James, Katie, and I moved to Lakeville from Saint Louis Park when Katie was a toddler. We researched the Twin Cities metro based on the following criteria: housing value, ease of transportation, and school excellence. Lakeville was at the top of our list and we were able to find a home that fit our needs at a reasonable cost and in a great location. We were thrilled with the community’s dedication to exceptional education and excited about being part of one of the fastest growing cities in the metro.
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| Us picking blueberries in Michigan last summer. |
We enrolled Katie in Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) through Lakeville Area Community Education and the experience was so wonderful, I decided to donate time to the ECFE Advisory Council in a marketing role (2007-2008). In 2007, we welcomed Preston to our family and I remained on the ECFE Advisory Council, serving as Vice Chair (2008-2010) and then as Chair (2010-2011). I was invited to participate in Leadership Lakeville, sponsored by Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce, as Chair of the ECFE Advisory Council. Both were amazing experiences! Collaborating with community members and school staff to have an impact on our community was extremely rewarding.
Both Katie and Preston benefitted from quality classes at Small Wonders Preschool through Lakeville Area Community Education. Once again, we were thrilled with the high level of learning and excellent staff members. Our experiences with Community Education during sporting and other educational courses continued to be rewarding. Engaged children excited about play and learning are an asset to our community in many ways. Early childhood education programs are vital for building communities filled with families who are able to avoid use of safety net programs and trouble with the law. Other community benefits include improved graduation rates and higher employment earnings.
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Katie attended Crystal Lake Elementary School for both kindergarten and first grade, while Preston remained in Small Wonders. Our involvement continued to build and we were pleased with our community and the services we enjoyed as active members.
When Crystal Lake Elementary was closed due to budgetary concerns, it was a tough transition; however, as partners in our community we did our best to remain flexible and positive. Katie moved over to Oak Hills Elementary for second grade and after a year of volunteering, I decided to become officially involved in the Oak Hills Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). The co-president role was open, so I figured I might as well dive in headfirst!
I learned a crucial lesson about being inclusive while serving as PTO president. I was reminded that not all people have had the experience our family has had. Not all relationships have been positive and not every education experience is without turmoil. My understanding comes from my perspective alone and it is important to listen to and empathize with the experiences of community members. All deserve the respect of having their voices heard because it will be as a community working together that we continue to prosper, making Lakeville one of the best places to raise a family.
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| My family enjoying the Chart House's patio this spring. |
What makes an effective school board member and what skills do I possess that qualify me to represent our community?
Vision
I support the Lakeville Area Public Schools vision of world-class, personalized learning ensuring the success of all students and am capable of measuring the success of our district and our superintendent against our goals.
Transparency
You will always know where I stand on issues. I also advocate for all open public meetings to be live feeds, including study sessions. An important role of the public sector is to debate publicly in accordance to the Minnesota Open Meeting Law.
Communication
I enthusiastically participate in discussions about the direction of education in Lakeville and beyond. I am an active learner who is interested in ideas from everyone in my community that progress our community forward.
Leadership & Collaboration
I have been leading successful teams for over 25 years. From high school and college level captain roles to senior management and volunteer leadership, I have led success through development of capable team members.
Budget Management
My professional experience includes fiscally sound government program budget management and reporting. The Minnesota School Finance Guide is an excellent resource.
Student Focus
My priority is to focus on what is best for all students and their achievement. Complying with laws regulating public education and advocating for community input is imperative.
Public Education Advocacy
I am an active advocate for public education at the local, state, and national level and am able to collaborate with diverse populations.
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| Us visiting the Soudan Underground Mine State Park. |
James and I look forward to being proud parents of Oak Hills Elementary students for 2014-15 with Katie in fifth grade Ignite! and Preston in first grade. Blessings for a safe and fun summer to you and yours!
REMINDER - Please vote in Jackie Craig as Lakeville Area Public Schools Board of Education member on November 4, 2014. Thank you!
