Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

As a mother and a PTA board member I know it is essential that the state fully meet its constitutional responsibility to adequately fund K through 12 education. Unfortunately, budgets adopted by the General Assembly exacerbate the stresses on state and local K through 12 partnerships. Teachers have lost autonomy in the classroom and students are learning how to take standardized multiple-choice tests instead of being able to focus on critical thinking and problem solving. Lawmakers in Richmond continue to block legislation that would allow localities to set start times before Labor Day. This significantly limits the time students have to prepare for their Advanced Placement exams, which handicaps them as tests are scheduled nationwide.

As the Education Aid for Supervisor John Foust I worked with Dranesville District schools and nonprofits to help find ways to serve children in places there were deficits. I worked to provide food for children over the weekend, held shoe drives and spent numerous hours as a volunteer in my daughter's school, advocating for all students.

I also worked closely with the Unified Prevention Coalition as a parent and a representative of Supervisor Foust. As Parent Education chair I organized events and programs to discuss ways to prevent alcohol and drug abuse with our teens, the importance of sleep and stress management, and the overall health and wellness of our students.

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