Bethany’s Priorities
Our kids deserve the very best we can give them—yet our schools are under attack. I am committed to delivering an outstanding school system through strong leadership and focusing on:
Student Health
and Well-Being
Support student learning by investing in their mental and physical health and social-emotional growth. Ensure students and staff feel safe in school.
Strategies:
Expand bullying prevention programs and training;
Deploy behavioral interventionists with attention to areas of greatest need;
Provide more professional development on classroom management strategies;
Explore new ways to address food and housing insecurity for students;
Support and expand outdoor learning opportunities;
Partner with Arlington County for early childhood development and preparation for kindergarten.
Support teachers and staff by investing in resources and compensation that reflect their value.
Strategies:
Equip every school to address student needs effectively;
Protect time for planning and collaboration;
Provide teachers with mentors, coaches, and curriculum specialists;
Reduce state and federally-mandated training requirements;
Support our unions to strengthen our relationships and make improvements for teachers and staff that reflect genuine needs and interests;
Enhance pathways for advancement into leadership positions.
Teachers and Staff
Infrastructure
Provide positive, healthy learning and working environments for students, teachers and staff.
Strategies:
Address aging building systems like HVACs and roofs;
Increase accountability for the completion of work orders and for addressing minor building issues to prevent them from becoming major problems;
Upgrade public address and safety notification systems and ensure that safety protocols and systems are being used consistently;
Work creatively and collaboratively with Arlington County on transportation options, bus routing systems, and safe routes to schools for walkers and bikers.