school board play in establishing social & racial equity in schools?
Promoting equity starts with our Board’s decision-making. We should be the role models for our students and staff. How are we recruiting a diverse pool of qualified candidates? What initiatives do we have in place to help students feel safe & included? How will raising a certain fee impact our low income families? I believe board members must also be active community members in order to fully comprehend the pulse in our schools.
SAFETY: What safety measures are being used to improve school safety, specifically related to gun violence? Would you change anything? If so, what would you change?
One of the most important steps was to hire our first Safety Director for Noblesville Schools, Heather Hendrich. Our schools have implemented exterior door lockdown during the school day. A driver's license and/or background check is now required to enter our buildings. All staff have been trained in ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) active shooter training. New safety dogs and increased police presence at events also add to a larger sense of security. I believe that, in addition to these measures, we need to continue to focus on our students' mental health and wellness. The social pressures placed on our students and teachers are far greater now than ever before.
