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Frequently Asked Questions | |
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Frequently Asked Questions | |
Q: How long have you lived in District 117?
A: My wife and I moved here in 1998. My 1st daughter was born in 2002 and daughter #2 came along in 2006.
Q: Do you have any kids in the District?
A: Yes, my older daughter is in 1st grade at Dorn Primary Center. My younger daughter will go to Dorn when she is old enough.
Q: What's your educational background?
A: I have a Bachelor's degree from North Central College in Naperville. My major was World History. I was and continue to be fascinated with the past, particularly ancient Greece and Rome. But really, all history is interesting. If you know of a good history book, let me know. I'm always on the lookout for good history books.
Q: Why do you want to be a member of the Board of Education?
A: I think that one of the most important things a parent can do for their kids is to make sure they get a good education. One of the best ways of ensuring that is to be a school board member.
Q: What do you think a school board member's job is?
A: A school system is in the business of producing good kids who can go on to other things in life and make a positive contribution. The board's role in that is to make sure that teachers and administrators have all the tools possible to do that job. .
Q: What makes you think you'd be a good school board member?
A: I work in an elementary school district. As part of my day to day job, I interact with teachers, staff, students, principals, and administrators. I've already been exposed to what a school district does, how it works. I know what works, I also know what might not work. But even more important, I'm concerned with the future of this community. I fully expect that I will welcome my grandchildren for visits to my current house - I never want to move. In order to make sure that the community I have my grandkids over to visit is every bit as great as it is now, we need to produce solid citizens who will make a positive impact on the world. I believe that as long as someone has that attitude, they will be a good school board member.
Q: You work for a school district? Which one? What do you do?
A: I work for Burbank School District #111. My title is "District Technology Educator." Like many titles, that doesn't really capture what I do. Yes, I do all the training on the various technology the District uses. I work with the teachers, the administrators, the staff, parents and anyone else who needs help getting the most out of the various gadgets and programs the students use. Along the way I've had the opportunity to help write curriculum, purchase new equipment, set up and maintain systems, help decide various District policies and a whole host of other areas of running a school district. I also help out in the classrooms from time to time. Just today, I read The Cat in the Hat to a class of 2nd graders in celebration of Dr. Suess' birthday. I even got to wear a cool hat! I've also been a basketball and volleyball referee. I really enjoy my job, and I think it has really prepared me to be a good, productive member of District 117's school board.
Q: Hey, I've got an idea......
A: Lets hear it! I am fully aware
that I'm not going to have all the answers (and if I ever forget, I can
count on my wife to remind me 
).
I also am fully aware that someone else might have a fantastic idea.
I want people to come tell me what they think. A school board that
operates in a vacuum is doing the students and the community a grave
disservice. I promise to listen to what others have to say and to
take that into consideration when making decisions about how I will vote
if elected. I don't promise to always agree with you, but I want to
know what you think
Q: What else are you involved with?
A: I volunteer at the Children's Museum in Oak Lawn. I've worked on the exhibit floor, making sure that the children that visit the museum get the most out of the museum while staying safe. I also set up their computer network.
Q: What else?
A: In addition to that, I help maintain the web site for Kid Safe City in Bridgeview. Kid Safe City is a mini town where kids can go and learn things like traffic safety, fire safety and train safety.
Q: Anything else?
A: The volunteer activity I am most proud of is my work as a Ride Captain with the Patriot Guard Riders. The Patriot Guard is a military support group, made up mostly of veterans who ride motorcycles (I am not a veteran but I do have a bike). Our main purpose is to shield the families of soldiers killed in action from the acts of groups that protest and picket the funerals. We also stand honor guards at the funerals of veterans and welcome home returning soldiers. As a Ride Captain, I work with the families of the soldier or veteran to make sure that everything the family wants, they get. Then, on the day of the homecoming or funeral, I lead the other volunteers in standing a flag line and escorting the family and their soldier to wherever it is they need to be. It is my firm belief that no matter what you think of our nation's foreign policy, the guys and girls that volunteer to go overseas and put themselves in harms way deserve our utmost respect and gratitude. I would encourage you to go look at the Patriot Guard website or to take a look at their Wikipedia entry.
Q: Are you really asked these questions frequently?
A: Well, no. But, I could see someone asking them someday!
