There is a need for effective instructional leadership for schools and the district. There are great leaders in the Leon County School District that need support to accomplish their school improvement mission and goals. This includes appropriately allocating time and resources for leadership development and professional learning that is relevant to their needs for academic success. I plan to work with school leaders to help them with their teacher needs and ensuring they have well-equipped and highly qualified teachers in all classrooms.

Teachers are some of the greatest assets and most impactful tools to increasing and sustaining academic achievement for students. Teachers and their knowledge, experience, and skills must be valued and appropriately compensated. There must be more consideration and care given to how teachers with several years of experience are compensated. I plan to closely examine and adjust the budget to ensure that fiscal resources are responsibly allocated to not only recruit the finest teachers to the district but to retain quality educators which will further sustain academic success for our schools.

Our graduation rate has decreased over recent years. There must be a greater emphasis placed on students successfully matriculating through secondary schools with skills that prepare them to be successful in postsecondary schools and move into careers that allow for them to experience lifelong success in fields of work that are becoming more prominent in our world. I plan to develop new partnerships with our local universities and colleges that will afford students new opportunities to excel in college and beyond. I also plan to increase access to vocational classes, CTE courses, and increase the opportunity for dual enrollment for students.

School culture and climate are conduits for student success. All schools should maintain the safety, security, and positive culture in order to maintain teacher morale, parent involvement and support, and student motivation. I plan to work hand-in-hand with school leaders on their plans for maintaining a positive school culture and climate, decreasing discipline issues in their schools, and providing relevant behavioral support to teachers and leaders.