Safety
All of our students, teachers and staff deserve to feel safe in the schools they are learning and working in. Schools are supposed to be safe and stable learning environments where each child can learn and grow, no matter what racial or socioeconomic background they come from. Safe environments do not exist in a vacuum, they are created from a culture of support and acceptance at all levels. When everyone knows they belong and that the environment that they learn and work in is supportive of them as a unique individual, the environment becomes a safer one.
Unsafe environments are created when teachers are exploited and not given support, children are made to feel isolated and alone, bullying is not handled properly, school staffing is inadequate, and mental health resources are strapped. As a school board member, I will support and help develop a school culture among students, staff, and teachers that strengthens the safety of our schools.
So that our children can feel safe at school and parents will worry less about the environment they are sending their kids into every morning, I will create a culture of transparency, where teachers and staff can raise issues and give feedback on what is working and what isn't without worry of retaliation. I will be open to hearing about new ideas and creative ways to offer our kids the support they need to be able to learn and grow.