Sergio Antonio Gonzalez: 2025 candidate for Bensenville Elementary District 2 board

Bio

Office sought: Bensenville Elementary District 2 board (Vote for 3)

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

As a candidate for the Bensenville School District 2 board, I bring 15 years of diverse educational experience, including roles as a teacher’s assistant, bilingual elementary teacher, literacy middle school teacher, assistant middle school principal, and middle school principal.

Some of main reasons for running are to: help enhance educational outcomes, advocate for bilingual education, help strengthen literacy and numeracy programs, foster collaborative leadership with educators, parents, and community members.

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

I believe the role of the school board in setting and monitoring the curriculum is to review and approve instructional frameworks and resources that meet and exceed the state’s requirements to ensure rigorous instruction for every student in District 2.

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

I believe that the district should strive to ensure that all teachers are implementing the most effective instructional strategies with a vertically aligned curriculum to achieve exemplary results.

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?

I believe that a board member's role is to prioritize student learning, growth, achievement, and well-being over personal beliefs. We need to ensure that there is community dialogue to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to be heard, and that our decisions are made and guided by current educational research.

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.

In my 15-plus years in education, I've collaboratively worked with teachers, administrators, students, and community members to enhance student success based on educational policy.

My style is to listen and learn first, then lead. This means that I believe in open communication, transparency, collaboration, and a student-centered focus. Again, decisions to determine policy need to be grounded on research and what is best for student success. It is hard to argue against students meeting and exceeding academic expectations, while demonstrating the values of the school and community.

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 believe what makes our district great is our diversity ranging from diverse socioeconomic status families to multigenerational families from all backgrounds. Every student deserves an opportunity to be challenged, supported, and taught. As a district, we need to analyze our data to determine which programs work best for our students.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I love our community. I love education. I want to be a bridge that connects both.

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

I'm not sure if I have a new idea, but I do believe in collective efficacy in our schools. Our students need to believe that we believe in them no matter their backgrounds. We need to demand the highest of expectations of our students while implementing the most effective strategies and structures so they can meet and exceed those expectations.