Marin County needs an educational system that cherishes, inspires, and empowers every student in Marin County.

Safety First!

We are in a pandemic, and ensuring the safety of students, teachers, and families must be the first priority when making decisions about school reopening. That means following guidance from public health officials, ensuring schools can sustain low class sizes, social distancing and sanitation requirements. We also need to listen to teachers when they express their comfort levels for returning to in-person education and their thoughts on what is or is not possible do implement in a classroom. With schools across the country being forced to shut down again soon after reopening, it is important that we are thorough and purposeful with any reopening plans. It is also critical that we do not sacrifice building a high-quality distance learning model while navigating the ever-changing nature of this pandemic.

Educational equity.

COVID-19 is exacerbating the impacts of racial and economic inequities in Marin County, which was already deemed the most racially inequitable county in the state. Students of color and low income students are often not able to access the resources that other families can. Thus, schools must actively account for disparities in access when making plans for reopening — and when reorienting their programs after the pandemic is over. I will advocate for the needs of our most vulnerable students every step of the way as the Office of Education develops recommendations for reopening plans. Additionally, Marin’s Black and Indigenous People of Color communities have been advocating for decades to make our educational system supportive to their children. I will ensure the Board looks to the wisdom of these communities for guidance when making plans for the future.

Prioritizing Student Wellbeing.

Marin students have some of the highest rates of depression and anxiety of any county in the state of California. The most recent California Healthy Kids Survey showed that a staggering 44% of 11th grade girls reported feeling consistently sad or hopeless over the course of a year. As a provider who facilitates support groups in Marin schools, I know how critical school-based support services are for students who face transportation barriers, lack of parental support, and other barriers to accessing services outside of school. We know that students must feel safe and secure in order for them to effectively learn new information. Thus, during the collective trauma of COVID-19 especially, it is imperative that Marin schools prioritize the wellbeing of our young people.

Diversify hiring practices and curriculums.

Many students don’t encounter a teacher who looks like them until high school or beyond! Schools have an obligation to hire teachers from diverse backgrounds — Black, Indigenous, people of color teachers, LGBTQ+ teachers, and teachers with disabilities. Once these teachers are hired, schools must ensure they are well supported so they don’t get burnt out.

Additionally, it is critical that students are taught factual, culturally competent curriculum that uplifts diverse voices. Following the lead of students of color highlighting the need for narratives that represent their experiences, I will ensure the Office of Education supports teachers in doing this work.

Empower teachers.

Teachers are experts in how to best educate our young people. The Marin County Office of Education provides professional development opportunities, and I will ensure they are responsive to teachers needs and aimed at equipping them with the tools necessary to provide high quality education to all of their students. Additionally, I will uplift the voices of teachers when making decisions about our schools.

Increase transparency.

Community members, students, and families need to understand the role of the Marin County Office of Education in our school system. Because I am actively connected to youth and families in Marin, I will help bridge the gap between the Office of Education and our community. I believe that more active communication and collaboration will ensure the Office of Education is responding to the needs, and implementing the solutions, that our community wants to see.