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“I am in it for the long haul. I want a collective school board who wants to work together. I love our school system and I want what is best for our kids in this system,” said Brooke Baker, running for the Buena Vista School Board.
If elected, Baker’s primary focus would be on the wellbeing of Buena Vista students.
“If elected to the School Board, there are several changes that I would prioritize in order to improve the education system and ensure the success of all students,” she said.
“I would work towards creating a safe and inclusive learning environment where students feel supported and empowered. This would involve implementing policies to prevent bullying and harassment, promoting mental health awareness and support services, and fostering a positive school culture that celebrates diversity.”
Baker would also like to see updates to the schools’ curriculum.
“I believe that the curriculum should be designed to meet the needs of all students and prepare them for the challenges of the future,” she said.
“This would involve reviewing and updating the existing curriculum to ensure it is aligned with current educational standards and best practices. Not all students are going to go to college; we need to look at different trades to help prepare our kids for their future.”
One challenge Baker sees for the school division is teacher retention.
“Teacher retention is a critical issue that small school systems, such as ours, often face,” she said. “Small school systems face unique challenges in this regard, such as limited resources, lack of professional development opportunities, and isolation from larger educational networks.” To address this, Baker would focus on competitive salaries and on finding more professional development opportunities for teachers in the division.
“By offering competitive compensation and benefits, creating a supportive work environment, providing professional development opportunities, implementing mentoring programs, promoting work-life balance, engaging the community, and recognizing teachers’ contributions, small school systems can improve teacher retention rates and ensure the success of their students.”
Another challenge for the division is student mental health, something Baker’s background gives her a unique perspective on.
“As someone who majored in psychology and sociology in college, I would address student mental health needs by emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach that prioritizes social, emotional, and cognitive wellbeing,” she said.
“Fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment that promotes social connections, mutual respect, and a sense of belonging among students is a must.”
She would increase mental health education in Buena Vista schools, and make use of digital resources.
“We have a vast array of technology advancements at our fingertips. We need to offer digital resources, such as online therapy platforms, mental health apps, and online support groups, to provide students with accessible and convenient mental health support,” she said.
“By incorporating these strategies and resources into school policies and practices, teachers and staff can help promote the mental well-being of their students and create a more supportive and inclusive learning environment.”
Baker graduated from Buena Vista schools, and has family connections to the division.
“I attended BVCPS my entire childhood career. My husband was a graduate of Parry McCluer, my daughter is also a graduate of Parry McCluer, and my son is currently in elementary school with BVCPS.”
She believes personal connections are the division’s strength.
“Being from a small town, you know people and are not just a person in passing. This is the greatest strength of BVCPS. The teachers and staff are hometown faces. There is a strong connection between the children and their peers and their teachers and staff members.”
