Views on Education
in the Pittston Area Community
Thank you to all who came out to support the campaign and have a BLAST! The Red Mill staff were super and the food, fun, and laughter made all the hard work worthwhile! For those who were unable to attend or were afraid to affiliate yourself with me publicly due to fear of retaliation, I wanted to share the speech given with all of you in the name of authenticity.
What do you think of when you think of school? For a moment, peer into your memory to recall your educational experience.
Do you think of the smell of books, sharpened pencils, desks, crayons and glue, dinging bells, buses, painting pictures, playing the recorder, and playgrounds that made you feel powerful? Do you think of caring teachers, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, maintenance workers, principals, and librarians? These are the things and people I associate with school. I also think of the many friends that accompanied me in classes throughout my career as a student. A boy with hemophilia, two girls who were hearing impaired, a boy with fetal alcohol syndrome, and one who was blind. Many friends, even more acquaintances, and a few classmates I’d rather not “friend” on Facebook, if you know what I mean. I don’t know about you, but my experiences in school were pretty good. I loved most of my teachers, learned a lot, and have pleasant memories of laughter, dissecting crayfish, playing in sports, singing in chorus, playing in the marching band, wearing big hair, learning complex concepts, and just working hard.
Without a doubt, my educational experiences in preschool through 12th grade formed my love of learning and helped me to appreciate education. That love of education has followed me through a bachelor’s degree at Mansfield University, a certification program to teach elementary students in the state of Texas, a Master of Education degree with Cameron University in Early Childhood Education, and a Doctor of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Liberty University. In fact, I love school so much, I have spent the vast majority of my career working in a school as an educator or administrator.
That love of learning and teaching continues today with my role as a faculty member at Wilkes University in their Educational Leadership program. Not only do I have the privilege of working with high caliber, brilliant colleagues, but I also get to spend my semesters working with principals, superintendents, professionals in higher education, and those in the business of education in some capacity. You see my students are becoming stronger educational leaders. I am an educational leader. I can think of no greater privilege than to serve in the capacity of educational leader for the children of Pittston Area as a school board member.
About 10 years ago, my family and I moved to Duryea to find a better educational experience for our children. Their previous district was in upheaval and they were no longer treated as individuals, nor valued in their classrooms. As an educator, it can be a curse when you know best practices, and then witness your own children being subject to anything but best practice. We moved to Pittston because we saw best practices in action. We visited Theresa LoBrutto’s classroom and saw how our 2nd grade daughter would be interacting with peers in small groups, teaching our daughter to blossom socially, and helping her to learn to articulate for herself. We learned more about “looping”,"cohorts", and other innovations that were taking place in the Primary Center. We fell in love with Denise Allardyce as my son’s teacher, and were thrilled when, in two years, she also became the teacher for our daughter. We moved to Pittston Area because we saw potential and appreciated the innovations that were taking place. We also appreciated the relationships built with our children and how they were valued for the individuals that they are.
Now, for a moment, I’d like for you to imagine what our students experience in our schools in Pittston Area today.
• Funding cuts to curriculum, supplies, and programs due to strapped budgets that padded the pockets of school administrators on the backs of our children
• Students changing classes as early as 2nd and 3rd grade and not knowing where to go, who to befriend, or even the name of the many teachers encountered throughout the day
• Not knowing what to do after high school, what to study in college, where to attend college, or next steps in the college application process because guidance counsellors are strapped for time with exorbitant caseloads
• Large class sizes that not only deplete the energy and resources of educators, but leave students without the personal learning experiences that they deserve
• School board members making decisions based on hearsay or backroom deals instead of using quality as the reason to decide on programs and services
It is for all of these reasons and more that I have decided to seek out a seat on the Pittston Area School Board. This decision has not been an easy one, as working tirelessly for an unpaid position that puts one in the “line of fire” might be considered crazy to some. At first, I also wondered if I was crazy to even consider this run. It didn’t take long, however, for me to recall my fight to help bring music back to Pittston Area. My thoughts turned to the children. Who is here for them? Teachers are working hard and there is very little representation on the board that is educated in the matters of education. Children deserve to have the most qualified faculty educating them every day, not people being hired merely because of their last name, bank account, or social status. Our children deserve the best! The only way to make that happen is to bring a voice to the school board that knows what “best” is.
Please remember to vote. ONLY vote for me, as voting for me along with other candidates virtually cancels out the vote. If you are seeking change and what is best for children, vote for me on May 16th and November 7th. I appreciate your support, your well-wishes, and your vote.
What do you think of when you think of school? For a moment, peer into your memory to recall your educational experience.
Do you think of the smell of books, sharpened pencils, desks, crayons and glue, dinging bells, buses, painting pictures, playing the recorder, and playgrounds that made you feel powerful? Do you think of caring teachers, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, maintenance workers, principals, and librarians? These are the things and people I associate with school. I also think of the many friends that accompanied me in classes throughout my career as a student. A boy with hemophilia, two girls who were hearing impaired, a boy with fetal alcohol syndrome, and one who was blind. Many friends, even more acquaintances, and a few classmates I’d rather not “friend” on Facebook, if you know what I mean. I don’t know about you, but my experiences in school were pretty good. I loved most of my teachers, learned a lot, and have pleasant memories of laughter, dissecting crayfish, playing in sports, singing in chorus, playing in the marching band, wearing big hair, learning complex concepts, and just working hard.
Without a doubt, my educational experiences in preschool through 12th grade formed my love of learning and helped me to appreciate education. That love of education has followed me through a bachelor’s degree at Mansfield University, a certification program to teach elementary students in the state of Texas, a Master of Education degree with Cameron University in Early Childhood Education, and a Doctor of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Liberty University. In fact, I love school so much, I have spent the vast majority of my career working in a school as an educator or administrator.
That love of learning and teaching continues today with my role as a faculty member at Wilkes University in their Educational Leadership program. Not only do I have the privilege of working with high caliber, brilliant colleagues, but I also get to spend my semesters working with principals, superintendents, professionals in higher education, and those in the business of education in some capacity. You see my students are becoming stronger educational leaders. I am an educational leader. I can think of no greater privilege than to serve in the capacity of educational leader for the children of Pittston Area as a school board member.
About 10 years ago, my family and I moved to Duryea to find a better educational experience for our children. Their previous district was in upheaval and they were no longer treated as individuals, nor valued in their classrooms. As an educator, it can be a curse when you know best practices, and then witness your own children being subject to anything but best practice. We moved to Pittston because we saw best practices in action. We visited Theresa LoBrutto’s classroom and saw how our 2nd grade daughter would be interacting with peers in small groups, teaching our daughter to blossom socially, and helping her to learn to articulate for herself. We learned more about “looping”,"cohorts", and other innovations that were taking place in the Primary Center. We fell in love with Denise Allardyce as my son’s teacher, and were thrilled when, in two years, she also became the teacher for our daughter. We moved to Pittston Area because we saw potential and appreciated the innovations that were taking place. We also appreciated the relationships built with our children and how they were valued for the individuals that they are.
Now, for a moment, I’d like for you to imagine what our students experience in our schools in Pittston Area today.
• Funding cuts to curriculum, supplies, and programs due to strapped budgets that padded the pockets of school administrators on the backs of our children
• Students changing classes as early as 2nd and 3rd grade and not knowing where to go, who to befriend, or even the name of the many teachers encountered throughout the day
• Not knowing what to do after high school, what to study in college, where to attend college, or next steps in the college application process because guidance counsellors are strapped for time with exorbitant caseloads
• Large class sizes that not only deplete the energy and resources of educators, but leave students without the personal learning experiences that they deserve
• School board members making decisions based on hearsay or backroom deals instead of using quality as the reason to decide on programs and services
It is for all of these reasons and more that I have decided to seek out a seat on the Pittston Area School Board. This decision has not been an easy one, as working tirelessly for an unpaid position that puts one in the “line of fire” might be considered crazy to some. At first, I also wondered if I was crazy to even consider this run. It didn’t take long, however, for me to recall my fight to help bring music back to Pittston Area. My thoughts turned to the children. Who is here for them? Teachers are working hard and there is very little representation on the board that is educated in the matters of education. Children deserve to have the most qualified faculty educating them every day, not people being hired merely because of their last name, bank account, or social status. Our children deserve the best! The only way to make that happen is to bring a voice to the school board that knows what “best” is.
Please remember to vote. ONLY vote for me, as voting for me along with other candidates virtually cancels out the vote. If you are seeking change and what is best for children, vote for me on May 16th and November 7th. I appreciate your support, your well-wishes, and your vote.
Messages from
4.28.17 Support the PTO. They work so hard to provide for the students of Pittston Area!
4.22.17 Credentials and abilities should count more than who someone knows or is related to. I don't have any family in the area, so I have no hidden agenda to hire anyone. 4.12.17 The only way to change this is to change leaders. I am that change. First, I will listen intently to concerns raised by families so that we are truly serving the public honorably. Second, I will work with administration to find ways that there can be additional support for SAT preparation during the school day and/or extra-curricularly for students. Third, I would love to see teachers empowered to do what they most likely desire-to teach students content in innovative and creative ways so that students are more motivated and engaged. Application of knowledge and ways that integrate higher order thinking skills can help bring knowledge from memorization to real learning that will help students on the SAT and in life. 4.1.17 Isn't it interesting that as soon as a woman decides to run for school board and fight for our children, she gets attacked by bullies on social media? No other school board candidate has had to potentially alienate half of the voting population by affiliating with a political party to run. The reason candidates for this position are able to "cross file" (run in both parties) is because the issues that school boards confront CROSS party lines. There is no republican or democrat issue. Instead there are issues with rising class sizes, plummeting SAT scores, misappropriation of funds, nepotism, lack of support for teachers, etc. in the Pittston Area School District.
I wonder why this is such an issue now when it hasn't been for others running for this office? Being a woman with an education and background in the fields of education and leadership shouldn't be a reason to target someone with attacks. It should, instead, be a reason to VOTE for someone because she has the knowledge, skills, and vision to see how our district could improve. Unfortunately, bullies are everywhere. I can handle fighting to run for this office because I care that much about our kids and our future. Won't you join me in this fight? Come join me on April 21st to help support this campaign, learn more about each other, and have a little fun! Together we can fight bullies and corruption to make our district one that we can be proud of again! 3.28.17 "It doesn't need to cost more to raise children who are helpful and kind. Children need champions to raise them, educate them, and fight for them to get a quality education. Who's with me? We need to focus on our children again." 3.18.17 "I saw this on a walk this morning and thought it was representative of my running in this race. The shovel represents me and the work to be done, and the snow represents the need for change on the school board. The snow pile may be great in size, but with diligent work and you partnering with me, we can help Pittston Area improve. There are great educators working hard everyday in PA! Please elect me, so I can help them help students!" |