Campaign email: donnanizolek4talbot@gmail.com
Website: https://www.donnanizolek.com/
Age: 70
Employment: I am a veterinarian and practice small animal medicine and surgery. My husband and I owned and operated an animal hospital for 35 years.
Education: M.S., Yale University, and D.V.M., Cornell University
Why are you running for the school board?
I believe that a solid education in the fundamentals – reading, writing, and basic math – is essential to the success of all individuals. Based on my own experiences working with graduates, and on the statistics provided by the Maryland Department of Education, a large percentage of Talbot County graduates are not “proficient.” More must be done in the first few years of school to be sure that all students have the basic tools to succeed. I am also concerned that students are ill-prepared to take a responsible role in our democracy because they are not taught civics, and I would like to see Maryland join the other 15 states that require students to pass the High School Civics Test.
What makes you a good candidate for the board?
My family and I have a passion for education, and we have raised our two children accordingly. I attended public school through high school and then earned two advanced degrees at private universities. I would like to see public schools join together with parents to provide the kind of excellent education in the fundamentals that enabled me to have a successful career and be a life-long learner. As a professional and business owner in this community for over 40 years, I can offer perspective. I will dedicate my time and energy to ensuring that all children reach their maximum potential.
Please name a public leader you admire and explain why.
I admire Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis for his practical and science-based handling of the COVID pandemic, his courageous stance against political correctness, and his effective governance which promotes the prosperity of his state.
What is the most important issue facing your school board, and what would you do about it if elected?
The greatest challenge schools face is how to make up for the huge learning and social deficits that were created by the COVID lockdowns. Data on student achievement during those two years is not available to the public, and one can only guess how far our students have fallen behind. I am hopeful that some of the government funds allocated for COVID can be applied for tutoring and special classes. Students need help in developing good study skills. Every effort must be made to rebuild the connections between groups of students, and between students, teachers, and other mentors. “School spirit” has never been more important!
How concerned are you about school safety, and what if anything should be done to improve it?
Schools should be havens of nurture and education, and we must do everything we can to protect students, teachers, and staff from outside threats. At this time, not all the schools in our county have school resource officers on duty. Arrangements must be made to extend that security blanket to all schools. The school environment can also be damaged by internal disruption. Students and faculty cannot feel safe or perform well if order is not maintained. Unruly and threatening behavior benefits no one.
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 know the specifics of the history courses taught in Talbot Schools. In principle, I recognize that history is not just a string of dates and events, and that all texts weave them together to tell the story of our past. When reviewing the curriculum, I would hope to find that facts are presented accurately, interpretations are discussed, and different viewpoints are debated. Only by studying the past can we improve our future and avoid repeating past errors.
Do you think there are circumstances when books should be removed from school libraries, and if so, what kind of books should be removed?
School libraries should be stocked with books that are age-appropriate, build on the curriculum, and inspire our children. Books that proselytize a certain religion, morality, political or social agenda do not belong in public schools.
