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filler@godaddy.com
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filler@godaddy.com
Please reach me at sheila-macdonald@comcast.net if you cannot find an answer to your question.
I'm running for the school board with a clear goal: to ensure Bedford's children, including my own, receive the highest quality education possible. My connection to Bedford is lifelong; it's where I was raised, educated through the local schools from first to eighth grade, and where I've chosen to raise my children. Education runs in my family; my father dedicated thirty years as a principal here, showing me the impact committed educators can have on a community. This personal and family legacy fuels my belief in the strength of Bedford Public Schools.
I am running for school board in Bedford because I deeply care about the future of our public schools, which are at a critical juncture. My commitment to our community's education system has led me to actively speak before the board and advocate for the introduction of new and updated policies. I believe public education is a cornerstone of our community, and I want to play a more significant role in shaping its direction. By joining the board, I aim to leverage my experience and passion to advocate more effectively for public education, ensuring it receives the support and resources necessary to thrive.
Individual board members have no individual authority. School board authority can only be exercised by the board as a whole. I recognize that the true power of a school board member comes from working together with the entire board. While we each have our own views, it's important for us to discuss, question, and debate issues respectfully to drive improvement. This kind of teamwork is what makes us strong. Bedford Public Schools are doing a lot of great things, but there's always room to do even better.
As a parent and community member, I recognize that the district's vision of where we are and where we want to be can sometimes be vague. I am keen to help clarify our goals, making them specific, measurable, and backed by a detailed plan for achievement. I believe in building on the good work already happening in Bedford Public Schools and adopting a mindset of continuous improvement. This means being open, holding ourselves accountable, setting and following through on our goals, ensuring each goal is measurable and using data to guide our decisions. This way, we can ensure that our schools not only maintain their high standards but also keep getting better.
With a diverse background as a teacher and technologist specializing in data analysis, I bring a wealth of experience to the school board. In my role as a teacher, I gained firsthand insight into the daily challenges and triumphs of students and educators. As a technologist, I've worked extensively with data and metrics to help organizations harness their data effectively, enabling them to set and measure goals and make informed, data-driven decisions.
As a parent of three children, I intimately understand the importance of ensuring that every voice is heard in the educational process, particularly those that are often overlooked or marginalized. My personal experiences navigating the educational system, from preparing for college to advocating for my children's needs through 504 and IEP processes, have deeply shaped my commitment to promoting parental involvement and advocacy within our schools.
As a prospective school board member, I understand the importance of listening to truly understand, not just to respond. Learning this throughout my career, I am committed to answering every email and phone call promptly, ensuring that the concerns and perspectives of all stakeholders are heard and considered in decision-making processes. I aim to foster collaboration for continuous improvement.