As an educator, my first question is, “What are the right questions?” What questions guide us toward life-giving answers? What questions invite care, curiosity, and collaboration? What questions lead to awareness, discernment, and empowerment? How do we ask, engage, and share the questions in good ways?
Since we find answers to the questions we ask, I want my initial response to be grounded in the context of a situation. I understand our rapidly changing world necessitates adaptation, and this requires a collaborative effort. I'm running for Washington State Superintendent because our moment in history demands change and innovation. It's time to answer that call as we face the pressing need to establish
Comprehensive Mental Health System in Washington State Schools,
world-class education adaptation … rapidly changing world necessitates adaptation, and this requires a collaborative effort.
promote pluralism through Ethnic Studies, drive Special Education reform, and increase salary for paraeducators and classified staff.
From local to global problems: climate crisis, and our children's future is at stake. Together, we can build a brighter future for our children, where they receive the world-class education, mental health support, and inclusive learning environment they deserve.
Comprehensive Mental Health Infrastructure
In order to address the urgent needs of our hurting children, we must prioritize the establishment of a comprehensive mental health infrastructure within our schools. It is crucial that this infrastructure is accessible to all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background. By implementing a robust system that integrates behavioral health and mental wellbeing practices, such as social-emotional learning and somatic engagement, we can equip our students with the tools they need to manage stress, regulate anxiety, and enhance emotional literacy. We must foster emotional granularity and awareness within our students' nervous systems, teaching them to notice and attend to their bodies, develop sensory observation skills, and respond with discernment. By offering opportunities for healing and self-love, we can empower our students with essential life skills. This comprehensive approach is necessary for the well-being of our students, our state, and our world.
Educational Innovation
As a candidate for WA Superintendent, I am committed to not only preparing students for academic success but also equipping them with the necessary tools to address global problems. We cannot deny the magnitude of challenges the world faces today, from the climate crisis to economic uncertainties. It is our duty to ensure that our education system empowers students to not only understand these issues but also take action to create positive change. By fostering a sense of global citizenship and promoting interdisciplinary education, we can cultivate young minds that are socially aware, empathetic, and driven to make a difference. Together, we can shape the future leaders who will work towards a more sustainable and just world for generations to come.
Humanizing Schools: Access, Agency, Dignity
As a Superintendent, my unwavering commitment is to humanize our schools through Access for All, ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, enjoys equal access to a high-quality education. I firmly believe that education should provide Agency and Dignity to every student, empowering them to shape their own learning journeys and treating them with respect and fairness. Equity and Justice are at the core of my mission, where I work tirelessly to dismantle systemic inequalities in resources, funding, and opportunities. I also advocate for the development of critical consciousness through Ethnic Studies, circle, and restorative practices to create an educational environment that values the richness of our collective heritage and traditions. Together, we can forge a more inclusive and equitable education system, preparing our students to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
In my grounded theory of emancipatory education, the focus is on a three-fold approach to transform and elevate the educational experience. What we do centers on Dignity and Identity, recognizing the inherent worth and unique identities of every learner. It's about affirming their personal value and community connection within the learning process. How we do it involves Historicizing and Humanizing, emphasizing the importance of contextualizing education within a historical framework while humanizing the learning environment. By understanding the historical context of knowledge and acknowledging its impact on society, students can better connect with their own experiences. Why we do it is rooted in Healing and Liberation. This aspect underscores the need to create educational spaces that foster emotional healing and empower individuals to confront oppressive systems, ultimately leading to personal and collective liberation. Through this theory, we aspire to build a transformative education system.