Dear Neighbor,

I have lived in Ward 1 and taught middle and high school social studies in DC for the past 9 years. I recognized the need to engage in advocacy to improve teaching and learning conditions as someone closest to the impact of policy decisions. The past few years in public education have been particularly difficult. To respond to the challenges, I have engaged with policy makers in finding solutions to our most urgent problems -- how to reopen schools safely during the pandemic, how to attend to students’ physical and mental health needs, how to involve student voices in devising solutions, and how to support and retain educators, particularly Latino/a teachers and teachers of color.

Over the past few years the State Board of Education has initiated important work that includes providing richer information beyond just test scores to families. I want to serve you, the residents of Ward 1, in continuing this work, ensuring the State Board supports the needs of families and attends to the realities of our classrooms. Together we can solve our public schools’ most pressing problems, collaboratively working to elevate the perspectives of those with the most at stake.

-Ben