Why I'm Running
Our education system has experienced drastic changes in recent years. Although we’re a few years removed from the pandemic, we’re still seeing its impact in classrooms today. We’re dealing with a teacher shortage that directly impacts our district’s ability to recruit and retain talent.
Unfortunately, these issues can be detrimental to students’ education. There are too many students struggling with reading comprehension and math. I also want to ensure that kids who need extra support and attention are given the resources they need. Our kids deserve an education that provides college and career readiness.
As a school district, I believe we need to focus our efforts to address concerns by keeping our focus solely on our community. That should be our priority. I’m worried about national political debate and divisive talking points seeping into our policy, communications, and day-to-day operations at a local level.
In this environment, I believe our education professionals need the support of their neighbors more than ever. We should rally behind a simple message: the professionals who serve our children and families deserve our trust and backing.
To do anything less is shortsighted. It’s in Billings’ best interest to be an attractive home for teachers, librarians, admin, support roles, and anyone else the district employs. It’s financially irresponsible to be a “revolving door” in the midst of a teacher shortage, and we should do our best to recruit education professionals who can excel in our schools.
Billings may be Montana’s largest city, and it is home to the state’s largest school district, but that doesn’t mean we can’t look to each other, our neighbors, to find common sense solutions as a community. I believe Billings is at its best when it feels like a big, small town.
Unfortunately, these issues can be detrimental to students’ education. There are too many students struggling with reading comprehension and math. I also want to ensure that kids who need extra support and attention are given the resources they need. Our kids deserve an education that provides college and career readiness.
As a school district, I believe we need to focus our efforts to address concerns by keeping our focus solely on our community. That should be our priority. I’m worried about national political debate and divisive talking points seeping into our policy, communications, and day-to-day operations at a local level.
In this environment, I believe our education professionals need the support of their neighbors more than ever. We should rally behind a simple message: the professionals who serve our children and families deserve our trust and backing.
To do anything less is shortsighted. It’s in Billings’ best interest to be an attractive home for teachers, librarians, admin, support roles, and anyone else the district employs. It’s financially irresponsible to be a “revolving door” in the midst of a teacher shortage, and we should do our best to recruit education professionals who can excel in our schools.
Billings may be Montana’s largest city, and it is home to the state’s largest school district, but that doesn’t mean we can’t look to each other, our neighbors, to find common sense solutions as a community. I believe Billings is at its best when it feels like a big, small town.
Issues I Care About
- Helping Students Develop a Love for Reading: One of the best things we can do for our kids, and their education, is to instill a love and appreciation for reading. Our conversations and policy should work in tandem to support literacy and developing a healthy relationship with reading
- Supporting Athletics & Extracurriculars: Billings is home to some of the state’s best athletic and extracurricular programs. We’ll continue to support our student-athletes, but there are areas where we need to direct our attention. Daylis Stadium and burgeoning programs, like baseball and e-sports, are important to keep top-of-mind
- Technology’s Role in Our District & Classrooms: Modern technologies, such as smartphones, chromebooks, and LLMs (AI technologies) are incredible tools. Although, without proper policies in place regarding their use, these can be detrimental to a student’s critical thinking skills and cause an overreliance on their use. We need to have more proactive conversations about technology’s role in our classrooms, and we shouldn’t be afraid to default to tried and true approaches if necessary
- Advocacy for Billings: Billings and our school district face unique challenges, and when we have opportunities to seek solutions with Montanan leaders and lawmakers, we need to advocate for our city
