Brian Neil School Board Candidate Statement (District 2)

I believe my greatest contribution to the WAPS School Board comes from the perspective of a working educator. I know what education looks like from the inside. On a daily basis, the working teacher faces stress and frustration when carefully-made plans are disrupted as well as joy and satisfaction when students realize success in spite of challenges. Every day is new and different. A successful teacher learns early to be patient but tenacious. New programs come and go. Some are valuable, and some are not. The veteran becomes adroit at recognizing nuances that have merit and applies them to the advantage of students while quickly discarding others. If I have acquired such skills in my classroom experience, I should be able to apply them effectively to situations outside the classroom. I should be able to make do with less and make it look like more. I should be able to communicate effectively including reserving unproductive criticism while motivating with praise. I should be able to reserve judgement until all pertinent information is available. I should pursue compromise that benefits a substantial majority of parties involved. In spite of obstacles to progress, I must make progress. From my perspective, these traits of a veteran educator are applicable and valuable to a School Board member. They are what I offer to the voters of ISD 861.