A’Seret Dokubo: 2025 candidate for Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 board

Bio

Office Sought: Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 board (Vote for 4)

City: Schaumburg

Age: 36

Occupation: Associate vice president, product

Previous offices held: None

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

As a former student of District 54, I recently moved back to Schaumburg to ensure my two young children benefit from the district’s strong academics as I did. However, as a student I also navigated school experiences where my teachers and peers did not look like me. That lack of representation impacted my confidence and how I engaged in the classroom, ultimately shaping my desire to become an educator and role model.

My motivation to serve on the school board stems from a commitment to ensuring all students feel a sense of belonging from the first day they walk into a classroom and to improving academic outcomes, particularly for Hispanic and Black students, who continue to face disparities in achievement.

Additionally, as someone who would bring a fresh perspective to district leadership, I am eager to understand and address the district’s recent increase in student discipline and suspensions, which have risen by 60% between the 2023 and 2024 school years. We must ensure that our discipline policies are equitable and that all students feel supported in their learning environments. I’m committed to listening, learning, and leading to create a stronger District 54 for all students.

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

The role of a school board member in setting and monitoring the curriculum is largely supervisory. Board members are responsible for approving the resources that schools use and ensuring that students are meeting academic standards. However, it’s equally important that the board has clear policies and processes that allow parents and guardians to provide feedback and raise concerns about curriculum decisions.

I also know from my experience working with district leaders in other states that administrators should have the ability to leverage research to make informed curriculum recommendations while incorporating the expertise of teachers who work with these materials daily.

Teachers are the content experts who will be using these resources in classrooms, so their input is critical in determining what will be most effective. A collaborative approach ensures that our schools provide high-quality, research-based instruction that meets the needs of all students.

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

One curriculum area that deserves continued attention from the board is the selection and implementation of high-quality instructional materials.

In recent years, the district has convened task forces of educators to provide input and feedback on phonics and math curriculum decisions. I support this approach, as it ensures that teachers, whom are the content experts, have a voice in selecting resources that best meet the needs of students.

I believe the board should continue to prioritize the use of evidence-based, high-quality instructional materials while also ensuring that teachers receive the necessary training and support to implement them effectively.

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 all policy decisions should be guided by one fundamental question: Is this truly serving all students in the community?

As a school board member, I would take the lead on understanding the diverse opinions and perspectives in our community, while ensuring that every decision is grounded in the best interests of students.

I strongly believe in empowering our constituents and stakeholders, even when I may personally disagree because an effective school board must represent the entire District 54 community.

However, while it is important to listen to concerns and consider public sentiment, I would also rely on data, research, and district goals to make informed decisions that align with the best educational outcomes for all our students. A school board member should have the courage to make difficult but necessary choices that support long-term educational excellence.

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 our District 54 educators know, teaching is inherently collaborative. We rely on our peers, our school leadership, and our broader community to find the best practices and outcomes to see all our students succeed.

In my current and previous leadership roles within education nonprofit organizations, I have worked alongside school-based leaders, district leadership teams, state education departments, advocacy organizations, and families to develop and implement policies related to inclusive special education services, tiered supports for trauma-informed practices, and the use of high-quality instructional materials in math.

My experience reinforces an approach to policy development that is collaborative, data-driven, and student-centered. I have the desire, experience, and leadership skills to engage all stakeholders — teachers, administrators, families, and students — and seek consensus that benefits and reinforces a sense of belonging and agency for all our students.

Together we can ensure that policies are not only well-designed but also practical for implementation.

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 special educator, equity, and inclusion are central to my professional beliefs. Additionally, as someone who identifies as biracial, I believe that celebrating and embracing diversity in all forms is critical to ensuring that every student experiences a sense of belonging.

Without feeling a part of our school community, students cannot reach their potential. As such, I fully support the continuation of the district’s diversity and equity efforts.

From my lens as an educator, I believe the district has made positive strides toward equity and inclusion by creating a task force to develop a shared vision for equity, providing ongoing district-wide professional development for staff, establishing school-based equity teams, and making efforts to recruit and hire staff that better reflect the student population.

However, to truly understand the impact of current efforts, the community needs to know how success in these areas is being quantified. One way to approach this is for the district to set clear, measurable benchmarks for their three key pillars of equity and inclusion and track progress in these areas over the long term

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I bring a unique and well-rounded perspective to this role. Not only did I attend Collins Elementary School and Keller Junior High as a student, but I am also a parent of young children who will soon be entering the district, giving me both personal experience and a vested interest in the future of our schools.

Additionally, I offer a fresh perspective, as most of the current board has been seated for at least eight years. My background as a former teacher and my current work as an education professional, collaborating with urban and suburban school districts across eight states, has provided me with a holistic view of education.

I understand the challenges districts face and have experience developing policies and programs that lead to meaningful improvements in student outcomes.

With my deep commitment to student success, my experience as a leader in education policy and implementation, and my ability to bring a collaborative, data-driven approach to decision-making, I will be well-equipped to serve the students, families, and educators in Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Hanover Park, Elk Grove, and Roselle.

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

One idea to better engage families, particularly young parents, in district initiatives and priorities is creating more accessible, flexible ways for them to participate in school board discussions and decisions.

Through conversations, I’ve heard that while parents are often deeply involved in their child’s classroom or school community, many are less aware of the board’s role in shaping district-wide initiatives.

One solution could be a dedicated app, website, or blog where parents can easily follow board discussions, provide asynchronous input on agenda topics, and stay informed in a way that fits their busy schedules.

Additionally, interactive meeting summaries, quick mobile surveys, and an opt-in text update system could remove barriers to engagement and ensure that more voices, especially those of younger parents, are included in shaping the district’s future.