One tangible change I want to make is to address the critical issue of literacy. The sad fact in Nevada is that over 60% of our children are not reading at grade level. This issue needs to be addressed immediately. Literacy is a civil right for our students, and I want to make sure we do everything in our power to shrink this number. We need to use high-quality curriculum and materials and provide teachers with ongoing professional development. I believe in holding schools accountable while also giving them the support they need to improve. Additionally, I will fight for equitable funding across all schools to meet the unique needs of each region. Many of our rural schools face challenges that need to be addressed.

Every student and educator deserves to feel safe at school. I will work to promote a positive culture that prioritizes social and emotional well-being and prevents violence and bullying. By focusing on high-quality education, safe environments, and equitable resources, we can make a significant difference in the educational outcomes for all students in Nevada.

I believe that student voices are essential in shaping the future of education in our state. To ensure that students are heard and can advocate for themselves effectively, I plan to implement several key strategies:

Open Door Policy: As a member of the State Board of Education, I will maintain an open door policy, inviting students to share their concerns, ideas, and suggestions directly with me. This approach ensures that every student feels welcome to voice their opinions and knows that their input is valued.

Dedicated Student Forums: I will work together with other Board Members, including the student representative, to implement regular student forums and listening sessions in various regions or through online conferencing, where students can come together to discuss their educational experiences and challenges. These forums will provide a platform for students to speak openly about their needs and aspirations.

Board Meeting Participation: I will ensure that our Board meetings have designated times for student input, allowing them to present their concerns and suggestions. By making student participation a standard part of our agenda, we reinforce the importance of their perspectives in our decision-making.

Collaboration with Student Organizations: I would very much like to more actively collaborate with existing student organizations and councils within schools to gather insights and promote student involvement. As a former student council advisor, I know how powerful and innovative student voices can be. By working together, we can ensure that student voices are heard at every level of the education system.

At the end of the day, education is all about the children. By fostering an environment where students feel empowered to speak up and advocate for themselves and their peers, we can create a more responsive and inclusive educational system that truly meets their needs.

I believe that while standardized testing has its place in assessing certain academic benchmarks, an overreliance on these tests can be detrimental to students’ overall learning experience. At Doral Academy, the school I run, we prioritize integrating various methods of learning to cater to different student needs and strengths. We employ an artistic approach to education, which goes beyond the traditional means of standardized testing to include diverse and creative learning experiences. Standardized tests do absolutely provide useful data – especially the way we have structured standardized tests in elementary and middle schools – but we must be mindful of their limitations and the potential negative impacts they can have on students, such as increased stress, narrowed curricula, and the overshadowing of other important skills and areas of learning. To balance the need for assessment with these concerns, I propose encouraging schools to implement a broad range of assessment methods, such as project-based learning, portfolios, and performance assessments, that allow students to demonstrate their understanding and skills in varied and meaningful ways that add to our understanding of the important data from standardized assessments. Additionally, emphasizing formative assessments that provide ongoing feedback during the learning process can guide instruction and support student growth without the high stakes associated with standardized tests. Encouraging schools to adopt teaching methods that align with their unique educational philosophies, as we do at Doral Academy, helps students engage with the material creatively and critically, fostering a deeper understanding and love for learning. It is crucial to ensure that when standardized tests are used, they are interpreted within the broader context of a student’s overall performance and circumstances, providing a more comprehensive picture of a student’s abilities and progress. Prioritizing the well-being of students by reducing the pressure associated with standardized testing can be achieved with social emotional learning targeting anxiety and by ensuring that teachers have data literacy and also do not suffer from undue stress of the tests. By integrating these strategies, we can create a more balanced and effective assessment system that recognizes and nurtures the diverse talents and potentials of all students. Education should be about fostering a love for learning and preparing students for all aspects of life, not just their ability to perform on standardized tests.

Creating a safe and supportive environment for all students is a priority. My focus will be on promoting acceptance and understanding within our schools. This starts with fostering a culture that values diversity and encourages open dialogue about different cultures, religions, and identities. It is important to me that teachers are trained in how to productively increase student voice every day in the classroom. At my school, we have a “no-hands” policy so that teachers can ensure that every day every student through all courses are participating at high levels. This leads to greater efficacy in using one’s voice and participating in other areas of school life.

Training teachers and staff on inclusive practices is essential. By equipping educators with the right tools, we can ensure every student feels respected. Implementing programs that celebrate diversity will help students from all backgrounds feel welcomed.

Clear policies against discrimination and bullying are crucial. Providing safe spaces and resources for students who need extra support, like LGBTQ+ students, will help them thrive. Ultimately, our goal is to promote a sense of belonging where differences are celebrated, helping every student succeed both academically and personally.

The most important thing I bring to the State Board of Education is a passion for improving education across our state and total dedication to our diverse student body. I have been an educator for 24 years in a career that spans every grade level K-12 as well as university undergraduate and graduate courses. I taught U.S. History and American Government, Law, Media, and was a Leadership/Student Council Advisor. I also worked at the District offices in Washoe County writing curriculum and providing in-depth professional learning to teachers for nine years. In addition, I taught three different education courses over eight years to seniors and graduate students at the University of Nevada, Reno. Currently, I am the proud principal of Doral Academy of Northern Nevada, a K-8 public charter school with 100 students. I have also founded and served on several non-profits, most notably founding the Nevada Center for Civic Engagement, which promotes civic education in schools with programs like We the People, History Day, and Project Citizen. I know what it’s like to be on the front lines of education and have seen the results of many initiatives and regulations. I care deeply about our teachers, staff, and students and want to not only improve academic outcomes but also ensure safety and a positive culture at all schools.