Theresa Seyring: Candidate Profile
Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: SchaumburgWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Candidate did not respond.Age: 61Family: Our family has a 41 year relationship with Schaumburg. My husband, Gary, and I chose to raise our two sons, Brendan and Bryan, here. They attended Collins Elementary, Frost Junior High, and Conant High School.Occupation: Homemaker/Elementary TeacherEducation: B.S. Elementary Education with minor in Early Childhood EducationCivic involvement: Ten year volunteer Elementary School District 54. Served as parent representative on District Shared Decision Making Team. Responsibilities included Attending yearly training sessions, Institute Days,and district level committee meetings. We addressed such topics as class size, curriculum, specific building concerns, the screening, interviewing and hiring of a new principal. Volunteer at thrift shop whose proceeds provide emergency housing for children at risk Volunteer for Schaumburg Athlete Association, 11 yearsElected offices held: PTA Board Member as Certified Junior Great Books InstructorQuestions Answers Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is it?When a spot opened on the library board, I welcomed the idea of serving an institution that I have loved and respected since its beginnings in the old house, its move to our previous â#8364;#339;new libraryâ#8364;ť building, and now its home in our current facility. Thanks to Scott Foresman and a sight word vocabulary of about ten words, I read my first book and was hooked. I feel warm inside picturing Dick, Jane, Sally, Spot and Puff. As a junior high student librarian, I fell in love with the Dewey Decimal System. I still miss being able to â#8364;#339;touchâ#8364;ť the card catalog. But the excitement for new readers is still there! As a first and second grade teacher I see that it never changes. Our own kids loved the last day of school each year because it meant we could go to the library, check out as many books as their arms could hold, and head for the municipal center grounds for a reading picnic. Imagine! No schedule, and you can read whatever and whenever you want all summer. They enjoyed reading challenges at the library, conducted high school research, prepared for standardized tests, and pursued graduate studies in the silent atmosphere. Our library continues to thrive and is a model facilityâ#8364;#8221;one of the two top public libraries in the state. I would consider it an honor to help facilitate her continued success.If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of important initiatives you've led. If you are a non-incumbent, tell us what contributions you would make.I believe my educational background, my teaching experience, my involvement in our local schools and my ability to work with others to support a common goal will be assets on the board. I will be opened-minded and open to stakeholders. We have an excellent director and a dedicated staff, and I will work with these library professionals to continue the great policies of our current board.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?Wow! I canâ#8364;#8482;t even remember when I got my first Schaumburg Library card. Sometime in the 1970â#8364;#8482;s. But that doesnâ#8364;#8482;t mean Iâ#8364;#8482;m old!Space is an issue at many libraries. If that's the case at your library, would your solution be to expand the physical plant or make room by doing away with parts of the collection that technology has made less critical? Explain.That is the million-dollar question. Expanding the physical plant at our current location is not really feasible. Removing less critical materials from our collection should be a consideration for the library director and staff. They are the professionals and can make appropriate recommendations for consideration.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?Proper growth and management has been the policy of the Library Board in the past. I would work with all stakeholders to make certain our library remains one of the most impressive in the state. When looking at budgets and tax levies fiscal responsibility is always a concern. I would support sensible, moderate plans for the future, but always with our eye on maintaining the exceptional facility we all enjoy. Our library already plays a pivotal role in the local community as well as the community at large. It is a resource for senior, adult, teen, youth, and infant programming. It provides facilities, materials, and disseminates information.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Candidate did not respond.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Malala Yousafzai of Pakistan has become a leader of young girls and women seeking and education. She risks her life every time she speaks.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Take pride in a job well done.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?No do-overs in life. We are meant to learn from our mistakes and go through good and bad experiences. It defines who we become.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Reading. English. Literature. They influenced my career choice, and they take me to places and eras I could never have known.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?I have asked my grown children what stayed with them over the years: â#8364;#339;Donâ#8364;#8482;t do just the minimum. Always give them your best work.â#8364;ť