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Ashley Smith Juarez's Personal Statement
I am running for School Board because I am a lifelong educator dedicated to doing what is best for Jacksonville’s children. Our students and our city deserve excellent schools. I will use my experience as a classroom teacher, student mentor, athletic coach, dropout prevention specialist and director of an education reform foundation to deliver a top‐notch school system for our children and our community. First‐rate public schools are the key component to a better quality of life for every Jacksonville resident. Jacksonville has waited too long for the schools to improve. The time for better schools is now.
I will make sure our schools and our teachers have the support and accountability needed to provide students with safe, inspiring and focused learning environments. My extensive education experience, leadership and determination are what Jacksonville needs to provide an excellent education for every child while maintaining fiscal responsibility. To learn more about my plan for Better Schools Now, please visit the campaign website at www.ashleysmithjuarez.com.
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stephendare
October 10, 2012, 06:17:28 PMAshley is running against Suzanne Jenkins in the upcoming runoff election for school board.
She will be joining us presently for a live chat session, which should start right at 7 oclock.
Be prepared to ask questions, and keep it civil!
stephendare
October 10, 2012, 06:52:37 PMAshley, when you get to the forum let us know you are here:
Our first question is an email from a reader who wants to know if you have children in the public school system!
AshleySmithJuarez
October 10, 2012, 07:05:46 PMHi Stephen -
Thanks for having me on Metro Jax. I'm looking forward to answering questions from your readers.
stephendare
October 10, 2012, 07:07:38 PMWelcome to the Forums Ashley.
We recently were privileged to have you as a guest at the MJ Board meeting, and it was a pleasure to meet you. Calm, intelligent, dignified and energetic is how you came across.
Its equally a pleasure to have you on the thread with our readers.
AshleySmithJuarez
October 10, 2012, 07:09:37 PMMy husband and I do not have children yet. I have worked with children in education for over 12 years.
stephendare
October 10, 2012, 07:13:09 PMThe followup question in the email (it comes from a supporter of your opponent) asks why you are better qualified than Suzanne, considering she has put two daughters through the system.
We struggled with including this question, but decided that it had merit, and so would like to get it out of the way first.
TheCat
October 10, 2012, 07:13:19 PMAshley,
Is there a school district that you think serves as a good example for Jacksonville?
jaxbeard
October 10, 2012, 07:16:05 PMHi Ashley,
What are your thoughts on gender specific education?
AshleySmithJuarez
October 10, 2012, 07:23:47 PMStephen,
I am glad that you included this question because it is important. I am a committed citizen and I have dedicated my life and career to improving education. I graduated from Vanderbilt with honors with a degree in education and history. I've worked as a teacher, coach, dropout prevention specialist, mentor and volunteer. In my current role, I study education policy, I travel the country looking for what's working and how we can bring best practices here. I have a broad understanding of education and diverse student needs. I will be a fresh new voice for our schools. By contrast, my opponent does not have a college degree, nor any professional education experience.
AshleySmithJuarez
October 10, 2012, 07:26:46 PMThere is no one district. The Boston Pilot School Project, the strategic staffing in Charlotte and the Leadership Academy in Chicago are three good frameworks for things that we should be doing here in Duval.
stephendare
October 10, 2012, 07:27:53 PMany bullet points as to why?
AshleySmithJuarez
October 10, 2012, 07:30:58 PMThanks for the question JaxBeard.
Using gender segregated classrooms, especially in the middle school years, has proven effective for student learning gains. Middle school is an area of significant challenge for Duval County. I would support principals who choose to implement gender segregated classrooms, especially in math and science.
servanthands
October 10, 2012, 07:32:06 PMHow should our school system address the role that social and emotional health plays in a child's education ?
stephendare
October 10, 2012, 07:33:50 PMThanks for the answer, Ashley.
Our second reader submitted question via email is:
"How would the candidate explain what is failing in Duval? What does she think we do well?"
AshleySmithJuarez
October 10, 2012, 07:37:38 PMAll three districts value great teaching and human capital to drive great learning. They promote autonomy at the school level with strong leadership. Duval is a diverse district with urban, suburban and even rural schools. We need creative and flexible solutions that engage all of the stakeholders in the process of overcoming our district's challenges.
AshleySmithJuarez
October 10, 2012, 07:41:15 PMOur schools have to be safe, nurturing and engaging for our students to succeed. Safety and security should be a top priority in each of our schools.
AshleySmithJuarez
October 10, 2012, 07:44:38 PMWe have done a good job at expanding accelerated programs. We need to do better at addressing the needs of our students who are academically behind and make sure that fewer kids fall behind. We need to have a strong relationship with the providers of early learning.
stephendare
October 10, 2012, 07:46:50 PMto the readers question, how would you explain why we are failing to do these things?
TheCat
October 10, 2012, 07:47:36 PMWhat does autonomy mean to you? I believe you have expressed that you want principles to have more authority to develop their "domain" as they see fit and you would like teachers to have more say on how to teach their subjects. Is this correct?
AshleySmithJuarez
October 10, 2012, 07:52:59 PMAutonomy means treating our teachers and principals as professionals who are well trained and equipped to do their jobs.
TheCat
October 10, 2012, 07:58:56 PMand you believe that autonomy is currently missing from the Duval system? If so, what regulations do you plan on dismantling to give our teachers/administrators the ability to be creative...?
stephendare
October 10, 2012, 07:59:23 PMAshley, I know we are at the end of the session, and we loved having you in tonight! What can people do to support your candidate? What would help you most now?
AshleySmithJuarez
October 10, 2012, 08:15:42 PMAutonomy is about empowering effective teachers to educate their students. As a School Board member, I will set policy and encourage the Superintendent to create a culture that fosters excellent teaching and learning in our schools.
stephendare
October 10, 2012, 08:25:45 PMThank you so much for your time Ashley! We look forward to hearing from you before the election.
Any closing thoughts?
AshleySmithJuarez
October 10, 2012, 08:28:48 PMThank you so much for your time and your questions. This is a very important election and a real opportunity to bring a fresh, new voice to our school board. I would be honored to have your vote and I ask that you reach out to your networks and encourage them to vote for me in this election. Always feel free reach out to me at Ashley@ashleysmithjuarez.com, visit www.ashleysmithjuarez.com and also find the Ashley Smith Juarez for School Board page on Facebook to stay updated with my campaign.
Thank you to Metro Jacksonville for providing this valuable forum.
Tacachale
October 10, 2012, 08:44:07 PMThanks Ashley and everyone for this.