Liz contacted me personally to challenge a comment I made (in good faith and transparency) on social media. So it’s interesting that she says she stays off social media. Quite honestly, her contacting me to argue against my opinion tells me what I need to know about her ability to listen to diverse opinions.
As I told you in our messages, someone flagged a comment that you made about me on Nextdoor and I reached out for clarification. I also told you a little bit about what I've been doing while campaigning to hear from and learn from diverse populations in our district. That includes visiting about 95% of our schools and meeting with about 90% of our principals. I have also talked to many parents, guardians and students all across our district. I have attended meetings or met individually with almost all the division leadership, as well. I respect and appreciate hearing from all stakeholders and if I am on the board will take all of their input into consideration before making decisions that are in the best interest of our students.
The board is already heavy on educators. Diversity of thought is needed. It seems like her ‘business’ experience is running an in-home daycare. And her mention of her husband on the board, running unopposed for all those years, is exactly why there are 7 candidates running. Vote 3 Dads for change.
Hi Margaret! I am proud of my background and running my own in-home daycare! I have a lot of non-profit business and management experience outside of that, as well. After earning a Master's degree and certificate, I ran several programs for MPS where I was responsible for designing curriculum, managing program budgets, reviewing grant applications and ensuring programmatic and budgetary compliance for various grants. In my role at the Medical College of Wisconsin, I developed and continue to manage an innovative program to support physicians and their board requirements. As part of this program, I work with healthcare providers to improve patient care at Children's Wisconsin, Froedtert Hospital, Children's Medical Group, Medical College Physicians and Community Physicians through continuous process improvement, which includes a lot of data collections and analysis. I also train and manage about a dozen coordinators to ensure compliance to various accrediting bodies and helped develop my department's strategic plan.
I have heard Liz talk about learning loss during Covid. Several candidates/board members who were in favor of keeping students out of school are now blaming the academic decline and behavior issues on Covid and kids getting used to being back in school. How long will that excuse be used? Current and former board members fail to take responsibility for where we are today. That’s why people have gotten so involved and vocal yet no one seems to care. Hearing parents AND acting sure would go a long way. Fighting so hard to keep a majority on this board is so very telling. A few 4-3 votes would be a nice change of pace. This all feels like more of the same to me.
Hi Danielle! I’ve discussed academics A LOT while running and COVID learning loss is only one factor while looking at where our district is academically. My background in education will be a valuable asset as the district and board work to implement new things to help all of our learners grow. Happy to discuss more, please feel free to email me- lizfortosaschools@gmail.com
Totally agree, Jeff. I also think we should get definitions for “diversity” and “inclusion” -- the three get lumped together, but I am not sure what people mean when they advocate for it (I have an idea, and I don’t care for it).
They are both used, best I can tell, to mean “more non-white people regardless of local demographics or the availability of qualified non-white people for the roles.”
Diversity -the practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders and sexual orientations
"Equity and diversity should be supported for their own sake"
Inclusion -the practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those who have physical or intellectual disabilities and members of other minority groups.
" We value and promote diversity and inclusion in every aspect of our business"
These are the definitions of these words. And I believe this is what this candidate means when she uses these terms, however....I do not speak for her. I will speak for myself and on behalf of my child though. My child who is disabled and is a part of a marginalized group. The practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion are some of the best things to happen in our schools. My child is fully included in her Wauwatosa school. Which not only benefits her, but all of her typical classmates as well.
I'm not sure how old you are, or how long ago you attended school. It's been some time for me. But I can tell you that things were much different back then. "Different" kids were not in class with us. It created a separation...a feeling of their inferiority. If you are the parent of one of these kids who happens to be different... starting school is one of your biggest fears. Will my child be included? Will my child have friends? Will they be bullied....be laughed at or made fun of....or worse? I am so relieved to tell you that because of the inclusive atmosphere we've created here in Wauwatosa....none of this has happened. ALL marginalized groups deserve the same. My child makes your child a better person... and vice versa. Including people who are different than you does not equal less for you.
This is too long to read. I skimmed it and don’t find appeals to emotion particularly persuasive. DEI is used as an ambiguous bludgeon for all sorts of negative things, and it almost universally refers to racial diversity when used, not physical disabilities. But you know this. You also know the issue comes in how the “definitions” are implemented.
I'm sorry that it's difficult to read multiple paragraphs. I'm also sorry that you cannot understand where I'm coming from. I do hope that our children are able to interact and learn from one another though. I hope you have the best day ever.
Hi Tanya, I am on social media to post on my campaign page :) I avoid all other social media, but glad you noticed me. Still happy to answer any questions you may have about why I am running. Have a great weekend!
Liz contacted me personally to challenge a comment I made (in good faith and transparency) on social media. So it’s interesting that she says she stays off social media. Quite honestly, her contacting me to argue against my opinion tells me what I need to know about her ability to listen to diverse opinions.
Hi Matt!
As I told you in our messages, someone flagged a comment that you made about me on Nextdoor and I reached out for clarification. I also told you a little bit about what I've been doing while campaigning to hear from and learn from diverse populations in our district. That includes visiting about 95% of our schools and meeting with about 90% of our principals. I have also talked to many parents, guardians and students all across our district. I have attended meetings or met individually with almost all the division leadership, as well. I respect and appreciate hearing from all stakeholders and if I am on the board will take all of their input into consideration before making decisions that are in the best interest of our students.
The board is already heavy on educators. Diversity of thought is needed. It seems like her ‘business’ experience is running an in-home daycare. And her mention of her husband on the board, running unopposed for all those years, is exactly why there are 7 candidates running. Vote 3 Dads for change.
Hi Margaret! I am proud of my background and running my own in-home daycare! I have a lot of non-profit business and management experience outside of that, as well. After earning a Master's degree and certificate, I ran several programs for MPS where I was responsible for designing curriculum, managing program budgets, reviewing grant applications and ensuring programmatic and budgetary compliance for various grants. In my role at the Medical College of Wisconsin, I developed and continue to manage an innovative program to support physicians and their board requirements. As part of this program, I work with healthcare providers to improve patient care at Children's Wisconsin, Froedtert Hospital, Children's Medical Group, Medical College Physicians and Community Physicians through continuous process improvement, which includes a lot of data collections and analysis. I also train and manage about a dozen coordinators to ensure compliance to various accrediting bodies and helped develop my department's strategic plan.
Thank you for clarifying.
I have heard Liz talk about learning loss during Covid. Several candidates/board members who were in favor of keeping students out of school are now blaming the academic decline and behavior issues on Covid and kids getting used to being back in school. How long will that excuse be used? Current and former board members fail to take responsibility for where we are today. That’s why people have gotten so involved and vocal yet no one seems to care. Hearing parents AND acting sure would go a long way. Fighting so hard to keep a majority on this board is so very telling. A few 4-3 votes would be a nice change of pace. This all feels like more of the same to me.
Hi Danielle! I’ve discussed academics A LOT while running and COVID learning loss is only one factor while looking at where our district is academically. My background in education will be a valuable asset as the district and board work to implement new things to help all of our learners grow. Happy to discuss more, please feel free to email me- lizfortosaschools@gmail.com
Hi Liz, I appreciate the offer but don’t want to waste your time or mine. Chris Zirbes has my vote.
You should ask each of these candidates what they mean when they use the term "equity". It means different things to different people.
Yes, you're absolutely right. It's a somewhat ambiguous term.
Totally agree, Jeff. I also think we should get definitions for “diversity” and “inclusion” -- the three get lumped together, but I am not sure what people mean when they advocate for it (I have an idea, and I don’t care for it).
I would love for you to expand on this comment Jordan. What are your definitions of diversity and inclusion? And why don't you care for them?
They are both used, best I can tell, to mean “more non-white people regardless of local demographics or the availability of qualified non-white people for the roles.”
Equity - the quality of being fair and impartial
"Equity of treatment"
Diversity -the practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders and sexual orientations
"Equity and diversity should be supported for their own sake"
Inclusion -the practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those who have physical or intellectual disabilities and members of other minority groups.
" We value and promote diversity and inclusion in every aspect of our business"
These are the definitions of these words. And I believe this is what this candidate means when she uses these terms, however....I do not speak for her. I will speak for myself and on behalf of my child though. My child who is disabled and is a part of a marginalized group. The practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion are some of the best things to happen in our schools. My child is fully included in her Wauwatosa school. Which not only benefits her, but all of her typical classmates as well.
I'm not sure how old you are, or how long ago you attended school. It's been some time for me. But I can tell you that things were much different back then. "Different" kids were not in class with us. It created a separation...a feeling of their inferiority. If you are the parent of one of these kids who happens to be different... starting school is one of your biggest fears. Will my child be included? Will my child have friends? Will they be bullied....be laughed at or made fun of....or worse? I am so relieved to tell you that because of the inclusive atmosphere we've created here in Wauwatosa....none of this has happened. ALL marginalized groups deserve the same. My child makes your child a better person... and vice versa. Including people who are different than you does not equal less for you.
Now, what part of any of this do you dislike?
This is too long to read. I skimmed it and don’t find appeals to emotion particularly persuasive. DEI is used as an ambiguous bludgeon for all sorts of negative things, and it almost universally refers to racial diversity when used, not physical disabilities. But you know this. You also know the issue comes in how the “definitions” are implemented.
Have a good day.
I'm sorry that it's difficult to read multiple paragraphs. I'm also sorry that you cannot understand where I'm coming from. I do hope that our children are able to interact and learn from one another though. I hope you have the best day ever.
Yeah. It’s probably a sort of Al-Pacino-in-The-Godfather dynamic. “Just when I think I’m out, it pulls me back in!”
Speaking from experience, I can’t recommend enough to either eliminate or significantly reduce your exposure to social media.
Hi Tanya, I am on social media to post on my campaign page :) I avoid all other social media, but glad you noticed me. Still happy to answer any questions you may have about why I am running. Have a great weekend!