1. Basic literacy skills in students have declined as tech use has sky-rocketed. What specific steps would you take to strengthen reading, handwriting, and sustained attention for LVUSD students?

The goal of teachers is for students to have the opportunity to realize their potential, have the confidence to believe in themselves and achieve success.  As a former teacher I did notice a decline post COVID coming back into the classroom and in the years that followed.  I think it’s important to note that at the time, with the information we had, LVUSD acted quickly to get kids back to school virtually faster than any other district in our area, which is noteworthy.  Also, every teacher I knew stepped up to the task of virtual learning in many cases going above and beyond the normal scope of teaching responsibilities to help students as much as possible.  It was an unprecedented and very challenging time to be a teacher and I want to acknowledge all hardworking teachers who stepped up to the plate as professionals and made it happen for their students.  I believe the deficits post COVID would have been astronomically greater without the quick work of LVUSD and its teachers.  I think it’s also important to recognize that last school year LVUSD had a 98% graduation rate (the highest on record) as well as increasing, exceptional CAASPP scores. 

With all of that being said, I do believe there were deficits created as a result of disruptions from the pandemic and I think the best way to continue to help students improve is by taking it back to the basics. District-wide, we need to ensure that teachers are provided with ample time and support to align their curriculum with California State Standards and have the necessary tools to assess student progress toward those standards. We must also establish effective measures and interventions for students who are struggling so they receive the targeted support needed to improve and meet learning goals.

This work includes continuing to emphasize the importance of reading and writing about what students read, as well as developing strong habits of self-reflection and revision. Students should be supported in reviewing and editing their work, reflecting on their progress, and using feedback to make meaningful improvements. Providing students with clear rubrics, exemplars, and other instructional tools will help them understand expectations and give them the resources necessary to be successful.

Many of these “basics” need to be done by students without the use of technology as an assist.  While I believe technology is the way of our future and an excellent tool of support, students can only be successful if they first learn how to be strong readers, writers, critical thinkers and collaborators with their peers without the use of assistance from technology to achieve it.  Students need first to learn by doing to give them the confidence to believe in the work they produce and thus use technology as a support and not a crutch.  This mindset is critical to helping students continue to improve in areas such as reading, writing, critical thinking, and sustained attention. I think putting this into place looks like limiting the amount of screentime we see during school hours based on science backed research and creating policy that focuses on mindful use of technology across all grades.  

2. If elected, what measurable outcomes would you use to determine whether district technology policies are benefiting students?

Experts often reference graduation rates to indicate success within school districts and LVUSD has continued to show exceptional graduation rates in recent years.  Personally, I also like to see measured growth over time within a population to determine educational success. I think this same concept applies in measuring how well our technology policies are working in schools.  

3. How can LVUSD better empower teachers to determine when technology genuinely enhances instruction and when analog methods are more effective?

I believe with very few exceptions, that teachers are professionals who should be trusted to determine when and how technology should be used within their classroom.  However, that being said, I think it always makes sense to offer professional development that uses the latest research to support teaching methods within the classroom as our educators should be constantly growing and evolving their craft to ensure the best education for our children. The latest and greatest professional development opportunities around classroom technology use is a priority for me, so we can provide our teachers with the best and they in turn can provide our students with the best.  The idea should always be to follow a guiding principle: Is this the best way to educate our children? 

4. Do you think LVUSD should put a cap on screen time for students at any level? If yes, what would that cap be? If not, why not?

Research has shown that limiting screentime benefits kids especially in lower grades.  LVUSD should be using science backed research to guide their policy when it comes to determining screentime for students, so we are using best practice districtwide to educate our children.  If a committee composed of teachers, parents, cabinet members, etc. recommends limiting screen time for students then I would absolutely support the findings of the committee.   

5. LAUSD now prohibits student use of devices during lunch, recess, and passing periods. Do you support a similar policy?

Devices should only be used to complete relevant, approved classwork at school.  At the elementary level I think it is very easy and more than likely appropriate to prohibit the use of devices at recess, lunch, etc.  If there is an important exception then I think teachers as professionals should be empowered to provide exceptions as needed.  At the secondary level, I believe it is important for students to have access to their device as needed for school related work.  Many students participate in extracurricular activities after school of various kinds, have jobs, volunteer, don’t have reliable internet or a dedicated work space at home, etc. and choose to use free time at school to complete work as needed to free up their afternoons and evenings for whatever the reason may be.  I had a student who started coming into my classroom every day at lunch to complete homework and over time that student shared with me that his mother was fighting cancer and it was easier for him to cope personally by completing his work at school, since his after school life had been a bit disrupted due to his mother’s diagnosis.  While I absolutely believe we should put guardrails in place to ensure our students are not playing games or misusing school devices, I think it’s important to also recognize that especially at the secondary level there may be reasons to have access to a device during these times that are very relevant and should be honored.  The goal is to help our students become responsible adults and I think part of that is allowing some choice in when they complete their assignments, so they can demonstrate responsibility.  

6. Do you support a one-to-one device policy for elementary school students? Please explain.

I believe students should have access to a device when they need to complete a relevant assignment that is best done using a device in third grade and above.  I don’t think elementary students need to be taking a device home every night, but they should have access periodically if they are working on a project and need to take it home at the discretion of their teachers.  This time should be factored in the technology use policy that is put in place for students and based on science backed research and not exceed what is determined appropriate during the school day even though they may be working at home.   

7. What role, if any, should generative AI play in K–12 education?

Generative AI has no place in elementary education.  Students should be learning the basics such as reading, writing, mathematics, etc.  They need to develop a strong foundation as learners in order to grow into successful secondary students.  At the secondary level I think it’s important for students to learn about generative AI primarily so they can differentiate between what is real and what is not.  Generative AI should not be used as a crutch to complete tasks as it doesn’t represent a student’s true ability.  In my opinion the district should discourage the use of generative AI among students and encourage students to demonstrate their learning and skills both independently and collaboratively with their peers.  There should also be a zero tolerance policy for any intentional cheating as a result of using generative AI.  

8. What access, if any, should students have to YouTube on school-issued Devices?

I think YouTube can be a helpful resource, but it also opens up opportunities for device misuse.  I think teachers as professionals should have access to YouTube for learning opportunities, but I don’t think students need access to YouTube at school during the school day on their own devices.  

9. Many parents and teachers are concerned about the level of influence exerted by private tech companies over public school policy. Are there any guardrails that should be enacted to prevent this? How would you propose that the district protect student data from being used for advertising, AI training, or commercial Purposes?

I believe this is an issue, but not in LVUSD.  In my experience policy has been enacted in the best interest of the students we serve. Not everyone is going to agree on every policy decision made, but I have not seen any proof that educational policy is influenced by private tech within our district.  Obviously, this is not what is best for students and would be unacceptable.  I return to the concept of process regarding how to prevent such issues from arising.  When issues are brought forward, they should be brought to an appropriate committee and that committee should be composed of interested parties including parents, board members, cabinet members, teachers, administrators and staff and even students where appropriate.  Regarding protecting student data, as a parent, this is extremely important to me.  We must protect our children!  My understanding is that LVUSD uses programs that adhere to California’s strict laws protecting student data and if anything is ever brought forward to contradict that it should be fully investigated and managed appropriately.  

10. Do you believe parents should have meaningful opportunities to opt their children out of specific instructional technology platforms while still allowing those students to fully participate in classroom learning?

I don’t believe the burden should fall upon the teacher or school to manage an alternate curriculum. In this scenario if the district is limiting the screen use time based on current science backed research and parents still feel they would like to opt out their child fully, that is absolutely their prerogative, but the burden should not fall upon a teacher to do more when they are already within the district standards.  In my experience, in a public school setting there aren’t enough resources to make this sustainable.  An excellent alternative for a family who believes strongly in opting out of technology fully would be enrolling their student at Mariposa, where they would likely find the philosophy more closely aligns with theirs and students can be presented digital free curriculum that is not pieced together to meet the needs of one, but rather created to be fully inclusive.

11. What would you say to parents and teachers who are concerned that their schools’ budgets are being spent on costly, ineffective technology while essentials like library services, functional locker rooms, and basic copy supplies fall by the wayside?

I would tell parents that their concerns are valid.  As tax payers it is absolutely the right of parents to know where and how their funds are being spent in the schools their children attend.  I would suggest they research how budgeted funds are being spent within the district and  if they aren’t comfortable with what they see, I would encourage them to do two things: 1. Use their voice in appropriate forums and 2. Volunteer to sit on committees dealing with these matters, so they can actively work to use their voice.  

12. Are there any SBS reform proposals that you would champion?

As a board member I believe it would be my role to support process regarding reforms regardless of whether I personally believe in them or not.  LVUSD isn’t about me or my kids singularly.  It’s about our community and all of our children collectively.  It is my role to hear issues, participate in committees, respect the work on committees and vote accordingly based on their findings and recommendations.  It is through following a process that includes parents, cabinet members, teachers, staff and administrators, students and board members that we can collaborate and work together to do what is best for our district.  With that being said I would be very supportive of looking further into many of the issues championed by SBS especially those pertaining to AI and ensuring that we are using best practices based on sound research when it comes to how much time our children are spending in front of screens in school. 

13. What else should SBS voters know about you?

I am a mother of three.  My two daughters are typically developing and my son has disabilities that impact him both physically and cognitively.  I have seen first hand how technology has literally saved my son’s life and given him a voice as he is unable to speak on his own.  I also have the same concerns for all of my children about developing strong foundations in education, not exposing them to too much through technology and protecting their mental health and growing minds.  I am also a former LVUSD teacher and taught pre COVID, during COVID and post COVID and have seen firsthand how technology helped us during an unprecedented time in history and how it also served as a detriment to students in ways that they didn’t even realize.  Technology absolutely has a place within our world for better or for worse and we would not be preparing students to face the world appropriately if we do not teach students to be good stewards of technology. The only way we can do this is by listening to the research that exists in order to inform how we determine what is appropriate for our students. I believe that our teachers are professionals who have the best interest of our children in mind and that we should partner with them using current research to always reevaluate the pedagogical methods we use to educate our children.  As a teacher I always told my students that we are not perfect as humans and we don’t always get things right, but that living a life of integrity and having a spirit that values a willingness to be a forever student is the best way to live your best life.  As a mother I also believe that to be true.  And, if elected, as a board member that will continue to guide my beliefs, so I can do the best I can to support LVUSD, the community at large and most importantly all of our children.