I have served the educational needs of our community’s children for over 15 years. My knowledge and experience will help me to provide leadership and build a vision all can share. The Board must be responsive and listen to all constituents.

 

Hello, my name is Anthony Triplin and I am running for a seat on the Prince George’s County Board of Education . I have served and advocated for the educational needs of our community's children for 15 years as a mentor (if you've done more to directory affect the community, list it here).I have also served on several local and state advisory committees on Juvenile Justice.

 

I believe that a school board must be responsive and receptive to parents, staff, students and the community at large, ( by engaging them with open dialog) not sure this needs to be here . The Board must take input from all groups and weigh all the facts (by engaging the community with open dialogue) before making a decision. A board member is a representative for   the community that elects him or her. That representative must be accessible and willing to collaborate with all members of the community; that includes all District staff. Anyone that comes before the board has the right to be heard not just to speak. A school board member must build public understanding, support, and participation.

 

My efforts as a board member would center on serving all of the children in the community; one child is no more important than another. We are a diverse community and have a need to celebrate that diversity. Our schools are here to serve the educational needs of all children. All stakeholders; parents, district personnel, as well as students,  must be partners in this endeavor if we are to be successful.

 

A key issue for school boards is to create a long-term vision, and communication plan, mapping a course that provides the necessary opportunities students need to reach their full potential. The board is responsible for establishing and maintaining a structure that supports this vision, empowers the staff, and provides leadership. It is difficult to provide leadership and carry out a vision when a district lurches from crisis to crisis, like a ship without a rudder. With my background and knowledge of our district I can help to provide the necessary leadership to keep the district on an even keel. I strongly believe that we have tremendous teachers and staff working with our children. We must re-establish morale amongst all district employees, and work to return harmony throughout the district. Education takes place in the classroom and the Board’s efforts must focus on enhancing and enriching what goes on there.

 

My 3 keys to a successful school district-wide strategic plan:

 

1. Get everyone on the same page. Differing understandings of what strategy entails, how it should be created and who should be involved, can stymie even the best plans. The first step in creating a successful strategic plan is getting everyone involved to agree on one model of strategic planning.  A terms of reference document can get everyone on the same page.

2. Engaging community early in the process. Gain insights and gauge community preferences as early as possible. School districts that engage early in the planning process have a much greater chance at building a successful and community supported plan. Engage early and engage often is the mantra of successful collaborative leaders.

3. Be a collaborative leader. Collaborative leaders in education have long recognized the benefits of early and frequent engagement with their constituents. They know, as we do, that much like early reading programs, every minute and every dime invested in gaining community support, pays off exponentially.

 

By working together we can all share in the knowledge and satisfaction that we have provided for the educational needs of all children and have built a district where students, parents, teachers, and staff feel they are welcome and belong. I ask for your support because IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE.