Public schools are a vital institution and they deserve excellent governance. I want to serve on the board of the State College Area School District because I love this community and I want to see every kid that goes to SCASD schools do so with a sense of belonging. When they speak, I want each student to talk about "my school" and "my teacher" and "our classroom".

Before I stepped into my first teaching role, a wise veteran teacher taught me that kids won't care to learn until they know we care. We care. So let's do the work to ensure our schools--students, teachers, admins, staff and parents--are supported, so they can focus on helping our kids thrive.

A pencil is powerful. It translates ideas that are in a person’s head onto a page. It can help a student investigate topics, define problems, create solutions, and sketch far-out places. It can help a user blend ideas and facts into Knowledge--with a capital K. A pencil is a powerful tool—just one of the most basic tools our students need to learn and grow.

School boards use pencils in many of the same ways. They draft budgets and write policy. They also advocate for the students, teachers, staff, and parents in our district. Clearly, school board members use many tools—beyond a pencil—to govern effectively. I ask you to elect me to the State College Area School District board because I have the tools of an educator-- I served on the front lines of teaching in public schools. I know what it means to give a pencil to a child who doesn’t have one. I know how to create a room where mistakes are ok and everyone feels safe enough to try—even when some students haven’t had enough sleep, or missed breakfast, or have any number of other things going on in their lives. I know how classrooms work. I know how learning happens. I want to bring the experience of a teacher into the board room.

Take one of my pencils and mark your ballot for me, Jackie Huff.
I promise I will use all the tools at my disposal--including my voice, my experience, and my desire to listen and understand all corners of our community in helping guide the State College Area School District to continued excellence.

Would you like a Jackie Huff for SCASD board pencil? Email me at jqm.huff@gmail.com