My Priorities for Eden Prairie Schools

 

Every Student Should Be Challenged, Supported, and Set Up to Thrive

 

As a parent, I want my children—and every child in Eden Prairie—to have the opportunity to reach their full potential. That means recognizing that every student learns differently and making sure there are meaningful pathways for students at every academic level.

 

We need to expand opportunities for enrichment, including stronger math opportunities in middle school, while also making sure students who are struggling receive support early. Our existing Multi-Tiered Systems of Support can be strengthened so teachers can identify challenges sooner, connect students with the right resources, and measure whether those interventions are working.

 

I believe strongly in meeting children where they are. When students are appropriately challenged, supported, and engaged, they are more likely to thrive academically and feel connected to their school.

 

Support Teachers and Create a Safe, Consistent Learning Environment

 

Eden Prairie has amazing teachers, and retaining that talent needs to be a priority. Teachers should know that their voices matter and that they have the support they need to do their jobs well. I would advocate for stronger mentorship for new teachers, especially during their first three years, along with more opportunities for teachers to openly share concerns with district leadership and the School Board.

 

Student behavior is closely connected to this issue. Expectations and consequences should be clear, objective, consistent, and applied equitably across our schools. Teachers should not have to wonder whether disruptive or dangerous behavior will be addressed differently from one school to another.

 

Every child deserves to feel safe at school, and every teacher deserves a classroom where they can teach. When we create that environment, students are better able to learn and teachers are better able to succeed.

 

Responsible, Transparent Leadership

 

The School Board has a responsibility to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to us. I believe the best way to demonstrate a strong return on investment is to focus relentlessly on whether our programs are helping students grow.

 

That means identifying problems early, understanding what is driving them, investing in solutions, measuring whether those solutions work, and adjusting when they don’t. We should continuously evaluate our programs and processes rather than assuming that something is working simply because we have always done it.

 

Just as importantly, the School Board needs to be more accessible and transparent. Parents, teachers, students, and taxpayers should understand what decisions are being made, why they are being made, and how those decisions affect our schools. I want to create more opportunities to listen directly to our community and make sure people feel heard.

 

A School Community Where Every Child Belongs

 

Every child deserves the opportunity to come to school, learn, and be treated with dignity and respect. Children come from different backgrounds and have different needs, and we need to recognize and address the barriers that can stand in the way of learning.

 

That includes making sure students have access to mental and emotional health resources when they need them and that concerns about a child’s wellbeing are addressed early. It also means ensuring that students are protected from bullying, violence, and other threats to their physical and emotional safety.

 

Whatever adults may think about politics or difficult issues in our community, children should not be put in the middle. Our focus should be on helping every student feel supported, safe, respected, and able to learn.

 

I’m running because I believe we can leave Eden Prairie Schools stronger than we found them—and because I want my children and every child in our community to have the opportunity to thrive.