Live Chat: School Board Candidate Ashley Smith Juarez

[Metro Jacksonville]

Live Chat: School Board Candidate Ashley Smith Juarez



Ashley Smith Juarez an energetic and impassioned political newcomer, who is committed to reforming the Duval County Public School System, will join Metro Jacksonville this evening for a Live Chat. Visit us at 7pm as Ashley joins to answer your questions and talk about her plans for the school board for a full hour!!

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-oct-live-chat-school-board-candidate-ashley-smith-juarez

[AshleySmithJuarez]

Hi Stephen -
Thanks for having me on Metro Jax. I'm looking forward to answering questions from your readers.

[AshleySmithJuarez]

My husband and I do not have children yet. I have worked with children in education for over 12 years.

[TheCat]

Ashley,


Is there a school district that you think serves as a good example for Jacksonville?

[jaxbeard]

Hi Ashley,

What are your thoughts on gender specific education?

[AshleySmithJuarez]

Stephen,
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]

Ashley,


Is there a school district that you think serves as a good example for Jacksonville?

There 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.

[AshleySmithJuarez]

Hi Ashley,

What are your thoughts on gender specific education?

Thanks 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]

How should our school system address the role that social and emotional health plays in a child's education ?

[AshleySmithJuarez]

Ashley,


Is there a school district that you think serves as a good example for Jacksonville?

There 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.

any bullet points as to why?

All 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]

How should our school system address the role that social and emotional health plays in a child's education ?

Our 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]

Thanks 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?"

We 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.

[TheCat]

What 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]

What 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?

Autonomy means treating our teachers and principals as professionals who are well trained and equipped to do their jobs. 

[TheCat]

and 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...?