Lyndsay Cowles: 2025 candidate for Glen Ellyn Elementary District 89 board

Bio

Office sought: Glen Ellyn Elementary District 89 board (Vote for 4)

City: Glen Ellyn

Age: 43

Occupation: Senior director of academics

Previous offices held: None

Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you?

I am running for the District 89 board because I am both a District 89 parent and an educator with 20 years of experience and expertise. I believe that I can help to provide leadership and guidance to our district as we confront shifts in policy, demographics, and resources. I have been a classroom teacher and a school administrator, and I have created and implemented policies that have resulted in exceptional outcomes for students of all backgrounds.

As a PTC board member at Park View, I have also had the opportunity to see firsthand the daily work of our educators. It is incredible. As a school board member, I want to ensure that our educators continue to have the best conditions to do the work that they do and to put our students first.

What is the role of the school board in setting and monitoring the curriculum?

I believe the school board should ensure that educators have the optimum conditions in which to set, develop, and monitor the curriculum. The school board is responsible for ensuring the work aligns to law and policy and — always — puts students first.

One concrete way to do this work is to be consistently fluent in the data and outcomes around learning, engagement, finances, and more to ensure that the superintendent is leading this work in the most effective and efficient ways.

Are there curriculum issues within the district that you feel need particular attention from the board?

Superintendent Eccarius has spoken a great deal about the importance of ensuring academic growth for all groups of students. I strongly support this vision and hope to provide the policies and resources that our educators need to make this vision a reality.

How do you view your role in confronting policy or curriculum controversies: provide leadership even if unpopular, give a voice to constituents — even ones with whom you disagree, or defer to state authorities?

As a representative of the community, I believe that I must seek the input of all stakeholders — most importantly from those with whom I disagree. Then, as a steward of our school district, I must provide truth and leadership even if it is unpopular. Ultimately, I believe we need school board members who are able to determine when different approaches to controversies are needed.

Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach an agreement and manage school district policy? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions for your school board.

Managing policy in a group setting requires that all stakeholders are operating with a shared set of facts and a shared set of values and goals. My approach in these settings is to break down complex issues to be as simple and concrete as possible. And I am always guided by a “students first” mindset. I believe this approach often clears away assumptions and biases so that we can get to real solutions for students.

What is your assessment of the school district's diversity and equity efforts? Do you support the continuation or enhancement of such programs, of would you rather see them diminished. Please explain your reasoning.

I support all things that contribute to our students' learning and achieving their greatest potential. As long as this is the goal of our diversity and equity efforts, then I support their continuation and enhancement.

Cognitive science has demonstrated that students can learn to their greatest potential when they feel a sense of belonging. Therefore, the ultimate goal of diversity and equity efforts in schools is to create that sense of belonging. These efforts are part of a deeper approach to learning and to putting students first.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

What sets me apart as a candidate is my experience in and commitment to education. For the past 20 years, I have been a classroom teacher and a school administrator, and I am currently the senior director of academics for a charter school network in Chicago.

We serve a high percentage of students who are living in poverty and who do not speak English, and we have also been recognized by MIT, the Broad Foundation, and others for our ability to achieve transformational academic growth with our students.

As District 89 continues to see shifts in demographics and also strives to achieve academic results across all groups of students, I believe I have the depth of experience needed to provide guidance to our educators.

What’s one good idea you have to better your district that no one is talking about yet?

While not new or flashy, I believe that the essential truth about good school districts is that they put students first. A school district is composed of many different groups of stakeholders, so this is not always as easy as it sounds. This may lead us down different paths — for example, investing in teacher development, reducing expenses in one area to support another, or others. But if we are always grounded in what is best for our students, then we will always be improving.