L-W District 210 Board Candidate Tessa Quinlan: Election '23

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Name: Tessa Quinlan

Age as of Election Day: 47

Town/city of residence: Mokena

School district: Lincoln Way HS Dist 210

Family: I am married to my husband, Mike for 21 years and we have three beautiful children, Gavin 18, Ava 16, and Addisyn 12.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Education: St. Camillus 1989 (Chicago), Maria HS 1993 (Chicago), College of St. Francis 1996 (Joliet) BA in Management and Marketing

Occupation: Upon graduation, I worked for not for profit industries, I was Marketing Director for an Alzheimers Assisted Living Facility. I am now a full time Stay at Home mom, but I do work part time as a Substitute teacher in the Will Country Area mainly Mokena schools as well as a part time events coordinator for a therapeutic Ranch facility in Manhattan, IL HHH Ranch.

Campaign website: Quinlan for Lincoln Way District 210 School Board

Previous or current elected or appointed office: I served 6 years on an international charity that caters to my son's rare disease, Dup 15q Alliance, I was Conference Chair for all 3 biennial family conferences. I also served on the Lincoln Way Area Special Education 843 Foundation Board.

The most pressing issues facing our (board, district, etc.) are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them. I believe one of the most pressing issues facing our district is teacher/staff/paraprofessional retention and valued service. Although, retention has remained fairly consistent over the years within the LW district, my intention on how to maintain and entice new and experienced candidates would be to reengage current teams and improve our communication thru open and honest discussions to reduce any turnover and improve the quality of care of our established staff. "A rising tide lifts all boats" -John F. Kennedy

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? I would say that one of the most critical differences between me and the other candidates is that I am a special needs parent with two registered children in the LW 210 district and one incoming in the next few years. I would like to allow for improvement for all students in our district and be a voice for special services students and families. We live in a well-respected district. Our LW District has exemplary status amongst our general education students, which says a lot about the administration and teachers who serve our student body. We can maintain that success, and leverage that to create the same exemplary status for our special services students. While I am experienced and focused on special services- creating inclusion, fostering diversity, and enhancing equity supports for our district special services students. I want to be able to balance out the Board and bring a perspective that currently does not exist.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community or district? Many Special Needs families move to districts based on personal recommendations regarding what districts can provide best quality of care and supports for our children. Enhancing our district special services is possible, many more innovations, and opportunities await. Let's not put off for tomorrow what can be done today.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform. In describing the issues that define my campaign is one where I look forward to seeking an opportunity for change while maintaining the integrity and respect Lincoln Way has rightly achieved. My primary focus is where I can see my best attribute in being elected on Lincoln Way school board is adding balance that would include special services. My platform is about diversity, equity, and inclusion for students where they had not had opportunities before while maintaining a level of standards that Lincoln Way has maintained throughout the years. Special services is just one of my areas I speak of, but I am also committed to increasing opportunities for LW 210 students who may chose more of a vocational route of job training career path.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? Leadership & Administration: I served six years on the Board of Directors for Dup 15q Alliance primarily as Conference Chair. This international rare syndrome, a 501(c)(3) charity that has helped hundreds of families by providing education, access to specialists, and celebrating differences.

Planning & Finance: special needs parents have to plan for the future. Because my son cannot make medical and/or financial decisions for himself, my husband and I had to file guardianship over our son when he turned 18. I have navigated federal and state programs as well as establishing a special needs trust for our son. I have made sure my son would not be penalized for having funds that can count against him in his future.

A Fresh Perspective: I know my background differs from the other candidates, and that's OK, as we need to see a variety of on our school boards to allow for balance. I am no stranger to hard work. I will bring the same heart and dedication to achieving our goals for District 210 as I have for my family and special needs community.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office a success? An accomplishment for me, if elected, is to see a greater presence and increased participation for special services students both in school and in our community.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking? I only want to utilize tax dollars where, and when most needed with an emphasis of healthy financial acumen. For example, adhering to the districts, processes and procedures, and working within (not outside of) an approved budget.

What are your thoughts on how the district has handled the COVID-19 pandemic? I am proud to say that I believe our district, faculty and teachers provided the utmost care to our children and provided them the best education given ever-changing circumstances during the pandemic. I feel they are effortless in their attempts to identify and close learning gaps with their students.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, some school boards saw extremely heated disagreements during public meetings. If elected, what changes, if any, need to be made to ensure meetings are run efficiently while still allowing open discussions? In my experiences of attending school board meetings, it is a one-sided look into understanding our district. Our district families need to feel like an active team member where our opinions do matter. We must try to understand that families don't feel the need to speak up unless they feel it is truly needed. I would want to have better communication between our school board and families, where families can be made to feel like an active participant. With that said, in order to maintain time during a school board meeting, I feel a concern needs to be addressed be assigning a member for follow up (if needed) with the concerns.

How do you feel about sex education being taught in school? Should an LGBTQ component be included, and why or why not? My feelings on the sex education matter is to about having talks, discussions, that start at home is first. I feel it is our parental way of establishing a level of communication with our own children. But I do know our school social workers are there to support as well if needed. I am for all efforts of enhancing programs or adding components that stay within our district policies and standards that will support and educate one's academic achievement.

What are your views on critical race theory and whether it should be taught in the district? My views at this time are that discussions should begin at home. If school supports are needed to be further discussed in such matters, I would recommend to seek out those that have the professional background to discuss. My approach to this is to allow for parents to be heard, review research, and collaborate with my other board members and educational professionals to find the best suited solution for our district students. Every student in this district has the right to feel safe, worthy and their true self while achieving an academic milestone.

When it comes to student achievement, what are schools within this district doing well and what needs to be improved? How can those improvements be made? I believe our student achievements have been above standard for many years, our district is cited to having exemplary status, which proves LW 210 is doing something right by our students. By achieving to do so, we have to acknowledge the teachers/supports that have provided the necessary building blocks to make it happen. However, we can improve by looking at our percentages of those who don't meet the standards and take a look at how we can better support them. I believe those improvements can be made by adding additional resources for those to achieve a level of success within their own abilities. With those supports, we can allow for confidence and pride in what they do now and in the future. Programs dealing with students' beliefs and values must be implemented with care and communication. https://www.illinoisreportcard...

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No, I am a fully committed parent advocate.

The best advice ever shared with me was ____________: Some best advice ever shared with me is to always remain who I am. It's not about what I've done, it's about how I've made an impact for others. Advocating is in my blood ever since our son was born. I have always had the best intentions when advocating in trying to lead with an open mind and to try to see compromise from both sides. I see no benefit in confrontation, but rather put my efforts into compromise.