Meet Michelle Keating-Sibel, Candidate For Perkiomen Valley School Board

PERKIOMEN VALLEY, PA — As Patch continues its pre-election coverage, check out a profile of Michelle Keating-Sibel, who is one of the Democrats running for a seat on the Perkiomen Valley School Board, one of the more competitive races in the region.

Below, see how Keating-Sibel responded to a Patch candidate questionnaire.

Age (as of Election Day)

43

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Husband Stephen and children, Christian a junior at PVHS and Brennan, 5th grade at Evergreen (PVSD)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

BS Biology, East Stroudsburg University; BS Nursing Villanova University, MS Nursing Villanova University, and Doctor of Nursing Practice, West Chester University

Occupation

Family Nurse Practitioner and Professor of Healthcare Policy and Law, over 10 years experience

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

Campaign website

www.pvpersevere.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I decided to run for the school board because I believe it is important to me that PVSD continue to remain one of the best school districts in the state. I am seeking this office because I have the experience and passion to ensure our students continue to have access to high quality public education.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

At this present moment – the most pressing issue is the division in our community. This has seeped into our homes, classrooms, business and neighborhoods. We have to refocus and remember that we have common goals and objectives. We will get through this, but we need to leverage our opportunities to stand together as a community. The past few weeks, seeing the stands full at the PV Football games was a beautiful sight to see. I appreciate that my opponents are willing to model the behavior we all want to see in the community and that we are able to communicate with kindness and respect. It is my hope that we can all model that behavior, look beyond our differences and focus on our students.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The biggest difference between myself and the other candidates is my background and experience. We faced a tremendous public health crisis this past year, and we will face more. A board should be diverse in representation, and should include experience in education, finance, business and healthcare. As a healthcare professional, with over 25 years experience serving in leadership positions, I believe that I bring a unique perspective which includes caring for people in this community. My experience extends beyond the walls of our schools and into our community.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

N/A

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

No Response

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I do not believe that any accomplishment is earned alone. With that said, with the support of many, I have been an active member of the PV community for the past 15 years. During those 15 years my husband and I have raised two phenomenal children, I have been an adult learner, I have worked full time and I have continued to serve my community proudly in various capacities. Anyone who knows me will attest to the fact that I put my all into service and what I believe in and we have raised our children to honor this commitment as well. My ability to manage my time efficiently and effectively, paired with my passion for excellence in education are evidence that I can not only handle this job, but excel in it.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

You have two ears and one mouth - listen for twice as long as you speak.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My goals as a Perkiomen School Board Director are to serve as a voice for students, educators, and the community when it comes to district needs; to promote a district-wide effort to include the community and families in school programming; and to work with teachers and administration to develop curriculum and programming that promotes a diverse, equitable and inclusive learning environment.