Dear friends and neighbors,
I moved from Massachusetts to Montgomery County in 1989 for a new career and a new home in a place I had been to only once before.
Fast forward to now - recently retired after teaching 32 years in MCPS, having raised my two children here in the county (lifelong students in MCPS) and I have a new purpose: I would like to put my experience to work for the students, educators and families here in Montgomery County by serving as a member of the Board of Education.
The lenses I look through as I approach this work would be as follows:
First, I am a teacher. As a teacher, I am well prepared to make decisions regarding teaching, learning and assessment, and I understand what the system must do to meet the instructional, emotional, and physical needs of our students.
As a parent, I know that MCPS must do better to clearly communicate its plans with the community, and that students, parents, and staff must be more deeply involved in decision making.
And as a homeowner, I know and understand the need for fiscal responsibility and accountability within MCPS to ensure that taxpayers get the value needed for the investment given to our district’s school budget.
Helping students build their skills and knowledge in order to thrive has been my purpose, my mission, my goal for the past 32 years. While my career in the classroom is over, I humbly ask for your consideration and your support so that I can serve our community in a new role on the Board of Education.
Sincerely,
Valerie Coll
District 5 Candidate
Montgomery County Board of Education
By Authority: Friends of Valerie Coll, Lauren Lavelle, Treasurer