My vision for our schools:
Strengths-Focused Education = A Bright Future for Every Child
A strengths-focused education teaches to our students’ strengths without letting their challenges limit their potential. Instead of focusing on what our students *can’t* do, we need to start focusing on what they *can* do, meeting their needs along the way. Meeting their needs is the floor. Fostering strengths is the sky. We must ensure all students have the skills to succeed on their chosen path.
What does that mean?
Excellent Education for All
Well Rounded Curriculum Designed for 21st Century Success
Inclusive, Safe, and Welcoming Schools
Collaborative School Communities
Consistent Excellence - No matter who you are, what program you are in, or where you live, you receive Fairfax County’s world class education
Innovation with a strong foundation: Teaching students to be the leaders and creators of tomorrow
Welcoming and inclusive environment
Strategic and equitable use of resources and effective solutions to fund world class facilities and reduce class sizes
Collaboration and transparency with students, staff, and families
Ensure access to advanced academics and enrichment
Targeted intervention to close gaps, address learning loss, and ensure strong early numeracy and literacy
Strong and high quality instruction and programs for critical populations with long standing gaps such special education students, English language learners, and students who qualify for free and reduced price meals, and more
Expand access to pre-K and teach strong foundational skills
Strong academics alongside with artistic exploration, workforce development, career and technical education, STEM, sustainability and civics education
Teach students to think critically, communicate effectively, work collaboratively, solve problems, and have strong executive functioning “learn to learn” skills
Multiple paths to success based on student strengths
Data driven and innovative best practices designed for the 21st century world
Fight book bans and censorship and teach accurate and reflective history
Address overcrowded schools and reduce class sizes
Enhance safety and security measures in a welcoming atmosphere
Mental health support, positive behavioral intervention, trauma informed education, substance abuse prevention, addressing bullying, gun violence prevention
All students, staff, and families respected, supported, welcomed, and included, regardless of gender identity, disability, neurodiversity, race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, native language, or immigration status
Training, support & best practices programming for students with disabilities across all settings, accountability for IEP/504 implementation, and better support for social and academic inclusion and elective access.
Seamless transitions and support for our military connected youth
Protecting LGBTQIA+ students
Engaging families and promoting strong relationships between administrators, educators, students, & families
Community partnerships to expand career and technical opportunities and community schools with wraparound services
Keeping students in their communities and ensuring strong schools for all
Pay raises, balanced workloads, and a respectful environment for educators
A school system known for its green energy and sustainability programs
Build strong relationships with Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and state and federal to advocate for funding and resources for our schools
Quality Education
for
All Students
Equity of access, equity of resources, and equity of opportunity is vital to fulfilling the One Fairfax Promise of a high quality education for ALL, with an opportunity for all students to succeed. Strategic and equitable use of resources is vital to closing these gaps and providing all our students the high-quality education for which FCPS is renowned. With the changing demographics in Fairfax County, we must ensure our teachers, administrators, and staff are trained in understanding and meeting the needs of ALL the populations they serve. This is especially true for some of our most vulnerable populations and those with the biggest disparities in outcomes such as our students with disabilities, ELL students, students of color, and students living in poverty. We must also ensure all students have access to rigorous coursework and enrichment and to the mental health supports. We must expand pre-K programs to ensure a strong start for all.
Valuing
Our
Teachers
Our teachers and staff must feel valued and supported so we retain our world class educators. Competitive pay and benefits are crucial but that is just a start. We need to ensure all our schools create a positive working environment that fosters collaboration, transparency and respect, where teachers feel comfortable speaking and feel their voices are heard. And I will work to make sure our teachers and staff receive the training AND implementation support they need so they can give our kids the education they deserve. I am proud that as Chair of the School Board, I led efforts to pass collective bargaining, giving our educators a seat at our table and I will continue to work hard to address pay and workload concerns.
Valuing Student Strengths
Each child deserves a strong and holistic education that will prepare them to be citizens in the 21st century – academics balanced with collaboration and communication skills – while allowing them to pursue their own strengths and interests. We need to ensure our students have a robust civics education so they can be informed participants in our democracy. Our schools should foster all types of interest, whether it be academic, artistic, career and technical, or vocational. We must provide multiple pathways to success, which includes strong academics, workforce development, and STEAM to give each child the chance to find the path best for them. Our students’ challenges should not limit their potential. Every child, regardless of who they are, are equally worthy and equally capable of writing their own life story. Our job is to give them the tools to do so so they can fulfill their potential and thrive.
Being Good Stewards
We have to be stewards of our schools AND good citizens in our community. That means using our resources wisely, strategically, and with an eye to preserving our planet’s future. I will work to bring green energy solutions to our schools.
Strengths-Focused Holistic Education for All
My immigrant parents taught me American dream belongs to us all equally, regardless of race, disability status, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, language, or whether you were born here or came from somewhere else. As a first generation American, I understand the immigrant experience and also understand what it means to be a citizen of our great democracy. Education is how my parents were able to come to the United States, seeking a better life for my brother and me. A strong public education system is the great equalizer, giving everyone the chance to gain the skills to thrive. All our children deserve a strengths-focused and holistic education that prepares them for the 21st century world.