<

Vote Dr. Vanessa Sheldon for PSUSD 2014 The very best for our children Why am I running for election to the PSUSD Board of Education? I believe strongly that all individuals, regardless of age, income, or ethnicity, have the capacity to benefit from education and are entitled to access to education that is available in a format that is congruent with their resources, schedules and lifestyles. I have been fortunate to benefit greatly from public education, entering college at age 13 after only one year of high school and being the youngest doctoral recipient of the University of Arizona at age 19. I feel it is extremely important for today’s children to have access to the same opportunities and be able to make the most of their education, no matter what their particular learning strengths and challenges may be. Having completed my formal education at a young age, I have a deep love of learning and lifelong thirst for knowledge, and aim to instill the same in my students by showing that learning should be fun. I continually strive for new challenges and believe my primary role as a community figure is to inspire with my own experiences, enthusiasm, and dedication. I believe in an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to teaching, one in which education is comprehensive, engaging all faculties of the mind. To be educated in any discipline, one must not only master its basic facts, but also be able to contemplate the subject deeply and act on that knowledge in a personal, creative, and independent way. This variety of knowledge provides students with a well-rounded education, imparting a depth of character and interest in all aspects of humanity. I have made my home in the Coachella Valley for the past nine years, and in that time I have had the honor of working with many educational organizations, charities, religious institutions and community centers as a performer and educator. I am extremely dedicated to my community and its future. Serving on the Board will give me the opportunity to help impact our community’s future by giving our children access to the best education possible, exposing them to opportunities in various subject areas while ensuring they have proper learning facilities, current tools/technologies and skilled teachers. My desire to serve on an educational board was most triggered by my recent work with the California Teachers’ Association and, in particular, one inspiring visit to Sacramento in June 2012. As part of the California Community College Association’s Part-Time Issues Committee, I contributed to amending AB 852, which proposes seniority rights for part-time faculty members, and was invited to testify in front of the State Senate Education Committee on behalf of the Association. I welcomed the opportunity to be part of the debate surrounding the bill and to highlight the benefits of AB 852 in a concise and to-the-point manner. The bill passed later that day and I saw the impact that a small group of people could have on so many lives. As a good listener skilled at seeing issues from several perspectives while understanding varied points of view I believe my open-mindedness makes me a valuable team member. Perhaps most importantly, I will bring to the Board my passion for education and dedication to the community in whatever role I may serve. In addition to managing the district's budget to ensure the best education possible for our children, I will also work to ensure the future of arts education by allocating resources for in-school arts programs while bringing artists to schools and furthering the district's partnerships with Coachella Valley music, dance, theatre and visual arts organizations. Palm Springs High School Candidates Forum, October 30, 2014 My Priorities: Equity Academic achievement levels across the district currently vary a great deal among individual schools and tend to be lower in schools in socioeconomically challenged areas and schools with a higher percentage of minority students and/or English learners. I will work to allocate resources to retain academic achievement levels at high-achieving schools while making sure funds are in place for programs and schools that warrant further assistance. Career & Technical Education CTE is beneficial for all students, whether or not they attend college. I will support current and future CTE programs at PSUSD that are based on the workforce needs of our valley for the mutual benefit of students and our local economy. College Preparation I will work to align PSUSD high school graduation requirements with college entrance requirements to avoid students falling in the “gap”- having earned a high-school diploma but not qualified for acceptance to college. Also, by partnering with College of the Desert I hope to further concurrent enrollment as one of several ways to introduce students to college at an earlier age. Early Childhood Education Children who have access to early education tend to be more successful in school. Families without means to provide pre-school education for their children in the home or via private education are especially important to reach out to so that they are aware of ECE programs available. I will support ECE programs and promote the awareness and importance of such in our communities. Teachers On the heels of the Vergara case, I want to make sure that teachers are evaluated in a comprehensive manner that goes beyond standardized testing and that qualified, skilled teachers are given an appropriate level of job security so that they will remain in our district. Arts Education The arts are part of a well-rounded education and one of the areas that suffered most from budget cuts during the recession. Now that monies are coming back into school districts I will work to rebuild, in accordance with the budget and district needs at large, in-school arts programs while furthering the district’s partnerships with local arts and non-profit organizations. Biography Endorsements Democracy.com profile Contact Dr. Vanessa Sheldon for PSUSD Board Promote Your Page Too©2014 The Committee to Elect Dr. Vanessa Sheldon to PSUSD Board of Education