Tomorrow is the school board election in our town. There are two incumbents and one challenger for two seats. Are you going to vote? How well do you feel you know the candidates? Do you feel like you know what issues for which they each stand? Do you value the importance of a new voice…
This is a story about my intensity as a person and why I cannot make a run for a seat on the school board. You need to know that I wish I did not notice every little thing or have the intense desire to want change and educational reform. It is a story about letting…
Recently, I have been bothered by some emails I received from Dr. Jo Boaler who is a Math Professor at Stanford University in California and founder of You Cubed, a math website for teachers of mathematics and the families they serve. Do not get me wrong, I do not know Jo Boaler, but from reading…
A number of recent things have got me thinking about Talented and Gifted (TAG) Education services in our school district again. These thoughts started when we learned at the recent senior meeting that one of the high school counselors was now being called a career counselor and would be the contact person for TAG students,…
Have you ever done something you knew was going to irritate you, but did it anyway? I did that today. Today, I opened a folder of notes I took while meeting with a friend over coffee about a new grading policy at our high school. She knew I was a student advocate and wanted to…
Earlier this week we received the packet of information that comes from our school district regarding registration for the upcoming school year. Now that I have two high schoolers (soon to be a sophomore and a senior), a single packet arrives with the materials. You can imagine what is inside – school photo forms, parking…
Ten things I have learned by being a student advocate for two decades: 1. You will feel a sense of power and/or relief when positive change is made. Do not let this feeling of accomplishment let you rest on your laurels. 2. You will be frustrated or even angry when the needs of those for…
The postcard has laid on the shelf for a week. Just receiving it, although expected, brought up many mixed emotions for me. My response is required by today. It would mean another committment, another volunteer role, and another chance to advocate for our student body. It also would mean another possibility there might be retribution…
Right now, I find myself in a place where I have to stop trying to make a difference. I have realized that I cannot win this game. This year I spoke out about some teaching practices and administrative decisions that I disagreed with from my perspective as a parent and student advocate. I spoke out,…
Service Learning, A.K.A volunteerism, has recently been an important part of preparing high school students, and even those younger, to be an active engaged citizen. There is no doubt that when you serve others, you receive a sense of community, empathy, and responsibility to society. I did not set out to be a role model…