Children who feel physically, socially, and emotionally safe are more likely to learn at higher levels. As a principal, 3rd grade reading proficiency increased from 58% to 100% despite poverty tripling. My wife, mother, and father-in-law all enjoyed successful careers as teachers in Wisconsin. All of my priorities are rooted in equity, and I’ve shown success in closing racial opportunity gaps as a principal and district administrator in Madison. Having navitaged the legislature in my personal and professional life, I know that our elected officials want Wisconsin to make good on its Constitutional promises. Underly and Kerr will be on the election ballot for State Superintendent of Public Instruction on April 6. To help you get to know more about the candidates, we sent them the same list of questions. Teachers need to be supported with high-quality materials and professional development so that they can provide their students with grade-level instruction and give additional help to those who need it. I will continue to build relationships with all legislators and work across the aisle. Not all of our kids are seeing success and opportunity in school, and my platform is focused on fixing the systems that perpetuate these inequities. Have a question about education you'd like WUWM's Emily Files to dig into? We must stop demonizing our teachers and instead improve the working conditions in our classrooms. I am confident we can get through this while still supporting our students and meeting their academic needs. Legislators are likely to dedicate more funding to schools when they see that their investments are showing a return. “It’s not that I believe in school choice or public schools, I believe in all of them. You can visit Sheila Briggs' website to learn more. So every district has the resources they need to properly educate our children for success. GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – The only state-wide race on the upcoming April election ballot is for state superintendent. “We’ve got such large achievement gaps, we have to address these and acknowledge these right away. MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A candidate for Wisconsin state superintendent who is backed by Republicans and received a $15,000 donation from a national conservative mega … You can visit Troy Gunderson's website to learn more. The pandemic put a spotlight on the inequities between our school districts. We also need to take the stress off our children by reducing the number of high stakes tests. 6. We also need to change our school funding system so that it gets the most money to the most kids in the most school districts. Credit Courtesy Shandowlyon Hendricks-Williams. Because of this success, Tony Evers asked me to join him at the Department of Public Instruction in 2011. Age: 43. First, we have to change the culture of the classroom. It’s based on your circumstances,” Kerr said. I think we’re at the point where we we’re at the stage where we can open our schools and we can do it safely,” Underly said. We have to work together. I believe we must rebuild our education system so every child can have a chance for a better life. What would your top priorities be as state superintendent? Submit it below. More information from the Wisconsin Elections Commission here. My track record of closing achievement gaps, high graduation rates, and ensuring success for all children in Brown Deer is noteworthy. Here are their responses (in alphabetical order). Both candidates have also acknowledged that technology will play a major role in the future of education in the state, especially after the past year of heavily utilizing it. '”, “I don’t support using public money to support private school vouchers. Together with families, educators, and students I want education to be a model of bottom up instead of top down. As a professor of School Finance at Viterbo University I am well equipped to debate both the details of education funding and to advocate for a more equitable approach. We need an education budget that is predictable, transparent, and fair. There are two candidates, Deborah Kerr and Jill Underly. After high school, I served in the US Air Force as an instructor and manager. A candidate for Wisconsin state superintendent who is backed by Republicans and received a $15,000 donation from a national conservative mega-donor says … Unlike the other candidates, I’ve worked in urban, rural, and suburban districts, and I’m the only candidate in this race who is currently leading a school district during this time of public health and economic crises. I will use common sense reform, to get back to the basics. Because only some districts fully opened, the gaps we saw before the pandemic most likely went up. Family: husband, two children, ages 12 and 14. “I want to be able to support all of these districts opening up quickly and safely, and I’ve had a plan for statewide recovery and re-entry so we can do this. “All kids deserve 21st century classrooms. We enjoy the outdoors, games, and the Brewers. The guidelines focused on safety for everyone while providing an opportunity for in person learning. But the question should be – ‘how do we provide a high-quality educations for all children in Wisconsin? This means that schools need to provide wrap around services to children and help with vocabulary, letters, and counting. We need to start closing the learning gaps early in a child’s life. The initial years of a child’s education are extremely important as they build their foundation of education. Events such as the COVID-19 pandemic create tremendous social disruption which can take years to repair. Every student deserves an equitable education that promotes future promise. Success will require a more culturally sensitive approach with professional development for educators in the areas of engaging African American students and families, offering significant examples of positive racial identity, and celebrating cultural differences and experiences. DPI should develop a COVID-19 checklist to ensure districts are prepared to safely return students and teachers back to school, ensuring that PPE, barriers and other critical items are available and ready, particularly in school districts that are currently inequitably funded. “[Finding] a funding formula as well as addressing the fact that we don’t have enough money in our schools to address mental health needs as well as recruiting and retaining teachers. We cannot ignore the impact that this pandemic will have on the next state budget. It’s time to show them what we can do: raise achievement for all students AND close achievement gaps. MILWAUKEE – The two remaining candidates for Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction squared off Thursday ahead of the only statewide race in the April 6 spring election. The candidates include: Sheila Briggs, an assistant state school superintendent Joe Fenrick, a high school science teacher from Fond du Lac Troy Gunderson, retired West Salem School District superintendent Shandowlyon Hendricks-Williams, director of … By Dan Molloy Wisconsin. Some districts could afford smaller class sizes for physical distincing, new HVAC systems that filter out viruses, and PPE. Where parents, teachers, and community members come together to make decisions. The top two vote-getters will advance to the April 6 general election to select the new head of the state Department of Public Instruction. Carolyn Stanford Taylor, who currently holds the seat, was appointed state superintendent in 2019 by Tony Evers, who held the position before he was elected governor. We will lead by creating a new statewide vision for public education. Let’s work together to create a truly equitable school finance system that can lead to higher levels of success for all our Wisconsin students. This investment must extend beyond the classroom, with more support for mental health and school nursing. In the Feb. 16 Primary Election, voters will narrow the field to two people. Education: Doctor of Philosophy, Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis, University of Wisconsin Other schools do not have the same resources and chose to teach in a hybrid or virtual model. The only statewide race on the ballot: WI superintendent candidates talk issues. So our kids who need it most have been out of school, while their white classmates across the state have been back since September 1st,” Kerr said. First and foremost the best learning happens in our classrooms. Previously, I have experience as a teacher, as a principal, as a university advisor, and as a Department of Public Instruction leader. In the 2009 election, Evers defeated Rose Hernandez, who was seen as the more conservative candidate, 57% to 43%. Many fell flat and shut down, while others are rated a failure by the state. I believe equal and equitable funding will help ensure that every Wisconsin child receives a top-notch education. He resigned on January 7, 2019, after winning election for Governor of Wisconsin. This is going to require sustained work – building relationships, demonstrating success, and providing clear explanations as to how investments translate into results for our kids. The winner will replace current state Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor, … Ensuring these opportunities are provided for generations to come regardless of factors like race, gender, ethnicity, family income, and zip code serve as my daily motivation. “I’m a strong supporter of school choice, because our parents have the liberty to choose where to send their kids to school. Tony Evers to replace him, announced that she would not seek another term in the spring election. Within my first 100 days, I am going to find that plan and immediately implement it. As of this writing, following a primary election where 7 candidates competed, Jill Underly and Deb Kerr are the two remaining candidates that will progress to the general election. Wisconsin superintendent of schools candidates Deborah Kerr and Jill Underly discuss the top issues in the state, including reopening schools, achievement gaps … My platform is rooted in equity and getting every child what they need, every day. 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