Campaign email: amydod1@yahoo.com
Age: 47
Education: Bachelor’s Degree, Business, Chowan University.
Why are you running for the school board?
There were several factors that motivated me to take this step. Just one of those being I have a child with Down Syndrome, and I feel that children with special needs need a voice at the board level. I am able to take the time to advocate for my children. Not all parents are able to do that for a number of reasons. I am willing to take up that mantel and work for all children in our county.
What makes you a good candidate for the board?
I am extremely invested in the success of our schools, as I have three children that attend public schools here in our county. Not all candidates have ever utilized public school for their own children. I am also an advocate for students with IEPs (individualized education programs) and students in the special needs community. I have experience in both areas and I am willing to work for all students in that category and all students in general. My husband is a teacher in a neighboring county, and his insight into how to best support our educators is valuable. Finally, I am endorsed by the local Talbot County Education Association.
Please name a public leader you admire and explain why.
There are so many answers. I think Dolly Parton is a national treasure. She does so much for children in our county with her free book program, Imagination Library. She also has funded relief for wildfires in Tennessee as well as offering to pay for higher education for employees of her Dollywood park. She is an example of leading with her heart to truly care for other people.
What is the most important issue facing your school board, and what would you do about it if elected?
This is a tough question because I feel we have many issues. Behavior issues, vaping and others are on my list. But in order to successfully run schools we have to have schools fully staffed with qualified individuals. One does not have to look far to know we have a nationwide teacher shortage. We need to ensure we are retaining our qualified teachers as well as recruiting new teachers. We need to make sure we are supporting these teachers so they will want to stay. We need to appeal to all that our beautiful county has to offer in recruiting new teachers.
How concerned are you about school safety, and what if anything should be done to improve it?
Yes, after Uvalde how can you not have concerns? The school system rightfully keeps the security plans under wraps to keep them secure. I would want to review the current plan before considering what changes may or may not be needed. I have worked in the safety industry my entire career and have numerous contacts that specialize in safety both at the federal and private level.
Do you have any concerns about the way history is taught in your district’s schools, and if so, what are they?
I do not currently have a concern. I would need to do a deep dive into the current curriculum, above what I already know. However, the curriculum is given to the schools from the State Board of Education.
Do you think there are circumstances when books should be removed from school libraries, and if so, what kind of books should be removed?
I am not a fan of book banning in general.
