As we discuss the issues facing education, it is important to recognize the tremendous sacrifice of the countless talented and dedicated teachers. Like parents, teachers can and do have a profound impact on our children and students.

Just as parents need options to provide their children with the best opportunity to learn and be successful, teachers need to have options and flexibility in their teaching. Sometimes a lesson or concept may take longer or shorter than expected for the students to grasp and master the concepts. At other times, teachers may need to change the structure or timing of their lesson plans to fit schedules and optimize learning. In those and other situations, teachers need flexibility to accommodate re-testing or greater understanding of the material. Simply put, teachers need support and flexibility. When teachers get the support they need, our students get the best opportunities to learn.

Parents working with and supporting teachers is the key to education success. To facilitate that cooperation, increased and improved communication is essential. Parents should know what their children are being taught but also need to understand that even the best laid plans will need to change to accommodate and facilitate learning. Teachers should not be held hostage to a predetermined and rigid schedule that may not be effective. Again, parents communicating with and supporting teachers is the best way to help our children learn and be successful.

Some (who don't know me) have accused me of being "anti-teachers" because I support parent involvement in education. NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH! I AM PRO TEACHERS. I had amazing teachers growing up. I went to college to be a teacher because I wanted to be like those teachers who impacted my life and that is why I chose to WORK AS A TEACHER. I recognize the tremendous sacrifice teachers make and want to help them. I want to give them more resources and I want to lighten their burdens by removing unnecessary administrative headaches that distract from teaching. Teachers are the key to successful education and I support them 100%.

I also believe that well-informed and supportive parents can improve our education system. Thus, I am in favor of effective communication. I am in favor of increased empathy and compassion. I am a proponent of our common goals, and will seek to focus on those as a member of the Utah State Board of Education. Parents and teachers have the same motive—the success of the student. Working together and supporting each other is the key to improving education in this state.

As a former teacher and parent of four publicly educated children, I am the ONLY candidate with first-hand experience on both sides. I hope that my experience and perspective as a teacher will help parents and teachers work together as we work towards our common goal: the success of our children!

I hope you have a great day and, as always, please reach out with any questions or if you'd like to talk about any of my ideas.