Activist Toolkit

1. What motivates you to seek this office? What skills, experiences, and perspectives would you bring, and why would those contributions be valuable in the office you are seeking? 

I have been serving as a board member on the Board of Education for District 89 since 2011. I am motivated to seek re-election because this position has been extremely rewarding. To ensure that our policies endeavor to provide the students we serve with a high level of education and a safe learning environment has been an important part of my mission. I seek to continue that dedication to our families. The perspective and experience I bring is based in who I am. I am a first-generation American, college graduate. My immigrant parents sacrificed much. It is because of their sacrifices that I understand the importance of education. In addition, as a lawyer, the skills that have served me well in my position on the Board are my negotiation skills, ability to communicate effectively, and to understand all perspectives when making an educated and informed vote on matters that come before the Board. Lastly but not least, I am a mother, and it is important to me that all children receive the best education that will afford them future opportunities. 

2. When in the past have you had to balance competing interests? What process did you use? What did you learn? 

While on the Board, there have been instances when decisions may not be perfect for everyone. Yet, the District serves every student and matters must be analyzed from all aspects to make decisions for all. I have learned to use my best judgment for the better of everyone and not one single group or faction. 

3. What does transparency in government mean to you? How would you put it into practice? 

Transparency in government to me means to be candid, open, and honest. There are at times tough decisions that will significantly affect families in our communities. Keeping the community apprised of the details is an important aspect to transparency and receiving input from not only our families but staff is also another part of transparency.   

4. As more of our local discourse happens in social media, what is your view on how local elected officials should communicate with and respond to constituents? How will you engage with the breadth of the community, and not only those on social media? 

I am a strong believer that communication in general should be clear and consistent. As a board member I do not act alone but as part of a board. When constituents reach out to me or any board member individually it is proper to provide information, answers etc. or direct them to the appropriate District personnel. There are instances when constituents reach out via social media but this is not the sole method of communication. I have had neighbors knock approach me or people have sent letters to the District office. Also, I have engaged constituents at public events such as the District’s summer picnic. 

5. What barriers do you see for community members who wish to engage with District 89? How would you work to reduce or eliminate those barriers? 

I don’t believe there are many barriers for community members to engage with District 89. The District has a social media page. The District also communicates through phone, letters that are sent home with students, and emails as well. As I stated in my response above, community members are free to send letters to the District office to the board of education and in addition there is a link to the emails of board members listed on the District website.

6. What do you feel are the three biggest issues facing District 89, and how do you intend to address them? 

I think returning students to an in-person learning environment would be the first biggest issue during these times. The District has begun this process in phases. The District has put protocols in place that comply with safety guidelines outlined by health officials that aim to keep both students and employees safe and healthy. Secondly, improving academic performance is also a forefront issue. While I have been on the Board of Education, District 89 has made great strides in this area. I think by keeping in line with the strategic plan District 89 can stay on track to continuously get better. The third issue is maintaining the District’s financial stability. District 89 is financially sound because the District has been fiscally responsible. I think to keep its financial stature, the District needs to keep its spending in line with its budget. 

7. How do you define equity? Have recent events and discussions in the larger community informed or changed your thinking? 

Equity to me means every single student is receiving what he/she needs to develop to his/her full potential. I don’t think the recent events has changed my thinking much. I have always been cognizant of the needs of our specific demographics both academically and from an emotional- social learning aspect. Again as a Latina, I understand and bring that perspective with me wherever I am.  

8. How do you plan to solicit feedback from people who may be experiencing this community in a different way than you? What barriers do you believe may exist in this process? 

During school board meetings, the public is permitted to make comments in a section specifically designated for this on the agenda. The District additionally provides a link to board member’s email addresses on its website. I think some barriers may include that a particular community member may not be able to attend a meeting or lacks an email or does not have access to internet to send an email. In these cases, a letter can be mailed to the District office. The District also has on occasion sent out surveys to solicit feedback. Lastly, the District has a Parent Advisory Council. The Council consists of parents that act as liaisons between the school board and the school they represent. The parents submit reports at school board meetings with recommendations, feedback and/or news. 

9. Name an influential Maywood community member. How did this person’s influence change Maywood? As an elected official, what do you imagine your influence will be on the community? 

Gwaine Dianne Williams is an influential Maywood community member. As a fellow board member, she has played a role in change for District 89. She was instrumental in the creation of the Parent Advisory Council referenced in answer to question 8. I imagine that my influence on the community has already been ongoing as I have been a member of the Board for some years now. Some of which was as Board President where I direct the board’s conversation and lead the board meetings. My vote along with those of fellow board members has led to various initiatives that have changed the education for the students of the District for the better. Some of the changes that have occurred during my tenure include: the model for the District went from solely elementary schools to middle schools & primary grade schools, special education children that were served by a third-party were brought back to District 89 schools as part of the dedication to inclusiveness, one-to-one technology for students was prioritized, the District’s financial rating has reached the highest level possible for a school district, and we have fostered partnerships with agencies and stakeholders in all of our three communities such as coat drives, school supply donations, most recently vaccine clinic with Jewel Osco to vaccinate the most vulnerable members of the communities we serve.   

10. Educational and business leaders have begun to use a "cradle-to-career" framework when talking about education. Please discuss the role of District 89 within the “cradle-to-career” framework. 

District 89’s role in a “cradle-to-career” framework is ensuring they have resources available to support children. These resources are in place at District 89. An example of resources is the program that provides free breakfast and lunch to the students of the District, which incidentally continued during the remote learning that took place this last year. The District also partners with the high school district and local colleges in the area.  

11. What lessons learned from the implementation of remote and hybrid learning during the pandemic do you believe will be applicable going forward, even after the pandemic abates? 

To be clear, District 89 had put in place e-learning days prior to the pandemic which afforded the District with the option to have students learn remotely while avoiding losing a day of instruction for days students could not be in person such as election days. However, the pandemic caused the District to use e-learning on a more consistent basis. One issue that arose was the lack of accessibility to internet for some of the students. Upon request, families were provided mobile hotspots for internet access. Certainly, the daily implementation of remote learning during this time has given the District more experience to continue to utilize e-learning as an alternative when necessary in the future.  

12. Special education is mandated by federal law. How will you set up structures to ensure ongoing concerns of families engaged with special education are addressed? What do you believe are the biggest issues facing families and children with special needs, and how will you work to see their needs are met?

Structures to address special education are in place at District 89 which include but are not limited to programs like: Resource program to afford small-group learning for certain subjects,  Speech/Language Therapy, Deaf & Hard of Hearing program, integrated Pre-school for All which blends teachers and clinicians in one setting to plan and implement routines, and the Rise program, Stride program, and Stars program which all address low incidence disabilities. One of the biggest issues facing families is identification of special education needs. District 89 has a screening process to assess the appropriate services and resources. Parents may request an evaluation, or a student may be referred for special education.  

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[The above answers were supplied on 2/25/21.]