February 19, 2008
Today I am announcing my candidacy and filing for a seat on the Watauga County Board of Education.
We have an outstanding school system in Watauga County and with the new high school currently being built we have a good foundation for our future. But there is still work to be done to prepare our children to live in the 21st century and to compete in a global economy. It is not enough to be satisfied with our past successes. We can not rest until we have unlocked the potential of every child in the Watauga County School system.
BACKGROUND:
I have lived in Watauga County since 1988. I am married to Matthew Walpole and we have one son, Chandler, who has been a student in Watauga County since second grade. I am a career bookseller. My husband and I have owned two businesses in Watauga County, The Book Revue, 1989 through 1991, and Row by Row Bookshop from 1998 to the present. I earned my BS in Biology in 1982 at UNC Charlotte, and completed the Effective Teacher Training course that many North Carolina counties require for substitute, returning and lateral entry teachers in 1996. I was a member of the Cove Creek Elementary PTSO Board for 3 years, and I have volunteered for almost 3 years with Friends of Watauga. I have had the privilege of working with the children of Watauga County as a Cub Scout and Girl Scout Leader. I also volunteer with Gardens for Humanity and the Watauga County Democratic Party.
PLATFORM:
- Although our drop-out rate in Watauga County is much better than the state average, I believe that we can come up with innovative plans to assure that all our children graduate from high school.- With many of our fine teachers nearing retirement age, I feel that we need to be proactive in recruiting and retaining good teachers in our county. The cost of living in our county is high, and we need to make sure that young teachers are able to live here.
-I want to improve school climate so that every child is in an environment conducive to learning.
-I want to explore ways that the board can be more efficient and effective.
-I want to cultivate new partnerships with business and community groups to enhance educational opportunities.
-I want to expand communication efforts to raise community awareness and parental involvement.
-Working with county and town elected officials, I want to develop a long range vision for the future that captures the passion of everyone in our school system.