Issue Position: Education - Students Must Come First!

Issue Position

I've mentored and tutored students of all ages for nearly 14 years now. My experience has moved me to reject business as usual and embrace an all encompassing belief that students must come first.

Because of this unshakable belief I'll be working towards these goals in the Arizona State Senate:

Empowering Parents & Families - No one knows more about a student's needs than their parents and families. I will support any effort that empowers parents to make the decisions that are best for their children.

Every Option: Public, Charter, Private, or at Home - Every student is unique and their educational needs are equally as unique. We need to make sure we fully fund our public schools, making sure our charter schools are excelling, expande access to private schools, and ensure that parents can teach their children at home, if they choose.

Vital to Arizona's Future - In order to graduate excelling and exceptional students we must have excelling and exceptional schools. We all need to recognize that the future of our Arizona is at stake; parents, teachers, administrators, and community members must all get involved.

Teachers: Recognize, Reward, and Replicate - Besides a parent, a high quality teacher is the single most important link between a student and his/her success. I've seen what great teachers do and what not-so-great teachers don't do. Simply put, we need more great teachers; let's recognize, reward, and replicate the efforts of our amazing teachers.

From Day 1 - Arizona's First Things First is paramount in the early development of many children. I support any effort that strengthens and supports this and other high-quality early childhood development systems.

Competing Globally: STEM - In order to remain competitive in the global economy, we must continue placing an emphases on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) at all grade levels.

College: Expanding Access - Maintaining and expanding access to our colleges and universities is importnant to the success our students, our state, and our nation. It's not enough to say we want everyone to go to college; we need to make sure every student has the tools and knowledge needed to make it a reality.

Source