Qualifications: What training, experience and characteristics qualify you for this position?
SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM: How should the K–12 social studies curriculum balance state, national, and world history to best prepare students to be responsible citizens in today’s world?
TEACHER SUPPORT: How can the SBOE strengthen teacher preparation, certification, and ongoing professional development to support high-quality instruction?
DIGITAL EDUCATION: How can the SBOE balance technology use with traditional instructional methods to best support student learning?
RELIGION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Should Christianity or any other religious beliefs be incorporated into the public school curriculum? Explain your position.
Dana Van De Walker
I am a dedicated and passionate educator with nearly 20 years of experience. I have worked in K-12 education and now enjoy working with Texas youth as a community college professor and administrator.
Social studies education is essential in preparing the next generation to be engaged citizens and responsible community members. We owe it to our children to ensure that history is accurately taught in schools and that all high school graduates leave school with a firm understanding of civics, governance, and economics. Texas youth are the global workers of tomorrow—they should be well-rounded.
The State Board of Ed has great power and great responsibility. We need to ensure that teaching positions are filled with qualified candidates, while also acknowledging that there is a teacher shortage. We need to reassess teacher pay and benefits, routes to alternate certification that actually work, and methods to retain veteran teachers. Professional development is critical in this mission.
I’m not writing responses with generative AI, but I could be. We now live in a reality where we can fear technology or use it to our benefit. Understanding the complexities of technology is something that I’m deeply interested in and on day one, I would prioritize ways to train teacher in digital instruction and new learning technologies (while also dedicating time to be understand tech ethics).
Religion has no place in our public schools. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of religion (including none). Christian ideology or curriculum in TX schools is an assault to this constitutional right. As educators, we can respect a student’s individual right to freedom of religion while also maintaining the core belief of separation of church and state.
OTHER ISSUES: What other issues do you believe will be the most pressing for the State Board of Education?
Religion has no place in our public schools. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of religion (including none). Christian ideology or curriculum in TX schools is an assault to this constitutional right. As educators, we can respect a student’s individual right to freedom of religion while also maintaining the core belief of separation of church and state.
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