Over the years, my wife and I have been very committed to and involved in our children’s education. I recognize the value of parental involvement in education. It’s important that we meet the educational needs of all of the students in our school district, regardless of their abilities or limitations. We have been active in the community by volunteering to help with school events and parent groups and by participating in community events. Serving on the USD 204 school board is a way that I can support the district and promote the communities it serves.
In addition to my experience as a parent, my career in Information Technology has provided me with knowledge and skills that would prepare me to serve on a school board.
How does my IT experience help a school board? Oh, let me count the ways…
1. IT people hold a lot of meetings. So I have experience with meetings.
2. Frequently, I must communicate my activities/projects to a non-technical audience. I’ve learned to communicate well with others.
3. IT projects get input from a bunch of different people/groups. I’ve learned how to prioritize input.
4. Like the government, IT can’t solve everybody’s problems. When a decision is made regarding the direction of a project, people may be upset. I’ve learned how to communicate with upset customers. Same with doing tech support.
5. IT folks are almost always asked to do more with less resources. I’ve learned to adapt and maximize the investment in time, money, product, etc.
6. IT projects are almost always started and ended on someone else’s decision. I’ve learned to be flexible and deal with decisions beyond my control.
I am an active member of Clear Creek Baptist Church, serving as Commander of our AWANA program and providing technology and media support. I am also an active member of the National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation, the National Federation for the Blind, and the Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired parent group. My past memberships include the Kansas Association for the Gifted Talented and Creative, and the National Association for Parents of the Visually Impaired.
