APS School Board candidates?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AGIA didn’t endorse anyone either. I guess both can before the General but why?

I feel like all of the candidates kinda. Suck. Kathleen is the most qualified, but she's part of the system so nothing will change. Larry was going to be my #2 but him not answering AGIA changed everything for me. Congrats Zuraya. I don't like you, but guess you got my vote. I would write in a candidate before I would vote for Chen. Maybe we should all write in Paul.

I found this Larry quote in the NAACP forum where he talks about trans kids. (https://youtu.be/TqnyKnjVKio?t=5535) (1:32:15 - 1:34:22)

"I have had trans students in my class. The other students are quite accepting. I think a lot of the issue comes from outside of the class. Let me just say that this is one of those cases where a teacher is not student-facing, a teacher is engaged with their students. They are helping them build their life, their identity. Another thing I may mention is that I’m a Bethesda Friends Meeting Chair of Religious Instruction and Pastoral Care. I was the lead in drafting our policy on marriage. It says that our meeting will solemnize the union of any two persons. Specifically, I had to work on that for a couple of years because people wanted to change it to between a man and a man, a woman and a woman, and I held out for no. Trans is coming, we need to allow for that, that’s what I believe. That’s the kind of thing we need – the attitude that we need to bring into the classroom but we got to give teachers time to build those relationships, you got to give counselors the time to build those relationships that are going to make those students, not just safe, but happy, fully grown people. "

Personally, I really like this sentiment and I can't help but point out that Larry is one of the few that has some experience with forming policy on this subject.

+1

Is he Quaker?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just hope an independent (not Rives) runs so that I can break my "promise" and vote for someone who is actually qualified and not part of the machine. They won't win, but I'd feel better about this vote.

You don't think Kathleen is qualified? What are your standards?

Kathleen is the only one qualified. I hate every option for #2. I hope someone else runs as an independent.

I like Kathleen but she is NOT the most qualified. She has done a lot of good work, especially in the special ed sector but Larry is the most qualified.

He was:
- Former President of the CCPTAs
- Chair of the Science Advisory Committee
- Co-Chair of the Advisory Council on Instruction
- LULAC liaison to the NAACP
- teacher at Wakefield and I think W-L
- both of his kids went thru k-12 in APS

So you don't want someone who is part of this system, but you're good with this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AGIA didn’t endorse anyone either. I guess both can before the General but why?

I feel like all of the candidates kinda. Suck. Kathleen is the most qualified, but she's part of the system so nothing will change. Larry was going to be my #2 but him not answering AGIA changed everything for me. Congrats Zuraya. I don't like you, but guess you got my vote. I would write in a candidate before I would vote for Chen. Maybe we should all write in Paul.

I found this Larry quote in the NAACP forum where he talks about trans kids. (https://youtu.be/TqnyKnjVKio?t=5535) (1:32:15 - 1:34:22)

"I have had trans students in my class. The other students are quite accepting. I think a lot of the issue comes from outside of the class. Let me just say that this is one of those cases where a teacher is not student-facing, a teacher is engaged with their students. They are helping them build their life, their identity. Another thing I may mention is that I’m a Bethesda Friends Meeting Chair of Religious Instruction and Pastoral Care. I was the lead in drafting our policy on marriage. It says that our meeting will solemnize the union of any two persons. Specifically, I had to work on that for a couple of years because people wanted to change it to between a man and a man, a woman and a woman, and I held out for no. Trans is coming, we need to allow for that, that’s what I believe. That’s the kind of thing we need – the attitude that we need to bring into the classroom but we got to give teachers time to build those relationships, you got to give counselors the time to build those relationships that are going to make those students, not just safe, but happy, fully grown people. "

Personally, I really like this sentiment and I can't help but point out that Larry is one of the few that has some experience with forming policy on this subject.

+1

Is he Quaker?

That's a good answer, but still would like to know why he did not bother to respond to AGIA????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AGIA didn’t endorse anyone either. I guess both can before the General but why?

I feel like all of the candidates kinda. Suck. Kathleen is the most qualified, but she's part of the system so nothing will change. Larry was going to be my #2 but him not answering AGIA changed everything for me. Congrats Zuraya. I don't like you, but guess you got my vote. I would write in a candidate before I would vote for Chen. Maybe we should all write in Paul.

I found this Larry quote in the NAACP forum where he talks about trans kids. (https://youtu.be/TqnyKnjVKio?t=5535) (1:32:15 - 1:34:22)

"I have had trans students in my class. The other students are quite accepting. I think a lot of the issue comes from outside of the class. Let me just say that this is one of those cases where a teacher is not student-facing, a teacher is engaged with their students. They are helping them build their life, their identity. Another thing I may mention is that I’m a Bethesda Friends Meeting Chair of Religious Instruction and Pastoral Care. I was the lead in drafting our policy on marriage. It says that our meeting will solemnize the union of any two persons. Specifically, I had to work on that for a couple of years because people wanted to change it to between a man and a man, a woman and a woman, and I held out for no. Trans is coming, we need to allow for that, that’s what I believe. That’s the kind of thing we need – the attitude that we need to bring into the classroom but we got to give teachers time to build those relationships, you got to give counselors the time to build those relationships that are going to make those students, not just safe, but happy, fully grown people. "

Personally, I really like this sentiment and I can't help but point out that Larry is one of the few that has some experience with forming policy on this subject.

+1

Is he Quaker?

Ok, but he should answer AGIA’s questionnaire too. Not everyone is going to come to DCUM to figure out if he’s a friend to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just hope an independent (not Rives) runs so that I can break my "promise" and vote for someone who is actually qualified and not part of the machine. They won't win, but I'd feel better about this vote.

An APS teacher just announced

I saw that in AEM. I don’t know how I feel about him. Maybe we can get a real race if others run as an Independent.

OP. I only know him from AEM. He seems rather combative, but I don't know much about him otherwise. He's definitely more qualified than Chen and Zuraya so there's that.

How is he combative? I just searched his past posts, he seems passionate but I'm not getting a combative vibe.

I think some are perturbed about how he and a group of other teachers led an effort to persuade teachers not to authorize AEA as their official union. Didn’t they try to firm another union?

I saw a post from someone else on AEM (another teacher?) that was combative. Sounded like sour grapes to me. But that doesn't mean Paul is combative just because he opposed AEA. Would love to hear more about the AEA stuff. Anyone?

I'm curious as to why Paul and his friends formed ATU (Arlington Teachers' Union) too as a counterpoint to AEA.

hmmm...maybe because AEA doesn't do anything?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AGIA didn’t endorse anyone either. I guess both can before the General but why?

I feel like all of the candidates kinda. Suck. Kathleen is the most qualified, but she's part of the system so nothing will change. Larry was going to be my #2 but him not answering AGIA changed everything for me. Congrats Zuraya. I don't like you, but guess you got my vote. I would write in a candidate before I would vote for Chen. Maybe we should all write in Paul.

Are you kidding? Kathleen has been speaking up loudly for years. She's definitely not "part of the system." She did learn the system, but that's what's needed to be effective.

Here's an article with KC speaking up back in 2022.

https://wjla.com/news/local/bullying-arlington-county-mom-claims-autistic-son-tricked-into-saying-racial-slur-assaulted-after-gym-class-swanson-middle-school-6th-grader-kathleen-clark

Lol. Kathleen is the chair of the strategic plan committee. If that's not the system, I don't know what is.

I'm not saying she's not qualified. I'm saying I don't think much will change with her in the seat.

That’s a parent volunteering and getting engaged. I’m curious what you’re looking for in a candidate - a Trump-like candidate with zero prior involvement or experience? We have two of those for you.

Or people like Kathleen and Larry who have engaged with and know APS well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AGIA didn’t endorse anyone either. I guess both can before the General but why?

I feel like all of the candidates kinda. Suck. Kathleen is the most qualified, but she's part of the system so nothing will change. Larry was going to be my #2 but him not answering AGIA changed everything for me. Congrats Zuraya. I don't like you, but guess you got my vote. I would write in a candidate before I would vote for Chen. Maybe we should all write in Paul.

Are you kidding? Kathleen has been speaking up loudly for years. She's definitely not "part of the system." She did learn the system, but that's what's needed to be effective.

Here's an article with KC speaking up back in 2022.

https://wjla.com/news/local/bullying-arlington-county-mom-claims-autistic-son-tricked-into-saying-racial-slur-assaulted-after-gym-class-swanson-middle-school-6th-grader-kathleen-clark

Lol. Kathleen is the chair of the strategic plan committee. If that's not the system, I don't know what is.

I'm not saying she's not qualified. I'm saying I don't think much will change with her in the seat.

That’s a parent volunteering and getting engaged. I’m curious what you’re looking for in a candidate - a Trump-like candidate with zero prior involvement or experience? We have two of those for you.

Or people like Kathleen and Larry who have engaged with and know APS well.

I voted for Kathleen, okay? Not Larry because his last real experience was in the early 2010s. (I know plenty of parents who substitute teach. None of them should be running for SB either.) I know that the school board is a thankless job, but I just wish there were candidates that actually want to question and attempt to fix the system, but not in an APE burn it all down sort of way. It seems that most are Hatched out and then we get these crop of losers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AGIA didn’t endorse anyone either. I guess both can before the General but why?

I feel like all of the candidates kinda. Suck. Kathleen is the most qualified, but she's part of the system so nothing will change. Larry was going to be my #2 but him not answering AGIA changed everything for me. Congrats Zuraya. I don't like you, but guess you got my vote. I would write in a candidate before I would vote for Chen. Maybe we should all write in Paul.

Are you kidding? Kathleen has been speaking up loudly for years. She's definitely not "part of the system." She did learn the system, but that's what's needed to be effective.

Here's an article with KC speaking up back in 2022.

https://wjla.com/news/local/bullying-arlington-county-mom-claims-autistic-son-tricked-into-saying-racial-slur-assaulted-after-gym-class-swanson-middle-school-6th-grader-kathleen-clark

Lol. Kathleen is the chair of the strategic plan committee. If that's not the system, I don't know what is.

I'm not saying she's not qualified. I'm saying I don't think much will change with her in the seat.

That’s a parent volunteering and getting engaged. I’m curious what you’re looking for in a candidate - a Trump-like candidate with zero prior involvement or experience? We have two of those for you.

Or people like Kathleen and Larry who have engaged with and know APS well.

I voted for Kathleen, okay? Not Larry because his last real experience was in the early 2010s. (I know plenty of parents who substitute teach. None of them should be running for SB either.) I know that the school board is a thankless job, but I just wish there were candidates that actually want to question and attempt to fix the system, but not in an APE burn it all down sort of way. It seems that most are Hatched out and then we get these crop of losers.

Only reason I am considering voting for Larry is precisely the fact that his APS experience was over 10 years ago - back when the quality of APS education was much better. Having someone who knew what it was like then and can bring that perspective today could be helpful and refreshing. His current substitute teaching in APS gives him the direct comparison, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AGIA didn’t endorse anyone either. I guess both can before the General but why?

I feel like all of the candidates kinda. Suck. Kathleen is the most qualified, but she's part of the system so nothing will change. Larry was going to be my #2 but him not answering AGIA changed everything for me. Congrats Zuraya. I don't like you, but guess you got my vote. I would write in a candidate before I would vote for Chen. Maybe we should all write in Paul.

Are you kidding? Kathleen has been speaking up loudly for years. She's definitely not "part of the system." She did learn the system, but that's what's needed to be effective.

Here's an article with KC speaking up back in 2022.

https://wjla.com/news/local/bullying-arlington-county-mom-claims-autistic-son-tricked-into-saying-racial-slur-assaulted-after-gym-class-swanson-middle-school-6th-grader-kathleen-clark

Lol. Kathleen is the chair of the strategic plan committee. If that's not the system, I don't know what is.

I'm not saying she's not qualified. I'm saying I don't think much will change with her in the seat.

That’s a parent volunteering and getting engaged. I’m curious what you’re looking for in a candidate - a Trump-like candidate with zero prior involvement or experience? We have two of those for you.

Or people like Kathleen and Larry who have engaged with and know APS well.

I voted for Kathleen, okay? Not Larry because his last real experience was in the early 2010s. (I know plenty of parents who substitute teach. None of them should be running for SB either.) I know that the school board is a thankless job, but I just wish there were candidates that actually want to question and attempt to fix the system, but not in an APE burn it all down sort of way. It seems that most are Hatched out and then we get these crop of losers.

Out of curiosity, not trying to be combative which I know is hard to convey in anonymous forums, but what experience or indicators of a desire to fix the system are you looking for in an ideal candidate? We agree on the anti-APE stance but we differ on seeing those two candidates as having experience and a desire to make things better rather than seeing them as part of the system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AGIA didn’t endorse anyone either. I guess both can before the General but why?

I feel like all of the candidates kinda. Suck. Kathleen is the most qualified, but she's part of the system so nothing will change. Larry was going to be my #2 but him not answering AGIA changed everything for me. Congrats Zuraya. I don't like you, but guess you got my vote. I would write in a candidate before I would vote for Chen. Maybe we should all write in Paul.

Are you kidding? Kathleen has been speaking up loudly for years. She's definitely not "part of the system." She did learn the system, but that's what's needed to be effective.

Here's an article with KC speaking up back in 2022.

https://wjla.com/news/local/bullying-arlington-county-mom-claims-autistic-son-tricked-into-saying-racial-slur-assaulted-after-gym-class-swanson-middle-school-6th-grader-kathleen-clark

Lol. Kathleen is the chair of the strategic plan committee. If that's not the system, I don't know what is.

I'm not saying she's not qualified. I'm saying I don't think much will change with her in the seat.

That’s a parent volunteering and getting engaged. I’m curious what you’re looking for in a candidate - a Trump-like candidate with zero prior involvement or experience? We have two of those for you.

Or people like Kathleen and Larry who have engaged with and know APS well.

I voted for Kathleen, okay? Not Larry because his last real experience was in the early 2010s. (I know plenty of parents who substitute teach. None of them should be running for SB either.) I know that the school board is a thankless job, but I just wish there were candidates that actually want to question and attempt to fix the system, but not in an APE burn it all down sort of way. It seems that most are Hatched out and then we get these crop of losers.

Out of curiosity, not trying to be combative which I know is hard to convey in anonymous forums, but what experience or indicators of a desire to fix the system are you looking for in an ideal candidate? We agree on the anti-APE stance but we differ on seeing those two candidates as having experience and a desire to make things better rather than seeing them as part of the system.

I think I'd like to see people run who actively try to change the system positively for *all* students (not just their own - hi APE!), and not those who think they can change the system by being on the inside. CCPTA, ACTL, while nice, is just really working to perpetuate the system. Nothing meaningful has come out of either for a long time. The only person who came close to being that person of change was Symone Walker who ran in 2020. (We all know what happened there, and I don't want to rehash it.) Whatever you think of her, the previous NAACP Ed Committee forced APS to adopt structured literacy after years and years of advocacy.

Now everyone (including APS leadership and APE) wants to take credit for their work.

Honestly, if Chen or Zuraya had any new innovative thoughts and initiatives and had worked within and amongst APS and community advocacy that supports the schools before throwing in their hat, I would have been happy to vote for them. But they just seem like opportunists.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone noticed that you can't write anyone in online? I was going to put in a vote for Independent AEM teacher but can't. Maybe I'll vote in-person instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone noticed that you can't write anyone in online? I was going to put in a vote for Independent AEM teacher but can't. Maybe I'll vote in-person instead.

Because this is the Dem caucus for the four candidates seeking the Dem endorsement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone noticed that you can't write anyone in online? I was going to put in a vote for Independent AEM teacher but can't. Maybe I'll vote in-person instead.

Because this is the Dem caucus for the four candidates seeking the Dem endorsement.

In a democratic system though, you should be able to write in candidates. Even for the Democratic endorsement. I feel like I've written in candidates before in the primary. It's just ArlDems protecting their own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AGIA didn’t endorse anyone either. I guess both can before the General but why?

I feel like all of the candidates kinda. Suck. Kathleen is the most qualified, but she's part of the system so nothing will change. Larry was going to be my #2 but him not answering AGIA changed everything for me. Congrats Zuraya. I don't like you, but guess you got my vote. I would write in a candidate before I would vote for Chen. Maybe we should all write in Paul.

Are you kidding? Kathleen has been speaking up loudly for years. She's definitely not "part of the system." She did learn the system, but that's what's needed to be effective.

Here's an article with KC speaking up back in 2022.

https://wjla.com/news/local/bullying-arlington-county-mom-claims-autistic-son-tricked-into-saying-racial-slur-assaulted-after-gym-class-swanson-middle-school-6th-grader-kathleen-clark

Lol. Kathleen is the chair of the strategic plan committee. If that's not the system, I don't know what is.

I'm not saying she's not qualified. I'm saying I don't think much will change with her in the seat.

That’s a parent volunteering and getting engaged. I’m curious what you’re looking for in a candidate - a Trump-like candidate with zero prior involvement or experience? We have two of those for you.

Or people like Kathleen and Larry who have engaged with and know APS well.

I voted for Kathleen, okay? Not Larry because his last real experience was in the early 2010s. (I know plenty of parents who substitute teach. None of them should be running for SB either.) I know that the school board is a thankless job, but I just wish there were candidates that actually want to question and attempt to fix the system, but not in an APE burn it all down sort of way. It seems that most are Hatched out and then we get these crop of losers.

Only reason I am considering voting for Larry is precisely the fact that his APS experience was over 10 years ago - back when the quality of APS education was much better. Having someone who knew what it was like then and can bring that perspective today could be helpful and refreshing. His current substitute teaching in APS gives him the direct comparison, too.

+1

interesting take

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AGIA didn’t endorse anyone either. I guess both can before the General but why?

I feel like all of the candidates kinda. Suck. Kathleen is the most qualified, but she's part of the system so nothing will change. Larry was going to be my #2 but him not answering AGIA changed everything for me. Congrats Zuraya. I don't like you, but guess you got my vote. I would write in a candidate before I would vote for Chen. Maybe we should all write in Paul.

Are you kidding? Kathleen has been speaking up loudly for years. She's definitely not "part of the system." She did learn the system, but that's what's needed to be effective.

Here's an article with KC speaking up back in 2022.

https://wjla.com/news/local/bullying-arlington-county-mom-claims-autistic-son-tricked-into-saying-racial-slur-assaulted-after-gym-class-swanson-middle-school-6th-grader-kathleen-clark

Lol. Kathleen is the chair of the strategic plan committee. If that's not the system, I don't know what is.

I'm not saying she's not qualified. I'm saying I don't think much will change with her in the seat.

That’s a parent volunteering and getting engaged. I’m curious what you’re looking for in a candidate - a Trump-like candidate with zero prior involvement or experience? We have two of those for you.

Or people like Kathleen and Larry who have engaged with and know APS well.

I voted for Kathleen, okay? Not Larry because his last real experience was in the early 2010s. (I know plenty of parents who substitute teach. None of them should be running for SB either.) I know that the school board is a thankless job, but I just wish there were candidates that actually want to question and attempt to fix the system, but not in an APE burn it all down sort of way. It seems that most are Hatched out and then we get these crop of losers.

Only reason I am considering voting for Larry is precisely the fact that his APS experience was over 10 years ago - back when the quality of APS education was much better. Having someone who knew what it was like then and can bring that perspective today could be helpful and refreshing. His current substitute teaching in APS gives him the direct comparison, too.

+1

interesting take

It is interesting, I just don't see Larry being the type to ask the hard questions and to push for change. He seems... disorganized at best.