Priorities
Ask any educator you know, in any school across the country, and they will tell you how different students and schools are in 2024 compared to before 2020.
The pandemic has had lasting effects on our children, and on the way schools operate at every level. Coupled with the rapidly changing digital landscape and emerging technologies, it becomes apparent that if we want to provide the best possible education for our kids, we need to change the way we think.
Education, Teaching, & Classrooms
⦿ More testing with deeply flawed and tired standardized tests will never raise academic achievement. We need more teaching, less testing, and to prioritize individualized education and classroom learning.
⦿ We must teach the truth, even if it is unpleasant to hear. The truth matters. Having educational curriculum appropriate for age level that teaches the true and accurate history of our state, our country, and our world is incredibly important and something I will always fight for.
⦿ We must support our teachers and bring down class sizes. When student to teacher ratios are too high, it can lead to behavioral issues as well as allowing kids to slip through the cracks. We have amazing teachers in Temecula, and for optimum development of each pupil, they need to be able to give individual attention.
Forward Thinking
⦿ Emerging technologies and social media is making it easier than ever for kids to create and disseminate graphic images and videos. This is a growing problem in schools across the country, and TVUSD needs to be prepared.
⦿ Cyber attacks on schools in the US doubled from 2022 to 2023, and they are expected to be a growing issue in 2024 and beyond. It is vital that we audit, upgrade, and maintain our technology facilities to keep our information secure against all threats.
⦿ While reading, writing, and arithmetic remain fundamental to student success in the job market, business leaders and employers are putting more focus on “soft skills” as a measure of employability and job readiness. To ensure future success for our students, we need to make these skills a larger focus of our curriculum.
Student Safety
⦿ AI is here to stay, and with it comes all of the good, and the bad for our students. One thing we need to do immediately, is create a Deepfake policy, and work to address the moral and legal implications of using these technologies with our students.
⦿ While physical incidents are becoming less common, cyberbullying is extremely widespread. As a result, the mental health and wellbeing of our students will continue to be in a downward spiral. Reducing cyberbullying in our schools is vital.
⦿ School safety shouldn’t mean we only focus on active shooter drills. Real school safety is identifying the issues before they have a chance to become violent. We can do this by expanding our SEL lessons and providing adequate mental health support for students.
Fiscal Responsibility
⦿ We must be strategic in our allocation of resources. Costly lawsuits and unproductive discord has wasted a lot of time and money which could be used to support our students, teachers, and classrooms.
⦿ Retaining and attracting new and seasoned teachers and support staff must be a top priority. We need to look for opportunities to reduce costs without compromising the quality of education.
⦿ We must care about children more than politics. We should prioritize spending on initiatives, programs, and services that directly contribute to student learning and well-being.
Reduce Government Interference
⦿ I do not believe any elected official should overstep their bounds and insert themselves into your home or your family. We need to allow parents to parent their kids, but we should support them as much as we can with proper education and training so they know how to deal with difficult situations and conversations.
⦿ Without the freedom of speech and expression, we can not thrive. I am against any policy that would limit the ability of students or teachers to properly express themselves such as flag bans.
⦿ TVUSD schools should make it extremely clear that we support ALL students and we should ensure that we do not enact or implement any policies that would make any individual or group of students feel unwanted, unseen, or unheard.