Eden Prairie School Board Election 2020: Candidate Questionnaire – Beth Fletcher

What experience and qualifications do you bring to your candidacy for Eden Prairie School Board? 

I am a proud mom of 3rd, 6th, and 8th grade daughters. After earning my Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the College of St. Ben’s, I taught middle school for nine years.

An Eden Prairie resident since 2003, I have supported education as the past PTO president at Prairie View Elementary and past PTO President’s Council President. As a parent, as an educator, I genuinely want what is best for Eden Prairie students, schools, and the greater community.

What personal values and qualities do you believe are especially important for a school board candidate? 

I believe a school board candidate must be passionate about education, want what is best for each and every student, be a great listener, and a thoughtful decision maker. A candidate should be appreciative of our district’s successes and be committed to work selflessly to improve district struggles.

All of these, as well as having a growth mindset, being professional, asking quality questions, and being continuously willing to learn and grow. These are qualities I will bring to the Eden Prairie School Board.

Why should Eden Prairie voters choose you for the School Board rather than other candidates who are running for the Eden Prairie School Board? 

I am passionate about education and Eden Prairie Schools. As a Mom and former teacher, I can use my background to make thoughtful decisions. I will listen and continuously learn.

Being able to mold, direct, and outline the educational opportunities in our district is an important job and an honor. My goals as a school board member are to maintain excellency in our schools, retain and attract students and world class teachers, and be a transparent leader. I will ensure that every decision provides the best educational opportunities for our students.

What do you believe are the key factors in the Eden Prairie Schools’ management of COVID-19, and why? 

The key factors to management of COVID-19 are following health and safety guidelines while providing safe and supportive learning environments. By giving families the option to learn online, Eden Prairie is showing the importance of each family’s comfort level during this difficult time.

By continuing high quality instruction, increasing student engagement, and ensuring academic and emotional support for all students, we can ensure minimal disruption to student learning. These are not easy tasks, especially while maintaining Covid-19 health guidelines, but with proper support, flexibility, a growth mindset, and continuous monitoring and adjusting, I am confident that EP students will continue to grow and succeed during these difficult times.

What are your top three priorities for Eden Prairie Schools, and why? 

Excellency- Continue and Improve Eden Prairie’s high quality, engaging, rigorous, and personalized teaching and learning. Ensure that ALL students are prepared for their future and are proud to have graduated from EP schools.

Top Choice Schools – Keep Eden Prairie Schools the top choice schools for Eden Prairie families. Retain and attract our students and world class teachers.

Community Support- Increase community support with collaboration and quality communication, which includes sharing district successes and struggles, listening to our families, teachers, and administration, and having transparency in decision making.

Is your candidacy informed by a political perspective? How does that perspective inform your priorities? (Alternatively: If your candidacy is not informed by a political perspective, why not?) 

My candidacy is not informed by a political perspective. I feel strongly that politics should not be brought to the school board.

The school board serves every student, family, and teacher no matter their political affiliation and I will work hard to make decisions that are in the best interest of our entire community.

What will it mean to you, personally, if you are elected to the Eden Prairie School Board? 

Being elected to the Eden Prairie School board would be an honor. I would be proud to have my daughters see their mom as a leader.

It is important to show them that with honesty, hard work, integrity, and perseverance you can reach your goals. Turning my passion for children and education into a role that gives back, would be priceless.