Hello, my name is Jennifer Pandich. I am running for school board in the city of Mount Vernon, and I appreciate the opportunity to tell you a little about myself.
My husband is Perry Gruver. He currently works in Marion at Woodcrafters, Inc.; he is also the zoning administrator for Mount Vernon. My daughter Claire, 11, is a sixth grader at Mount Vernon Middle School. My son Max, 7, is a first grader at Washington Elementary. We have lived in Mount Vernon since May, 1997. I have lived in five states and have relatives in three others; I chose to live in Iowa and raise my children here, in part due to the educational system here.
My education has been varied: I have a BA in English from Lock Haven University, Pennsylvania, an MA in linguistics from the California State University at Fresno, an MA and a PhD ABD in speech pathology from the University of Iowa.
I have spent a good deal of time in the elementary school over the past six years. I read to my daughter’s class weekly from kindergarten to fifth grade. I have read to my son’s AK and kindergarten classes weekly and will be reading to his first grade class. I will be having an after school book club at the middle school for any sixth grader. I also hope to find a time when I can read to the sixth graders during the school day.
I know many of the students and teachers; I feel that I have a good idea of the issues facing that building in particular.
Please feel free to call me on my cell phone at (319) 210-0433 to discuss any of the issues.
Educational tenets I believe in:
All children should be challenged and given an education that maximizes their potential.
All children have a right to be educated in an environment that is safe, nurturing, and flexible to fit their needs.
There are no “magic bullets” in educating children; each child needs to be evaluated and taught in a way that will best fit his needs and learning style.
Good teachers are hard to find; we should do everything we can to hold onto the ones we have.
I believe you should vote for me because:
I am knowledgeable in child development and understand what practices will serve most children.
I am dedicated to ensuring that children receive the very best education that we can give them.
I can hold my ground when needed, but I am willing to change my mind when I am wrong. I am very difficult to offend and rarely take things personally.
I am a good listener.
I am familiar with the “culture of education” and understand much of the jargon.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about the candidates in this election.
Please remember to vote on September 11.