Allison Albert: 2025 candidate for Indian Prairie Unit District 204 board

Bio

Office Sought: Indian Prairie Unit District 204 board (Vote for 4)

City: Aurora

Age: 42

Occupation: Business owner

Previous offices held: None

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

There’s a quote that perfectly sums up why I’m running: “I always wondered why somebody didn't do something about that. And then I realized I was somebody.”

I’m running because I care — I’m a parent, educator, homeowner, and business owner, deeply invested in this community. My husband and I chose to raise our family here because of the incredible schools, dedicated teachers, and engaged community. While many students thrive, achievement gaps persist.

As an educator, curriculum writer, and professional development specialist, I’ve seen these challenges firsthand. We need evidence-based practices to support all students effectively. Our school board must prioritize student success, equity, and safety. Schools should be places where every child feels valued and supported.

Now more than ever, we need leaders who listen, advocate, and take action. I’m ready to serve and would be honored to earn your vote. Together, we can ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.

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

The school board plays a vital role in shaping and monitoring the curriculum to ensure students receive a high-quality education that meets state standards and community expectations.

While they don’t create the curriculum, they approve, oversee, and evaluate it alongside the superintendent, educators, and curriculum specialists. Their responsibilities include approving educational materials that align with district goals and ensuring equity by promoting diverse and inclusive content.

They also monitor student outcomes, review achievement data, and engage with the community for transparency. As education standards evolve, the board must adapt by keeping the curriculum relevant, research-based, and innovative while also balancing academic freedom with accountability to laws and policies.

Ultimately, the school board’s role is to ensure that students receive a rigorous, fair, and inclusive education that prepares them for future success.

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

Yes, there is a significant achievement gap among our minority and low-income students, particularly in reading and math proficiency. This issue becomes evident as early as elementary school testing and continues throughout their education.

A lack of evidence-based, best-practice curriculum, along with insufficient professional development for teachers prevents meaningful progress and improvement.

As a result, we see lower proficiency rates persisting, reduced enrollment in honors and AP courses, and ultimately, lower graduation rates. Addressing this issue requires a commitment to implementing research-backed curriculum strategies, including shifting our K-5 literacy curriculum from the current balanced approach to a more structured model aligned with the state’s literacy plan.

Additionally, providing educators with high-quality training and resources is essential to ensuring they can effectively support all students and improve literacy outcomes across the district.

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?

My role is to provide leadership, even when faced with difficult or unpopular decisions. This means actively seeking feedback from constituents, including those who may disagree with me, to ensure diverse perspectives are considered.

It also involves carefully evaluating the impact of curriculum policies on the entire student body and making informed decisions that prioritize student success. Additionally, I believe in fostering transparency by educating the community on these findings, helping to bridge understanding and build trust. Strong leadership means balancing community input with evidence-based decision-making to create policies that serve all students effectively.

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.

As a business owner, I continuously collaborate with my team to establish policies that best serve our customers and align with industry best practices. My team is deeply engaged with the community, allowing us to stay responsive to evolving needs.

As a leader, I set the vision, hire talented staff, and trust in their expertise while fostering a collaborative decision-making environment. We consider diverse perspectives, ensuring that our final approach reflects the most effective solution.

I believe this approach — welcoming differing viewpoints to create stronger outcomes — would be invaluable on the school board.

As an educator, current district parent, and business owner, I bring a unique and well-rounded perspective that would help shape policies that truly benefit students, teachers, and the community.

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

As a member of P3, a group of African American parents from each of our district’s three high schools that collaborates with school administration to support students, I have firsthand experience with the district’s DEI efforts.

These programs are essential in fostering a sense of belonging, building community, and providing students with opportunities to engage with professionals who offer invaluable real-world experience. I fully support continuing and enhancing these initiatives, as they strengthen school-community relationships and enrich students’ education.

As a Professional Development Specialist, I’ve also presented on DEI to district teachers and have seen their eagerness to engage with all students in the most inclusive and effective ways possible. When we invest in DEI programs, we ensure that every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I am the best candidate for the school board because I bring a unique and well-rounded perspective as a business owner, educator, district parent, and community leader.

As the only nonincumbent candidate, I offer a fresh voice and new ideas to address the challenges our district faces. My experience has equipped me to listen to diverse viewpoints, find common ground, and implement effective solutions.

As a P3 member, I have worked alongside school administration to support students, gaining direct insight into the district’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts and their role in fostering student belonging.

Additionally, as a Professional Development Specialist, I have presented DEI-focused training to teachers, demonstrating my commitment to ensuring educators have the tools to support all students effectively.

I believe in strong leadership that prioritizes student success, engages the community, and makes data-driven decisions. My experience as an advocate, educator, and leader will help drive meaningful improvements in curriculum, equity, and student outcomes, ensuring every student receives a high-quality education.

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

A great way to enhance our district is by launching a “Community Skill-Sharing” program, where local professionals, artisans, and tradespeople volunteer to lead workshops or short courses in our schools.

This initiative would provide students with hands-on learning experiences and introduce them to diverse career paths, bridging the gap between classroom education and real-world skills.

A software engineer could teach coding, a mechanic could cover car maintenance, a chef could offer culinary lessons, and a financial expert could lead budgeting workshops. These opportunities would enhance career readiness, particularly for students with limited exposure to such experiences outside of school.

Beyond academics, this initiative would strengthen community ties, allowing local businesses and professionals to engage directly with students, inspire future generations, and invest in the district’s success.

By fostering structured partnerships between schools and the community, we can enrich student learning, expand career exploration, and create a stronger connection between our schools and the world beyond the classroom.