Recently I wrote about the decision my wife and I made to send our youngest children to in-person instruction. Although the learning benefits played a factor in that decision, it was ultimately a mental health decision. Our young children were struggling with social isolation and feeling academically unsuccessful. There seemed to be more tears than laughs, and more meltdowns than …
Continue readingIf I were to ask my six-year-old son what job he wants to do when he grows up, I would be shocked if he said, “I want to be an oil rig technician.” He doesn’t know any oil rig technicians. I don’t think he has ever even seen an oil rig or comprehended what it was if he has. However, …
Continue readingThis past week my wife and I decided to send our two youngest children back to in-person instruction. We made this decision after our third grader told my wife and me that she doesn’t think she is smart enough for online learning. Our kindergartener launched his academic career on a laptop, pretty disengaged with learning and critical interactions with his …
Continue readingIn August of 2020 The Arizona Republic asked the Maricopa County School Superintendent candidates a series of questions. What additional support would you provide parents and students through the pandemic? The biggest impact of COVID-19 on education is unpredictability. When Governor Ducey announced statewide school closures and in-person education went online, the first big problem was how to help families …
Continue readingIn August of 2020 The Arizona Republic asked the Maricopa County School Superintendent candidates a series of questions. What additional support would you provide teachers through the pandemic? During the pandemic my office has provided support for teachers and districts throughout the county. For example, I am actively working with county public health leaders, to distribute COVID protection equipment to …
Continue readingIn August of 2020 The Arizona Republic asked the Maricopa County School Superintendent candidates a series of questions. What will you do over the next four years to attract and retain great teachers? I launched the Teacher Retention Project in the Fall of 2018. I surveyed thousands of Maricopa County teachers to determine what parts of the profession gave them …
Continue readingIn August of 2020 The Arizona Republic asked the Maricopa County School Superintendent candidates a series of questions. What do you believe is the county superintendent’s most important role, and how will you serve that role? The most public facing role of this office is appointing school board members when there is a vacancy on a school board. Over nearly …
Continue readingIn August of 2020 The Arizona Republic asked the Maricopa County School Superintendent candidates a series of questions. How would you improve the financial accountability of schools and governing boards? The first tool I have as County School Superintendent is to appoint fiscally responsible school board members in the event of a vacancy. In education, fiscal responsibility means focusing our …
Continue readingThese answers were originally submitted to the Arizona Republic on July 20, 2020. What do you believe is the county superintendent’s most important role, and how will you serve that role? The most public facing role of this office is appointing school board members when there is a vacancy on a school board. Over nearly four years, I appointed 40 …
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