In her own words: Christina Horner for School Committee, March 7th

Christina Horner for School Committee, March 7th 2023

"With 30 years of experience, I will bring the wisdom of a career educator’s perspective who works nationally with all stakeholders in their educational equity journey. This experience, coupled with my volunteerism both locally and statewide will be a valuable asset to our School Committee."

Educational excellence, educational equity, and empathy are an affirmation of the community’s values and expectations as defined by the mission, and vision of the Wellesley community. These priorities are all reflected in skills, knowledge and attributes mentioned in Wellesley Public Schools’ Portrait of a Graduate:

• Respect human differences and challenge inequities

• Create and innovate
• Think critically and solve problems
• Engage locally and globally
• Communicate and collaborate
• Attend to physical, mental, and emotional health

If you agree with Christina's approach to ensure that every student in Wellesley deserves support to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally, please join us by volunteering your time or donating to the campaign.

Educational Excellence

Educational excellence is about improving the academic achievement of all students regardless of their post-secondary goals or career choices. Importantly, it is about ensuring all students become engaged learners in their education and develop the intellectual capacity to become life-long learners who make positive contributions to society.

I have listened to parents and guardians at all levels. At the elementary and middle schools, I believe we need to take a pause in order to reflect on, assess and refine our current math and literacy programs. The curriculum must be research based, engaging, and challenging for all students. Excellence can be achieved when our educators have the time and training necessary to meet each child where they are. Our goal must be to set high expectations and standards that students can meet and /or exceed.

I have seen the transformative impact that effective learning communities can have on the academic performance of all students. Improvement in student outcomes can be achieved with improved teaching. This is best accomplished by supporting an effective Professional Learning Community, where teachers meet regularly (at least once a week) with colleagues to evaluate student and teacher work. Teachers are provided time to collaborate and improve their craft by reflecting upon and refining their teaching methods.

Educational Equity

Excellence in schools cannot be obtained without educational equity. What do I mean by equity in education? Educational equity is ensuring that everystudent, regardless of identity, background, aptitude, learning differences and other factors, has the ability to thrive through access to all resources available in Wellesley Public Schools. The district’s mission is to “provide a high quality, comprehensive educational experience that supports eachstudent's academic, social, and emotional development and prepares them to be global citizens who are college, career, and life ready.”

As a community dedicated to the education of each student, it is imperative that we acknowledge our commitment to every student. As no two students are alike, my goal is to work with all stakeholders, including our students and their caregivers, to understand and implement policies and programs that will support each student to ensure they are truly prepared for college, career and life.

Empathy

As we pursue excellence through equity, the wellbeing of our students and our educators must come first. We cannot underestimate the tremendous negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the resiliency we like to ascribe to children, and the tireless dedication of our teachers, staff and administrators, the reality is that they have suffered real consequences.

Continued focus and support on the mental wellbeing of students and all educators is essential so that they can cope with the demands of school as well as the challenges of life outside of the classroom. We must support our educators so that they feel valued enough to want to remain in our district. I will support policy decisions that result in practices and programs that lead to students and educators having an increased connection to school, to each other, and to the community.

https://www.electchristinahorner.com/