Melissa Hahn
Campaign email: hahndistrictboe@outlook.com
Age: 44
Employment: Substitute teacher for Harford County Public Schools and full-time mom and wife.
Education: Certification in Early Childhood Education
General College Studies at Essex Community College
Why are you running for the school board?
Over the last several years, I have seen many changes and not for the better. I see firsthand the many issues in the classroom that both teachers and children are dealing with and the things that are happening in our schools. I want to ensure that each and every child in HCPS is obtaining the highest quality education and skills necessary to be successful members of our community after graduation, whether they choose to attend trade school, college or choose employment.
What makes you a good candidate for the board?
I am very passionate about fixing the education system in Harford County. I love the kids (and the teachers) and I feel they deserve better. Too many children are falling through the cracks. Too many teachers are struggling due to lack of support. I will always put the educational needs of the students first, support our teachers and administrators, work with and listen to parents to address concerns to make our schools an example to other school systems.
Please name a public leader you admire and explain why.
Florida Congresswoman Kat Cammack. She is a strong, smart women that stands for the Constitution and our rights. She always gets important information to her constituents so they can be informed and explains what can be done and how to take action.
What is the most important issue facing your school board, and what would you do about it if elected?
Our children are not learning. We need to get back to an educational system that focuses on reading, math, science, history, writing and life skills. I would work with parents, students, teachers and professionals to develop and implement challenging curriculum and ensure that each child has the support they need to be successful.
How concerned are you about school safety, and what if anything should be done to improve it?
I am extremely concerned with the safety of our students and school staff. First, each school needs an SRO (school resource officer). Each school also needs a mental health counselor to address the needs of the students. We also need to provide each school with an advanced security system that notifies the office when and which doors are opened and also provides video access so they know who is in the building.
Do you have any concerns about the way history is taught in your district’s schools, and if so, what are they?
Yes, I do have concerns about the way history is being taught. History should be taught how it happened. There are good things and bad things that happened throughout history and we need to learn them all to learn from them all.
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 think that school libraries should have diverse and age-appropriate content without divisive and hateful material. We need to teach our children to love one another and our differences not hate one another because of them.
