What are your top goals?
My top goals are to make sure I build relationships, and when you build relationships, you’ve got to be consistent, genuine, and make sure you really care about the people, and I want to make sure no child is left behind. I want every child to be successful, whether they decide to go into a trade school or are college bound.
What are the biggest issues that you think the schools are facing?
I think the biggest issues they’re facing right now is budget and being able to maintain teachers due to budget cuts and certification issues. That’s the major problem that I see in the schools today.
What are some changes you’d like to make?
Well, some changes that I’d like to make if I’m elected is I want to make sure the teachers and the students have a well rounded classroom, and it’s well managed and safe for them to be in.
What are some things you think schools are doing well?
Number one, we’re an “A” district, and I hope we continue to be that way and continue to talk about the budget, and try to keep challenges out of the way of the budget.
What are some things the school board currently does that you’d like to maintain going forward?
Continue to address budget challenges and support hands-on learning.
What experience do you bring to the office that wil help if you’re elected?
Well, I’ve been in the classroom almost 40 years, and I really think I am really qualified to hold this position, because I do have the experience.
What makes you the best candidate?
Well, what makes me the best candidate for this race is a rooted in Gilchrist County, and shaped, and I have been here in the system almost four decades, and so I bring quite a bit of experience to the table.
Is there anything that we haven’t talked about that you feel like everyone need to know?
Well, this is one thing no one knows. I am the first African-American to ever run for this position, and I’m elated to be able to do that. And a couple years ago, I was awarded the J. Min Ayers Achievement Award. I was inducted into the Hall of Fame for the City of Trenton, and I was Teacher of the year twice.