Campaign email: nicolekreamerforschoolboard@gmail.com
Website: nicolekreamerforschoolboard.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071683854168*
Age: Not disclosed
Employment: Local hospital, Physician Liaison Project Manager
Education: Master’s in Healthcare Administration and MBA from University of Maryland University College
Why are you running for the school board?
As a parent of a child that currently attends Charles County Public Schools and a substitute teacher, I am deeply invested in ensuring that our school system produces a high quality education for every student. I am a lifelong learner and a first-generation college student, so I understand the value of an education and the impact it can have on the lives of our students and families. With the passing of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, our state has a unique opportunity to transform education for generations to come, and I want to ensure that it is implemented appropriately, completely, and with fidelity.
What makes you a good candidate for the board?
As the only candidate running in my district with a child currently in the public school system, I am not only deeply invested in ensuring that our students receive a high quality education, but will also be directly impacted by decisions I would make as a board member. My platform focuses on four pillars: Equity for all students (including mental health services and special education services implementation); Teacher Advocacy & Support; Community & Family Engagement; and Transparent & Open Communication. I intend to be accessible, transparent, and accountable as a public servant should be to its constituents.
Please name a public leader you admire and explain why.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg. As only the second woman in history to become a Supreme Court justice, she defied many odds and overcame many obstacles. Most importantly, she was a champion for equality and equal rights for all. For this, I admire her and her work, which left a lasting legacy in our country and the world.
What is the most important issue facing your school board, and what would you do about it if elected?
Impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, including learning loss and mental health needs, are the most important issues facing our school community.
I would like to focus on added supports to ensure that our special education students are receiving the services that they need to succeed. I would also advocate for additional programs including summer enrichment, accelerated learning courses, partnerships with tutoring centers, etc. to help students get back on grade level or beyond.
In addition, I would like to focus on hiring more mental health professionals, including school counselors, mediators, etc. to address the increased mental health needs of both the students, teachers, and school staff.
How concerned are you about school safety, and what if anything should be done to improve it?
As a parent, school safety is always in the back of my mind, as I am sure it is for many parents. In order to ensure our schools are safe from threats and individuals that seek to harm our students, we must take a multi-layered approach to include comprehensive screening and reevaluation of teachers, visitors, volunteers, and anyone who enters our school building. We must also foster a culture of ownership with our entire school community to encourage “see something, say something.” Finally, we must continually evaluate and test our safety mechanisms working closely with our Director of School Safety to ensure that the processes in place continue to be effective.
Do you have any concerns about the way history is taught in your district’s schools, and if so, what are they?
Students are in school to become educated. My only concern is that history is taught as accurately as possible at an age-appropriate level, and that the curriculum is culturally competent and responsive and includes the contributions and lessons from all groups of people in our communities.
Do you think there are circumstances when books should be removed from school libraries, and if so, what kind of books should be removed?
In most cases, I do not feel that there is any reason to remove a book from a school library. There may be topics that are not age-appropriate and in those instances, the librarian does a good job of directing students to the kinds of books that are appropriate for their age and grade. This would have to be addressed on a case by case basis, of course, and something that as a board member, I would have to consult with my colleagues on.
