Education is how we build our future. And lifelong learning is the path to a healthier, happier, and more prosperous future. Yet state decisions over the last two decades have pushed funding public education onto local communities in harmful ways, perpetuating opportunity gaps based on a child’s zip code, race, gender, and ability.
My daughter attends the Misaabekong Ojibwe Immersion School where every single day she receives a culturally specific education. I know how important this is for her development and future and I’ll work tirelessly to ensure all of our children and grandchildren have the same opportunity of a quality, culturally appropriate education. I’ll work in partnership with school board members, teachers, and parent leaders to fully and equitably fund our public schools in a way that focuses on providing public education that alters the arc of children’s lives by addressing academic and social needs.
Here’s what I’ll fight for as your state legislator:
Expanded public pre-K child learning programs and services for students and their families in and outside the classroom.
We must return to a model of fully funding education at the state level, removing the burden from local communities in the form of levies and referendums.
Fully and equitably funding public schools, including indexing the per pupil formula to inflation, increased in-school support services such as counselors and access to mental health resources, smaller class sizes, and special education programs so that every child can reach their full potential.
We must also ensure our kids have the most qualified educators for our next generation. The best way to do this is protecting our educators' right to collectively bargain, fair compensation, and ensure a high-quality teacher licensure process.
Recruiting and retaining educators and counselors of color to reflect the growing diversity of our students, and ensure the curriculum is culturally responsive and reflective of the needs of students.
Funding for state community and technical colleges and universities for and lower tuition and support faculty, housing and other facility needs, and students who are transitioning to new careers to imagine their own future.
