Dannine Johnson
for
Prince George's County
Board Of Education, District 6
"TAKING EDUCATION INTO THE 21ST CENTURY"
Thank you!
I want to thank all my volunteers and supportors who helped me through this journey. This was my first time running for an elected political position. It was so much fun hearing from the community about education and other issues in Prince George's County. I hope everyone continues to keep themselves knowledgable of not just about the politics, but also about the issues and leaders in our county. How are leaders serving you and your community? What are specific actions that they are taking to show that they have your best interest when making decisions?
Congratulations to the Primary winners of the District 6 Board of Education race!
This is not a defeat for me. These are experiences, lessons, evolements....I'm taking it all in.
Thank you!
-Dannine
Who is Dannine?
Dannine has lived in Prince George’s County for nearly 30 years. Her sons received their education from public schools. She stayed involved in their education and their schools. She was the PTSA President for Central High School for 4 years. Educated at an HBCU, Howard University, where she received an engineering degree, she knows information technology (IT), science, and math are critical to today’s student success. "Technology is all around us. We should take pride that our schools prepare our children for the 21st century...but they do not."
Platform
2020 was year a change for everyone in America. We were faced with a pandemic that seemed to be out of control as the weeks and months went by. The pandemic exposed issues that communities usually ignored or pretended to care about. One of the most vulnerable populations, our children, along with those who support our children faced additional obstacles.
Infuse technology in all schools
Communities had to rethink how their students were receiving their education. Although distance learning is not a new concept, the lack of technology used in schools made it appear foreign to our students. Schools are no longer just about "reading, writing, and arithmetic". Information Technology (IT) is all around us. It is time that Prince George's County bring our schools into the 21st century. We need new and upgraded school buildings that are designed to use every day technology. We need to revamp our curriculum so that our children can begin learning not only basic IT skills, but critical thinking skills that will make them career and college ready. We need our teachers to become effective teachers in the 21st century, i.e., teaching with today's tools and technology.
"If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow." -John Dewey
Increase teacher compensation
Teachers are important to a community. They shape the young minds of future citizens of our community and the world! We should focus on retaining and attracting quality teachers by raising teacher pay. If we cared about our children, we would take care of teachers. Prince's George's County is often dubbed the "Richest African-American county in America". We should ensure that our teachers do not struggle to live in the county that they teach because of low wages.
"When we become a really mature, grown-up, wise society, we will put teachers at the center of the community, where they belong. We don't honor them enough, we don't pay them enough." -Charles Kuralt
Make student mental wellness a priority
Many students deal with adult problems. It is an unrealistic expectation to think that all of our children can learn in overwhelming and stressful conditions they may face away from school. As studies show, increasing social workers and mental health professionals in schools result in higher academic rates and social emotional development. Utilizing and implementing these resources can help the success rate of our youth.
"If you carry a well of shame and unresolved trauma inside of you, no amount of money, no measure of success or celebrity, can fill it." -Demi Moore
accouNtability for student achievement
Some research show that schools under accountability pressures may alter testing conditions to boost observed test scores in ways unintended by policymakers. Student achievement is more than standardize tests. Student achievement can be shown in the high standards and clear expectations for students, teachers, administration, and parents. Student achievement can be shown in the programs we develop for our students, the projects our students create, the high parental involvement our parents can give. Collectively, we (parents, teachers, the adminstration, students, and the community) are all responsible for our students' successes. Once we realize that we have to come together, to work together with CARE for our children, all of our students can achieve what they want to achieve.
"Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today." -Malcolm X
STRENGTHEN CURRENT AND ESTABLISH NEW COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS
As a parent, it was difficult to know where to find information about the partnerships that schools had with the community. Even as the PTSA president as I tried to establish those partnerships, I rarely found a place or anyone who knew all of what was available to students and families. If partnerships are available, they should not be hard to find especially to those who need those connections most. Schools should know about them. Schools should also ensure their students know about them.
"Community schools develop a culture in which the overall well-being of children is supported so that teachers can focus on the job of teaching." -JoAnne Ferrara and Eileen Santiago
Leadership
Professionalism, Integrity, and Respect
Parents are children's first educators. Adults model the behavior that children will imitate. As parents, adults and as public figures, we must continuously set examples as stewards of good citizenship. Plain and simple, I treat people the way I want to be treated. I lead with professionalism, integrity and respect. I am fair, because everyone's voice matters.
"Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity, they think of you." - H. Jackson Brown