Qualifications
What training, experience and characteristics qualify you for this position?
I am a high school/community college history and government educator. I also taught middle school math and K-6 ELA. I understand both pedagogy and content, which will help with standards approval.
Teacher Support
How can the SBOE invest in the profession of teaching to support high-quality instruction?
The SBOE approves new content and teaching qualifications. The SBOE can support high-quality instruction by ensuring that teachers and students have accurate, fair, inclusive, and well-designed curriculum standards, as well as textbooks and supporting materials. Additionally, they should help to improve certification pathways to increase the number of trained and certified teachers in TX.
AI in the Curriculum
What knowledge and skills related to artificial intelligence (AI) should be included in the Texas curriculum?
Media literacy skills help students differentiate between an AI-created video/photo and a legitimate video/photo. Students should also understand the restrictions that AI has. I make sure that my students see evidence of AI “hallucinations” at the beginning of each research project, so they know not to depend on the information they get from AI without critical examination of the output.
Civics
How can Texas improve civics education and understanding of government?
As a government teacher, I bring elected officials into the classroom to speak to my students. I also require them to research all candidates running for specific offices. This should be common practice in all government classes. Students need to hear from those who represent them and learn to research those who are running for important positions before they go to the polls.
Reading Lists
What considerations would guide your recommendations when revising books lists for required reading?
I do not believe that anyone knows better than the classroom teacher which books are right for their classroom, due to the varying reading levels, interests, and backgrounds of the students of Texas. Any list of books should represent the diverse population of Texas, especially among the young, and allow students to broaden their minds and viewpoints, not center ONE set of beliefs.
