ISSUES

As an educator advocate, I have helped students in foster care receive the education they deserve.  Students are often shuffled from school to school, having to start over each time and missing critical instruction.  This makes it difficult to receive needed assistance and qualify for special education.  I will work with DCF and the SBOE to create innovative statewide solutions so every child can receive what they need for quality education.

When special educators have the full resources available, we are able to position students towards competitive integrated employment, providing job coaching, and allowing students increased opportunities to excel towards their success in a marketplace economy.

Every great businessperson can remember their favorite teacher.  We need to ensure the education profession is valued - allowing highly trained teachers to direct their classrooms and providing them with the time and resources needed to do the job. 

All students need to have access to a quality Kansas education, no matter what part of the state they live or the abilities they have.  Free appropriate public education is the foundation of our system as it provides opportunities to students they would not receive anywhere else.