text: LETTERS: Quality, Well-Rounded Education For Lindop – village free press
  Letters	 March 20, 2019
  Wednesday, March 20, 2019 || LETTERS || OPINION || @maywoodnews
  My name is Brian Dawson and I am a candidate seeking to become a member of the school board for Lindop District 92 in Broadview.
  I grew up in Broadview and have been a resident for 34 years. I am married and currently have a child attending Lindop. I received my bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana and have worked in the television industry for 20 years.
  A great school board is one that provides a vision for the school; one that matches the needs of the school with the wants of the community. My main goals as a member will be to empower our parents, support our staff and encourage our children. A great school can be a pillar in the community and I believe Lindop has the capacity to be such a school — a Blue Ribbon School. But it's not enough to believe, we have to put in the work.
  Last year I was one of several founding members of Lindop's reactivated Parent Teacher Student Organization. This year I have taken a leadership role as president. We have to empower parents and help them understand the crucial role they play in their child's learning experience. As a Lindop school board member, I will advocate for services that aid parents in nurturing the "whole child," not just academics, but the social and emotional components, as well.
  I know from personal experience that Lindop has phenomenal teachers and administrators. We need to support them to ensure we don't lose their talents. As a Lindop school board member I will encourage creativity and innovation in the classroom. Also, we have to provide teachers and staff with incentives to further their education with degrees or certifications. Truly, being a small village, we can't always give our great teachers everything they deserve, but our goal should be to let them know how much they are appreciated.
  Each year, I take a day off work to spend in my daughter's classroom. This way I can be a helping hand to the teacher, assess how my child is doing and be an encouraging presence for the kids. It's crucial to me that Lindop students and staff see parents, in particular black fathers, touting the importance of learning and cheering them on as they pursue their goals. That's how we create not just good learners but lifelong learners.
  As a Lindop school board member, I will promote equity in learning, where each child will get the tools they need to succeed. I will continue to support and ensure that Lindop's curriculum aligns with the surrounding high schools so our students will be well-prepared for the next step in their journey. I intend to do fundraising, as well as grant-writing to ensure our children have access to more after school and summer school enrichment programs. We will continue to build on Lindop's culture of excellence, so that every child knows they are not only encouraged, but expected to succeed.
  A quality, well-rounded, education is what I want for my children. This is also what I want for all of our children, and this is what I'll work towards if you'll elect me to the Lindop School Board. I understand that it is a privilege to serve on the Lindop School Board and intend to do my very best for you. I am proud to be endorsed by our Mayor Katrina Thompson. On April 2nd, please vote for me, Brian Dawson #92 for Lindop school board.