Neighbor News
Hoping to Give Back
Retired Southern Regional HS teacher Barbara Crystal is running for a seat on the Stafford Township School District Board of Education.
I graduated with a BS in Education from the University of Virginia in 1986, and an M Ed in Special Education Technology from George Mason University in 1988. I was a special education self-contained 5th-8th grade teacher in Arlington, Virginia from 1988-1993. I then served as a 9th-12th grade special education resource, and in-class support teacher at Southern Regional High School from 1993-2021. I have two adult daughters who attended Stafford Township Schools, and graduated from Southern Regional High School. Both of my daughters received an excellent educational foundation in Stafford. I firmly believe that all of our township’s children should also experience the same high quality of instruction.
Over the last year, I attended two school board meetings to express my thoughts regarding serious issues. I was also distressed to learn about another situation that would directly affect our children. I, like many community members, felt that the official communication about, and the professional accountability measures involved in our superintendent’s incident needed to be enhanced. In addition, it saddened me to read that high quality teachers were opting to leave the district. In the past, the majority of Stafford teachers, like Southern Regional teachers, would spend most of their careers working in their districts. Our students lose out when good teachers move on to other districts.
As a former teacher, mother and long-term community member, the following are my priorities:
To Promote Educational Excellence
To Support Our Exceptional Staff
To Listen to All - Students, Parents, Families, Staff, and Community
To Provide Oversight and Transparency Regarding District Projects and Concerns
If elected to serve on the school board, I intend to initiate periodic listening sessions with community members. It truly takes all of us working together to provide our children with the best possible start on their educational journeys. I will also monitor district projects to insure that they are conducted in a efficient, and fiscally responsible manner. I loved serving Stafford’s children and families as an educator, and hope to be able to give back to our community as a member of the Stafford Township School District Board of Education.
Thank you,
Barbara Crystal
Manahawkin
