What was it Samuel Clemens (pen name Mark Twain) said about statistics? It’s a quote often used to allude to statistics being lies, but when you read through the entirety of Clemens’ assertions, you come to understand that he wasn’t criticizing the collection and interpretation of quantitative data to increase understanding and even help inform decisions. He was chastising those who do so incompetently.

16 September 2020

Shouting “kids need to be in school” is about as helpful as shouting “this virus needs to go away.” As of September 10th, children accounted for 9.2% of the 166,587 positive Covid cases in Tennessee. 208 of the 7,444 Covid-related hospitalizations in our state were children. Of the 1,931 deaths from Covid here in Tennessee, .02% were children. Statistically insignificant, right? Probably not to the friends and families of the 5 children who died.

4 May 2020

Equity should be a priority in our district, always. Our children, communities, and schools each have different, unique needs. I am committed to replacing what is currently unjust about our system with equitable solutions. My decision-making will be centered on equity, so that our schools and students are not affected by unfair policies.

3 May 2020

Our funding system is broken, and our district has been negatively impacted as a result. I will stand with our teachers, parents, and community leaders to fight against any attempt to take money away from our public schools, and I will work with Mayor Cooper and Dr. Battle to put together a budget that goes beyond just meeting our basic needs.

2 May 2020

MNPS requires a high standard of education and certification to become a teacher, and that should be matched by competitive compensation to attract and retain educators. I am proudly endorsed by the teachers’ union, MNEA, and I will make budget decisions that respect and honor our teachers with the pay they deserve.

1 May 2020

Students cannot focus in class if they are hungry, exhausted, or sick. If our students’ basic needs are not being met, we cannot begin to expect improved educational outcomes. I will work to make sure all schools have funding for nursing and wellness staffers, supplemental meal programs, and access to any additional resources they need to support our children holistically, not just educationally.

30 April 2020

Home-sheltering and the aftermath of the March 3rd tornadoes have put into perspective just how important schools are to our communities—not only as educational institutions, but as centers for fulfillment of our children’s basic needs. I will work to make sure students have access to the internet and devices they need to learn, and that teachers and parents are fully-supported as we move forward.

29 April 2020

Standardized achievement tests should not be used to evaluate educational quality. They are not designed for that purpose, so using them as though they are is misguided. I will work to give teachers and students relief from the anxiety brought on by excessive testing and the pressures of teaching and learning “to the test.”