Katie’s priorities.
Equity
I want to ensure that every student receives a high quality education and has the support and resources needed to achieve. This means focusing on closing the academic gap between our white and Black and underserved students and making sure every student is able to read at grade level by the end of Third Grade. To do this, schools must have the tools and flexibility to serve their individual school communities, and APS must build and maintain trust with the communities our schools serve.
Innovation, Collaboration and Partnerships
No one can do it alone, and Atlanta has a wealth of resources and partnerships that APS can further utilize and grow to benefit all our students. I want to see APS support more apprenticeships, in-school programs and other opportunities that enrich, engage and provide exposure for our students from elementary through high school. We can foster more collaboration and innovation by sharing and learning from each other’s best practices and proven methods of success among traditional, charters and partnership schools. Also critical through partnerships is the expansion of Pre-K and Early Learning Centers by continuing to work with organizations that can help us serve more children at a critical stage of development.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
Our children need to feel safe and supported in order to learn to their best ability, which is why I believe Social Emotional Learning (SEL) must be fully supported by the District and implemented in our schools. These resources can also help bolster our school counselors and social workers who are already working hard to support all our students.
Accountability
APS must hold schools accountable for the quality of education they provide their students and must make sure every school is fully supported and resourced so that they can meet the educational needs of all their students and provide them with an enriching experience. In order to do this, I believe APS must always be fully funded, but I also recognize and take seriously the impact of rising property values, and in particular, their effect on our long-time residents. I commit to exploring responsible property tax relief while making sure APS is fully and adequately funded.
An APS parent, Atlanta native, and a proud APS graduate.
My passion for education, coupled with my experience as a public servant who wants the best for our city and our most promising residents - our children - has motivated me to pursue taking my school volunteer work to the next level as the next representative for District 1 of the Atlanta Board of Education.