Nana Agyeman: 2023 Candidate for Lincolnshire-Prairie View District 103 School Board

Bio

Town: Lincolnshire

Age on Election Day: 41

Occupation: Stay at home Father

Employer: N/A

Previous offices held: N/A

Q&A

Q: Why are you running for this office, whether for reelection or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you?

A: I have always had a desire to help support the community. Since moving to Lincolnshire, I have had the opportunity to coach my kids teams and serve on the Parent Education PTO. The opportunity to serve on the board leverages my experiences from being a father of four and former educator to build upon the strong and inclusive curriculum for our teachers and students.

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

A: I believe the board must be responsive and receptive to parents, staff, students and the community at large, encouraging an open dialogue. The board must take input from all groups and weigh all the facts before making a decision.

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

A: No issues with current curriculum, rather I would like to ensure we continue to support an inclusive curriculum that values learning about diverse cultures, incorporates social emotional skill development, and continues to build on executive function learning tools for students.

Q: 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?

A: I see my role is to listen to all stakeholders, to understand what is important to them, and help to identify common ground.

Q: Concerns are growing regarding a new resurgence of the pandemic. If another massive outbreak of infectious disease occurs, what have we learned from the COVID-19 pandemic that will guide your decision making?

A: The importance of leveraging experts and data to make informed decisions. As well as understanding the need to adapt as information and knowledge changes.

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

A: While teaching I was part of a committee that evaluated which reading curriculum to select to bring us up to date with the newest standards. This experience helped me to get visibility into the various companies that support curriculums as well as the trade offs that have to be made when selecting a new curriculum to meet the needs of our students and faculty. My style is to listen to different points of views, not be afraid to ask questions, and share my opinion, all while keeping the ultimate goal of identifying what is best for the students, faculty, and district.

Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?

A: If elected as a board member my efforts would center on serving all of the children in the community. We live in a diverse community and have to celebrate that diversity. My desire to understand different points of view and my interest in connecting with people will help support what I believe to be one of the key success factors of the role, to listen and connect with the community in order to best represent the district's needs.

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

A: I see an opportunity in helping to further incorporate executive functioning skills and strategies within the curriculum including ideas for practicing at home.