Election 2013 Candidate: Lisa Garvin

Name: Lisa Garvin

Position Sought: lagarvin@comcast.net

Campaign Contact Information: lagarvin@comcast.net

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?: By serving on the school board, I will do my best to ensure that the students of our community are the priority when making district wide decisions that would impacts their education from Kindergarten thru eighth grade. As a school board it is vital to ensure that all students are being served in a fair and challenging manner. It is important that all students are receiving the best education at the learning level that they are at.

Home Address: 4304 Lawn Ave, Western Springs

Family Members:

Bart Garvin, spouse
Molly, daughter (14)
Claire, daughter (12)
Caroline, daughter (10)
Sam, son (7)

Education:

Undergraduate: Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, Illinois
Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work, 1990
Graduate: Jane Addams School of Social Work, University of Illinois,
Chicago
Master’s of Social Work, School Social Work concentration,
1998
Type 73, Illinois School Social Worker Certification, 1998-present

Current Occupation and Employer:

Current: Homemaker
Past: 1999-2006 Oak Park & River Forest High School, School Social Worker, Contractual
1997-1998 Oak Park & River Forest High School,
Graduate Intern
1996-1997 Director of Social Services, Fairview Baptist Home
1993-1995 Glencliff High School, Nashville, TN
Drug & Alcohol Prevention Counselor,
STARS (Students Taking a Right Stand)
1993-1994 Grassland Middle School, Franklin, TN
Drug & Alcohol Prevention Counselor,
STARS (Students Taking a Right Stand)
1990-1992 Case Manager, Proviso Family Services,
Melrose Park, IL

Political Party Affiliation:

Why are you seeking office?: I hold a unique perspective on education as both a parent and a person who has worked professionally in the field of education. I have been hands on in our schools for over a decade in the classrooms, the PTO, and alongside the teachers and parents in our community. I take seriously the growth and health of our children and serving on the D101 Board would allow me to represent our students both academically and emotionally.

What sets you apart from the other candidates (if applicable)? I believe my education and professional experience in the field of social work, especially my work within the school setting, equips me to represent our students and families at the social and emotional level. My experience with special education will also bring representation of those families whose children are served in our district with special education needs. I’ve enjoyed volunteering in a variety of ways within our schools to support our teachers, library, parent organizations and school events. To serve on the board would be yet another opportunity to support and promote our district, administration, teachers and students.

What are the other issues you plan to address in this position, and how?: I believe my education and professional experience in the field of social work, especially my work within the school setting, equips me to represent our students and families at the social and emotional level. My experience with special education will also bring representation of those families whose children are served in our district with special education needs. I’ve enjoyed volunteering in a variety of ways within our schools to support our teachers, library, parent organizations and school events. To serve on the board would be yet another opportunity to support and promote our district, administration, teachers and students.

Please add any other information pertinent to your campaign:

Issues I see as important to the district:

1. Ability to balance excellence of education and the availability of funds to our district budget. Our teachers are paid below state average yet the teacher turn over rate is quite low. District 101 retains quality staff who are invested in the success of their school and students. The Board should continue to work hard at making our teachers feel they are a valued resource.

2. Student & Building safety - The board has recently made enhancements in the safety standards for our children. This issue will require frequent conversation and evaluation that we are current in providing the safest learning environment for our students and our community.

3. Determining how to best utilize technological advances in the classroom/educational setting. Making sure that the district is current with best practice regarding technology introduction and use at an age appropriate level. At the same time teaching kids the tools to respect their “digital citizenship” and proper use of the internet.