Commitment Concepts

My efforts are anchored in the notion of Commitment. As a school board member, I am committed to four major concepts that will help our schools reach higher and reach wider.

Committed to Excellence.

In Kingsport, excellence is what we do best. Our schools are perhaps our most attractive attribute, but that doesn’t come easy. I am committed to maintaining and expanding the reputation of rigor found in KCS. Excellence isn’t only having nationally superior core subject proficiencies; we must also invest in the full educational experience of our students. That means top notch AP, CTE, athletic, fine arts, and extracurricular programs. We have a great foundation for excellence here in Kingsport, but there is room for continued growth. I am committed to realizing that growth.

Committed to Opportunity.

I am as interested in reaching wider as I am in reaching higher. Opportunity means that students can start their educational journeys in Kingsport and continue wherever their aspirations lead them. Education can never be one-size-fits-all. Committing to opportunity requires a willingness to reach beyond the traditional classroom model so that we offer an education experience suitable for each student in our Tribe. It also requires that our career & technical programs be superior. Our students deserve the best—exceptional classroom instruction, world-class career counseling, and diverse extracurricular organizations. We should constantly be asking the question “does this create more opportunities for more of our kids?” If the answer is yes, we should make it happen.

Committed to Talent.

Our schools excel because they are full of dedicated, highly qualified, and compassionate educators. I am committed to recruiting, retaining, and supporting a robust team of teachers, administrators, and school staff. That starts with engagement in local higher education communities to establish talent pipelines directly out of college, and it continues all the way through a teacher’s professional life cycle. While teachers are employed in Kingsport, they should always feel that their perspectives are sought-out, respected, and heard.

Talent doesn’t just come in the form of educators, though; there are talented, ambitious, and hard-working students outside of Kingsport that can serve as incredible assets to our schools. Where out-of-zone attendance allowances are practical and possible, we should provide them.

Committed to the Classroom.

The classroom is one of the most sacred and influential institutions in a child’s life. Just think of how many hours a week our students spend in the classroom! Each element of the classroom experience is vital. A teacher’s first and most important job is to teach—the verb is right there in the name. Sure, education comes with reporting requirements, but teachers should never administrate more than they instruct. I’m convinced that teachers have superpowers—but they can’t do it alone. It is critical that we support them by providing the best teacher aides and resources. We must also continually engage with community partners—parents, non-profits, and businesses alike—as they play their part in cultivating our kids.