Editor's note: Candidates for mayor of Springfield, City Council and school board were invited to submit a column in their own words explaining why they are seeking election April 4, or focusing on a topic of their choosing. School board candidate columns were published in ballot order. Links to other candidate's views may be found at the end of this column.
OPINION |
My name is Judy Brunner, and I am a candidate for School Board in Springfield. I am a product of Springfield Public Schools, and my family boasts four generations of SPS students and graduates.
I have had the privilege of working and serving in a variety of school communities with a mixture of needs. For many years, l led buildings all over the district. In every location, I found parents and staff eager to support students, no matter their skills, challenges, or abilities.
While many know me as a teacher or principal, I am also a small business owner. My experience as an education consultant has provided the opportunity to work in school communities across our wonderful country. I understand the challenges facing school districts related to teacher recruitment, facility improvements, and academic achievement. If I am elected to the SPS Board of Education, I will combine my education and business experience to help the district tackle these issues.
From day one, my plan is to focus on three primary components. First, I believe schools must be safe. As a school safety consultant, I have provided training to teachers, counselors, and administrators across our country on topics such as crisis planning and management, the prevention of bullying and harassment, and de-escalating angry conversations. Students and staff must not only be safe, but they must also feel safe.
Second, I believe families must be engaged in the educational process. Educators cannot do it alone, and a positive relationship with families is essential. The district should provide quarterly parent/teacher conference opportunities while administrators actively recruit parent volunteers. I will encourage efforts to invite and include all families to be part of the education of their children.
Finally, I believe all educators need support. From my experience, many districts are struggling to hire in all areas, not just teaching. When staff feel supported and valued, they are more likely to remain employed while encouraging others to join the SPS team. From maintenance to food service to bus drivers, counselors, teachers, and administrators, they all need our backing and positive recognition.
SPS students need a strong foundation in the “basics” to prepare them for the future. Knowing how to read, write, and compute are all vital skills. However, we must also teach students how to be problem solvers and to adapt to new situations. Our graduates must be lifelong learners as we prepare them for jobs we have not yet imagined. As a board member, I want to ensure all our students are ready for whatever comes next.
As a former teacher and principal, I recognize the components of a successful learning environment. Classrooms should be free from unnecessary interruptions with clearly defined expectations and taught by individuals that never forget what it was like to be a student. Educators should provide opportunities for relevant hands-on learning with practical application.
I know how to collaborate, mediate, and lead. I am focused and prepared, and I am ready to roll up my sleeves and be visible in the community that I love while listening carefully to constituent concerns and recommendations. No one individual has all the answers to the issues facing our public schools, but collectively we can, and must, do our best to educate all students in a manner that prepares them for life after their K-12 experience.
During my two-year tenure as Lead Principal at Central High School, our graduation rate increased by 8.74 percent (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education). I can only imagine what we might have been able to accomplish had the pandemic not been a factor. This is what can happen when schools emphasize student and staff safety, engage families, and support educators. As a board member, I will not forget the importance of these components.
It would be a privilege to serve on our local Board of Education.
For additional information about my background, endorsements, and plans, go to BrunnerforSPS.com.
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