September 22, 2020

Mentally Strong Students Create Academically Strong Schools

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 …

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September 15, 2020

It’s Hard To Be What You Can’t See

If 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, …

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September 10, 2020

One Size Does Not Fit All

This 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 …

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September 9, 2020

AZ Republic: Covid 19 Support for families

In 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 …

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September 9, 2020

AZ Republic: Covid 19 Teacher Support

In 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 …

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September 9, 2020

AZ Republic: Teacher Retention

In 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 …

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September 9, 2020

AZ Republic: Most Important Role?

In 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 …

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September 9, 2020

AZ Republic: School Boards

In 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 …

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August 3, 2020

Arizona Primary Voter Guide

These 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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