Campaign email: contact@robinharvey.org
Website: www.robinharvey.org
Facebook: facebook.com/supportrobinharvey
Age: 51
Employment: Executive Director, Maryland Department of Human Services, Office of Licensing and Monitoring
Education: Master of Social Work, University of Pennsylvania.
Why are you running for the school board?
I believe that every child has a right to a quality education that propels them toward opportunity, and that taxpayers should see the return on our investment. I am running for the Baltimore County Board of Education in District 1 because a good public education is the promise of America and I believe that I can contribute to fulfilling that promise for our children.
What makes you a good candidate for the board?
Being a social worker gives me a unique vantage point in problem-solving. I’m trained to meet people where they are with a particular focus on listening so that we can begin to solve problems in a way that meets everyone’s needs. I am certified in Results-Based Accountability which is a disciplined way of taking action to improve program performance and quality of life. These are all skills conducive to working collaboratively and strategically to get the outcomes we seek for our children.
Please name a public leader you admire and explain why.
A public leader I admire is (Maryland House) Speaker Adrienne Jones. She is a consensus-builder. Speaker Jones has the ability to quietly get things done on behalf of Marylanders. Her quiet persistence makes her an effective legislator and advocate for all Marylanders.
What is the most important issue facing your school board, and what would you do about it if elected?
Student performance is the most important issue facing public education. Strategies to improve performance and close the performance gap include ensuring that schools have qualified/certified teachers, supporting thriving and active parent participation programs, using data to direct resources, supporting all students in their learning, and applying consistent standards across all schools for construction and renovation.
How concerned are you about school safety, and what if anything should be done to improve it?
Children cannot learn in environments where there is fear or chaos. It is a reasonable expectation that students behave appropriately in the school setting. It is also reasonable to consider their socio-emotional development, including brain development, the presence of Adverse Childhood Experiences as they all impact how a child “shows up” for school. Discipline is often reduced to punishment-consequences for bad choices. Instead, schools should take a balanced approach to accountability, discipline and character development in order to foster self-discipline so that students, teachers and staff can learn in safe environments.
Do you have any concerns about the way history is taught in your district’s schools, and if so, what are they?
My concern is always that history is being taught accurately, factually and fully.
Do you think there are circumstances when books should be removed from school libraries, and if so, what kind of books should be removed?
Books in school libraries should be selected based on age-appropriateness, their contributions to emotional and intellectual development, relatedness to subject matter, and with consideration for different learning styles.
