Goals

Here are the challenges that beg attention immediately:

We must lower the unacceptable over 30% drop-out rate (estimated 40% among minority students and 50% among Native American students). Randy Dorn reports a drop-out rate for the state at 24%.
The Tacoma School District must actively work with the City of Tacoma to quickly identify potential gang members as early as possible and work on a strategy and support system to give them better choices. Teachers and para-educators must know that they are working in a safe and secure environment.
Give the teachers the curriculum support they need to educate the students. Consistent basic skill-building curriculum, adequate up-to-date textbooks, student safety, behavior policies and enrichment activities all have a direct effect on learning.
Advocate the expansion and enrichment of the arts program in all schools so that students can see beyond the walls of everyday life. "When children are involved in the arts, they learn to be creative and ultimately they acquire the abilities to creatively solve the problems in their lives. Art is more than painting, drawing, sculpting, music, dance, and theater; it is what every soul needs to be complete," says my artist friend Nola Tresslar.
We must address the achievement gap that exists and give students a good basic education. The basics will allow the students to leave high school and take advanced training to reach their individual goals.

Curriculum that deserves more emphasis is the teaching of grammar, cursive writing (both of which are no longer part of the official District curriculum), and the support of a cohesive math program. I have been told that the pacing of the Saxon math curriculum is so rapid as to be unrealistic, and teachers of 4th and 5th grades have been scrambling for their own math materials to meet the state standards for the past five years. Budgets for the school libraries have been frozen for the past four years and new or replacement materials cannot be purchased. (TheThree Mom's grant money at the state level for one year was a small help.) Some principals find money from their individual budgets, but not all schools are treated equally. Reading specialists are not equally available in all elementary schools. The schools do not have, but they should have a full time qualified nurse for the students.

I have the flexible time and desire to do the job required. As a teacher for 33 years and a substitute for the past four years I have seen the problems in our schools and am ready to start work right away on possible solutions.