To the editor:
It is time for a new voice to be heard and I am seeking the support of the Englewood residents to become that voice. My goal as a member of the Englewood Board of Education will be to make sure the students receive a high quality education throughout the district.
I believe the children of Englewood deserve an educational experience that both the children and the parents can be proud of. The current state of the district school system is unacceptable and we are letting our children down, academically and developmentally. It will be my focus to make sure that these issues are purposefully addressed to ensure a positive change in support of the children of Englewood.
I want to address the following issues facing our district:
• Putting our children first;
• Improving sustainability and accountability in the district;
• Increasing community advisory and engagement;
• Improving test scores and pass rates of high school students;
• Improving the conditions surrounding long term substitute teachers throughout the district; • Improving the educational preparation disparities for students entering high school.
As an alumnus of the Englewood School System (Lincoln School, Janis E. Dismus Middle School and Dwight Morrow High School) and as a 45-year resident, I have a vested interest in the welfare of Englewood’s educational condition.
I have two children in the Englewood School system. I am on the frontlines of their educational development and there are much needed changes to be made to the current state of schools in Englewood. I would like to be a change agent towards the restoration of Englewood’s school system.
As a registered nurse, I have a commitment to improving health outcomes. This is the same obligation I have to improve the educational outcomes for the children of Englewood. I have been educated in areas of healthcare administration, financial management, quality improvement and information technology. I possess characteristics that would provide value to the Board of Education, such as willingness to engage in decision-making processes, inter-professional teamwork and developing strong relationships with the community.
Overall, my professional and educational background qualifies me to be a positive addition to the Board of Education in Englewood. After graduating from Dwight Morrow High School in 1991, I attended and graduated from Rutgers University (BA), Lehman College (MS) and The Graduate Center (CUNY) (PhD). The diverse student population and the assortment of faculty at Dwight Morrow High School (1987-1991); the principal, teachers, guidance counselors, disciplinarians and the clerical staff prepared me with a robust education, along with life skills that prepared me for my educational journey. I am proud to be a graduate of the Englewood School system.
I want the children of Englewood to find the same delight in their educational experience that I had the opportunity to experience. I will dedicate time to advocate for our children and their future by improving the educational foundation the district provides to ensure our children are viable participants in the national workforce.