LWV2008
The League of Women Voters Questionnaire
1. What professional, educational, occupational, civic, and community experience have you had that you believe qualifies you for this office?
My two children attended Madison public schools, and I taught in the District for 28 years.
I have a BA and an MA degree in 18th century British history. My teaching career has taken me from an inner city New York high school, to elementary schools in England, Madison and China, and finally to Cherokee Middle School.
I received the District’s Distinguished Service Award, the UW’s Distinguished Teacher of Teachers Award, and the NBC Crystal Apple Award. I published one book and have just finished a second.
Since retiring, I have mentored first-year teachers, and served as treasurer of Community and Schools Together.
2. If more money became available, what would be your top priority for spending on the schools.
In this wonderful ideal world: I would restore k-2 small class sizes in all classrooms and areas; increase support staff – psychologists, social workers, nurses, LMC assistants, assistant principals; expand Arts and Music education; institute 4k; introduce intense literacy/numeracy programs in middle and high schools; add programs to help students dealing with substance abuse; focus on our poor and minority students with programming and support; provide teachers with the tools to engage a wide range of students.
Please note that this wonderful ideal world actually existed in our schools just a few years ago before revenue caps existed.
3. As a member of the School Board, how would you encourage schools in your district to increase energy conservation and the use of energy efficiencies and renewables as a fuel source?. How would you support the integration of these district efforts into the curriculum and into special projects to provide a continuing learning experience for students, staff, and the community?
Many schools are joining the Wisconsin Green and Healthy Schools program. This connection offers support for an environmentally friendly curriculum-based program. This is a wonderful way to teach students about the world they live in and the need to protect and conserve our valuable natural resources.
Energy efficiency in the schools offers what we call a “teachable moment” in education and I would support the development of a district-wide curriculum focused on improving efficiency in every school. It could include such topics as energy conservation methods, use of recycled materials, local materials, water conservation, etc.
