Campaign email: VoteForEsther@gmail.com
Website: www.voteforesther.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Esther4BOE
Age: 35
Employment: Certified public accountant and senior tax manager for Washington Gas Light Co.
Education: Master’s in Taxation from D’Amore McKim School of Business, Northeastern University
Why are you running for the school board?
I am running to provide needed accountability to the $3 billion budget, ensure oversight of spending is in the best interest of the community, and return MCPS to excellence and a system where all students feel welcome.
I am the proud mother of two boys, a 4-year-old and a 9-year-old who has autism spectrum disorder, who attends MCPS.
As your next board member, I would prioritize ensuring that we address learning loss and the mental health crisis. Ignoring or glossing over these important issues is a disservice to our entire community and I commit to supporting our community through holding the system accountable for positive outcomes.
I will work to rebuild trust between the community and MCPS.
What makes you a good candidate for the board?
I am a servant leader and a role model for students in MCPS. I am the only candidate with professional financial statement experience and can provide adequate financial oversight of MCPS’ operating budget and financial statement audits. I will provide needed financial oversight of MCPS’ $3 billion budget and communicate about the finances of MCPS school system clearly with the community.
I am the only candidate in my race with any teaching experience. I’ve taught Junior Achievement in MCPS, tutored college students in advance level math courses and accounting courses at the University of Maryland.
I will elevate the voice of the most vulnerable populations as a Black, immigrant, female, mother of a disabled son.
Please name a public leader you admire and explain why.
Thurgood Marshall was the first black Supreme Court Justice. As a Black mother to a disabled son, I admire Justice Marshall’s contribution to the disability rights movement & special education laws.
Brown v. Board of Education laid the foundation for educating people of color and ensuring access to a quality public education. This same framework was used for the creation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, ensuring that students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education.
“Separate but equal” led to Black & disabled students being excluded from public education. Because of Justice Marshall, my disabled Black son has the right to a quality education in MCPS.
What is the most important issue facing your school board, and what would you do about it if elected?
The most important issue facing the school board is addressing the impact of school closures and remote learning on students’ education & proficiency rates in math & reading. Data analysis should show performance and opportunity gaps by race, disability, etc.
I would work toward ensuring that our system is fiscally healthy to provide needed programs and expand services such as universal pre-K, tutoring & other programs to help close the academic achievement gap. None of these priorities will succeed without ensuring that we have a fiscally healthy system when federal pandemic relief dollars expire. Allow teachers more time to teach and reduce the level of testing that we currently offer our students.
How concerned are you about school safety, and what if anything should be done to improve it?
2022 brought the first shooting in an MCPS building and community tensions remain high with increased violence in our community. Returning our schools to be safe and secure for students/teachers remains a top priority. With my focus on accountability & transparency, I will remain steadfast in ensuring that the community is informed and involved in safety improvements made in light of these incidents of violence and that we analyze policy changes for impact on safety.
School safety supports learning. I am very concerned about school safety, particularly as it relates to communication with parents during emergencies on school property, pedestrian safety and security at school sporting events.
Do you have any concerns about the way history is taught in your district’s schools, and if so, what are they?
I am concerned about the way the new social studies curriculum is being implemented without adequate community engagement sessions with parents. Parents and teachers should be provided adequate information about curricular changes and updates for feedback. It’s important for teachers to have the ability to be creative in their lesson plan to keep students engaged. Maintaining consistency and historical accuracy throughout the school system is of the utmost importance for a quality education system.
MCPS is fortunate to be within driving distance of many historical museums, statues and landmarks. I support our teachers in helping our students make deep and meaningful connection to the curriculum.
Do you think there are circumstances when books should be removed from school libraries, and if so, what kind of books should be removed?
MCPS has existing procedures for the evaluation and selection of library books to support the curriculum and goals of education on a countywide basis. Specifically, there is an established procedure for stakeholders to request a reconsideration of newly approved and previously approved books being used in MCPS.
When the appropriateness of library books is questioned by a stakeholder, resolution begins at the school level. Reconsideration and appeals to the superintendent and Board of Education is also available.
remain focused on ensuring that all our students become lifelong learners and readers by ensuring educators are equipped to support all students in becoming fluent readers.
