Back to the basics
We have this game we play with the kids at dinnertime (or suppertime, if you’re from Minnesota), called Table Topics. Well, less a game and more of a way to spark family conversation, it’s especially helpful with teens when they are in the phase of just “Yes/No/I don’t know” replies.
One question I remember went something like “if you could be a teenager in any decade, which decade would you choose?” My son went first and he said, “probably the early 2000’s because we had the internet, but we didn’t have social media”.
Mic drop.
The discussion that followed was enlightening and it reminded me, which often happens, that my kids are pretty insightful.
When I was a young, stay at home, working mom, I used social media as an outlet and a place to connect. Living at the top of the Winter Park Highlands with two small kids, especially in the middle of the winter, could be pretty isolating. So social media became a way for me to stay connected to my and Tim’s friends and family; to share photos and funny stories of the kids as they grew.
In the early days, it was a positive place to “spend time” with people, near and far. Of course, this has changed. Because of what and how I share on social media, my pages have always been private to those I know - old childhood and school friends, family, old and new Grand County friends; you get the idea.
I don’t use social media the way that I used to, but I still consider it a safe enough place to share our lives with others; to celebrate our wins and lament our losses with the people we choose to share with.
But back to Joey’s insightful observation- he unfortunately only knows the social media of today; the one that is often weaponized and used to belittle, mock and twist words to fit a narrative.
I created a website for my campaign that I am very proud of. The goal was to use it as a means to communicate why I am the best choice for EGSD School Board. I think I’ve done that by showcasing my experience, goals, people who have endorsed my character, my work ethic and my love of this community and by sharing my perspectives by writing in this blog.
But let’s get back to the basics here, because so much can be lost in the narratives created on social media.
I think teachers have some of the hardest and least rewarded jobs in our country. I will support teachers.
We live in a high rent, low pay area, making it difficult to attract and retain our teachers. I will work with community leaders to help find solutions for teachers to secure safe and affordable housing.
We are losing students to online learning - I will investigate the various reasons for this and help to create a school culture that kids want to belong to.
I will vote for curriculum changes that support academic rigor and excellence and reward students and teachers who promote the same.
I will support policies that protect all of our students. Unfortunately, some students don’t always feel safe at home, whether they have food insecurity or difficult relationships - I want children to walk into the doors of our schools and feel protected. Our schools should work collaboratively with families, students, teachers and administration to find the best solutions to achieve this.
I will work hard to understand budget issues that are unique to our rural schools and help offer solutions while keeping our students, teachers and staff at the forefront of the conversation.
But most of all, I will stay open and willing to learn. I will listen to all sides, consider all arguments, and make careful and measured decisions based on the information provided.
If elected, I know I will have a lot to learn about the inner workings of a school district and I wholeheartedly welcome the challenge.
Please reach out to me through my website if you’d like to connect - actual connection is the most effective way for us to understand one another.
*And finally, a dear friend of mine and I like to make fun of each other for our early Facebook posts. In the spirit of this, I thought I would share my very first Facebook post from 2008. Enjoy.
