Gibson, Shane - Oxford
Are you an incumbent?
No
Brief Intro of Candidate
I am a registered nurse that has served Oakland County for almost ten years. I have two children in the district and felt compelled to be a change agent. I hold a doctoral degree in Education and Healthcare Leadership and currently work with addiction recovery for people in carceral settings. I am a regional director of operations and provide expertise to jails and prisons all over the country.
Endorsements
No endorsements as of now.
Top financials Contributors
Website and social media links
Local Residents
Shane Gibson for Oxford School Board of Education Facebook Page
How would you engage and include parents, caregivers, community members and students in decision-making in your district around things like curriculum, budgeting and district policy?
Collaboration is the key to success; This is the case in both healthcare and education. Parents know their children better than anyone else, so their input is invaluable. Bringing parents together with the board of education and others in key leadership positions would be a strategic plan of mine. While parents understand their children, they may not understand budgets, policies, or curriculum. It would be my mission to help them understand the important factors that affect how we can provide the safest environment while giving their children the best education possible.
What are your thoughts on school discipline and the way it is exercised in your school district? What are your thoughts on restorative practices?
The current environment of discipline in our district is a bit perplexing to me as a parent of students. There are certain instances where a zero-tolerance policy has to be in place. In the case of violence or harm to other students, we cannot overstate the importance of recognition, intervention, and accountability. The use of restorative practices is absolutely applicable when imminent harm is not likely. Students are impressionable and we must teach them that there are rules that must be followed. Breaking rules is an expected behavior of kids from time to time. As adults and leaders in the district, we can do more than just punish. We must show our students that there is a way to disagree, be accountable for our actions or reactions, and still have the opportunity to flourish.
What are your thoughts on how to improve student mental health
We need more mental health professionals in the schools. They are subject matter experts who know what to look for and how to recognize students that may need help. The lack of these resources has been evident in schools all across the country. Normalizing talking to someone about their mental health will help as well. Students must know that it is okay not to be okay. They are allowed to have their feelings; we have to give them the resources to express themselves in a positive way. Ensuring each student has access to mental health professionals should be a top priority of every district.
What are your thoughts on ways to improve Black student achievement in your district and in Michigan schools overall?
Equity in education has long been a problem and overlooked for far too long. I watched as my wife taught in Detroit Public Schools for years and saw the struggles the students and staff endured. We must prioritize every student and ensure implicate biases are recognized and overcome. As a state, we can and must invest in our communities where Black students have the same opportunities as any other student. A serious look at resource allocation would go a long way in recognizing how money and other assets can be used to ensure all students have the same opportunities.
What are your thoughts on how to ensure that all students and their families, regardless of race, gender identity, sexuality, disability, religion, income status, etc., feel safe and included in your district?
Inclusion is one of my most important passionate endeavors. No one should be left out or excluded due to race, gender, sexuality, or disability. One of my jobs as a nurse is to ensure the same medical care is available to everyone. There are some religions that prefer a female nurse to examine a female family member. That is completely understandable and not a huge ask. Accommodations must be made to secure inclusion and safety to all students and their family. To accomplish this, each student and staff member should be exposed to sensitivity training. Some people have implicit biases that they don't even recognize. Some self-awareness and interpersonal discovery would go a long way.
What are your thoughts on how to recruit and retain staff, particularly staff of color, in your district with regard to pay, benefits, and working conditions?
Retention was my doctoral project and is an area that I have done a lot of research on. One of the best ways to retain staff is to provide an environment where everyone feels included and valued. Administration at the schools must provide peer evaluation opportunities so professional growth can occur. When the staff feels valued and heard, retention improves. Certain districts have higher budgets than others and being able to pay more helps in the recruitment of teachers. We would have to look closely at our budget in Oxford to understand where we stand in the current market. Recruiting staff of color would happen by building relationships with colleges in the area and emphasizing opportunities for minorities in our district.