Terah Chambers

Candidate Name: Terah Chambers

Age: 44

Candidate for East Lansing School Board:

Candidate Website: https://www.facebook.com/TerahChambersforBOE

Candidate Contact for Public: Just me - I don’t have a campaign manager

Are you registered with any party? If so, please share your party affiliation: School board is a non-partisan position and I have never made decisions solely based on party affiliation.

Please share all your social media accounts: Twitter: @drterah, in addition to the campaign Facebook page, my personal Facebook is https://www.facebook.com/terah.chambers/

Please include a high quality photo of the candidate.

1. What motivated you to run for the position you are seeking election to?

1. I believe in public education. I’ve been involved in East Lansing schools since I moved to Michigan in 2013, but I became more involved during the elementary bond campaign. That became a pathway for me to become even more involved, so when a vacancy on the Board opened in 2016, I put my name in the ring for consideration - and was selected! I was then elected to a four year term the following year. Since that time, I’ve worked hard to support our wonderful students, teachers and other staff continue to do their best. In my “day job” I am a professor of educational leadership at MSU where I work with aspiring and practicing school leaders so I’d like to think I know a little about what good leadership looks like. Our team in East Lansing is incredible and it would be my honor to continue supporting them if re-elected to the East Lansing School Board. As a Black mom of a Black son, I also feel compelled to ensure that our elected body better represents our community demographics. Representation matters.

2. What is your vision for the public body you want to serve on? 

1. The school board is a deeply collaborative group. When a school board functions well, there is a “checks and balances” positioning with the superintendent and her team. In the case of the East Lansing School Board, I deeply believe in the superintendent’s vision to create a school community where we support the learning, mental health, and other needs of all students (and the teachers and staff who support that mission). Thus, I am in an enviable role of supporting our amazing team to continue to do wonderful things for our students. That doesn’t mean that there haven’t been times where I have disagreed with the superintendent; it happens, and I have hoped that our strong positive relationship historically provides the foundation to get back on track for what is best for our community. I’m a team player in a role where being a team player is an incredible asset. It would be an honor to continue serving the East Lansing community if elected for a second term.

3. How does your vision differ from that of your opponents?

1. I’ll leave it to my fellow candidates to speak for themselves. There are a lot of excellent candidates running in this race.

4. Funding for schools has been a consistent concern for nearly three decades. Proposal 1, passed in the 90s was supposed to level the playing field in funding assuring that districts with distressed property values would receive comparable per pupil funding. That has not been the case. If elected, how will you address the under funding of schools?

1. Proposal A was a great idea that failed to live up to its vision. As an MSU professor in the College of Education, I’m keenly aware of the funding disparities in this state and the implications for the quality of education that result. East Lansing is a beneficiary in this rigged system and it’s hard to reconcile that when I know that many districts in our surrounding area would be doing some of the innovative things we’re able to do if they were in a similar financial situation. Unfortunately, there’s not much I can do about that as a school board member in terms of effecting policy change. That said, I can and have used my platform to point out these disparities and will call on our state and federal elected leaders to commit to significant school funding revision.

5. Has school choice, which allows students and parents to apply for and attend a different school district than the one they live in, been a success? Why or why not?

1. This is such a difficult question because in theory I believe in families being able to choose what is best for their children. During the pandemic we faced this issue ourselves when we considered enrolling our son in a private school that offered in-person instruction. In the end we didn’t, but we absolutely would have were that to have been the best choice for him. However, it is unfair to layer a system of “choice” on a foundation that is inherently unequal and inequitable. In our current system, school choice disadvantages districts that have already been dealt an unfair hand. I wouldn’t take away our school choice program necessarily, but I do believe a radical re-imagining of the program is warranted. Only in a system where school districts are playing with a fair deck can families have true “choice” about what is best for them.

6. Proposals in Michigan have long sought to use public dollars to pay for private school tuition and costs. Do you support vouchers for private schools? Why or why not?

1. No. I do not believe that public funds should be used for private education.

7. If vouchers are approved, public schools may see a decline in enrollment. How would you close the funding gap by a reduction in per pupil funding?

1. I’m not sure I fully understand this question. I agree that vouchers would lead to a reduction in enrollment in most districts. And, as previously stated, this reduction would particularly negatively  impact districts in less-financially stable communities. These communities, however, care just as much or arguably more about education because they are often paying more in taxes by percentage relative to residents in wealthier districts. Penalizing these communities again does not make sense to me, especially if we consider education a public good. Any investment in these kinds of innovative programs must prioritize keeping stable the funding provided to public districts, particularly those in lower-income areas.

• Educators have been under scrutiny over LGBT youth support, LGBT history, the American history of communities of color and more. In addition, school libraries are pulling books off of shelves in public school libraries and public libraries. 

1. Please share your perspective as you pertains to providing safe schools and education for LGBT youth. 

1. It is our responsibility to provide a safe and nurturing learning environment for all students, which obviously includes LGBTQ+ students. In East Lansing, we have worked hard to ensure our curriculum (including our sex education curriculum) is appropriate for all students. We have more work to do, but I am committed to ensuring all students - but particularly those from minoritized communities - receive an education that is appropriate and accurate.

2. Please share your perspective about integrating the history of communities of color into curriculums in the public schools.

1. I appreciate you asking this question more than you know. I’m actually currently teaching a course on the history of urban education and the students in the class are mainly former teachers. In class recently, a student (who is a former teacher) noted that she wished that she had been exposed to the content of the course sooner in her career. She felt it would have helped her be a better teacher even though she considered herself committed to equity and social justice. As she said, “I often knew the right thing to do or say, but now I know why.” I think her comment is reflective of the importance of understanding history. More than teaching dates and facts, students are entitled to also learn how things that happened in the past influence what is happening today. I can relate to this personally - I did not have an opportunity to learn about the incredible contributions of Black people to our system of public education until I was in graduate school. Had I learned about that sooner in my educational journey it would have had an incredible impact on my development.

3. Do you support the removal of books some find objectionable from public school shelves and public libraries? Why or why not?

1. It would be hard for me to imagine completely removing a book that some people find objectionable. I believe in our teachers and their ability to teach students appropriately, even when the subject matter is complicated. I cannot imagine a situation where our educators felt strongly about a particular lesson or curriculum and I would vote against that due to community push back. We have invested heavily in diversity, equity, and inclusion training. Our teachers are experts in their field. Although I have a Ph.D. in education policy, I do not have the expertise they do in the classroom. I trust their expertise. When individual teachers make a decision that is in contrast to our mission and values, I fully believe in our team to remedy the situation to get things back on track. In fact, I have seen this happen in a number of situations in the last five years. 

4. If you support such removals, at what point does the purge of objectionable books stop? When it is the Quran? When it is the Torah? The Nag Hamadi? The Bible? What policies will you put in place to monitor and assess removal of books?

1. Exactly. There is a slippery slope. With all of these examples, the question is not about the subject itself, but how it is taught and in what context. In ELPS, we have a robust curriculum adoption process that heavily involves teachers, administrators and community members. By taking our job seriously on the front end in selecting curriculum and being thoughtful about how material is taught, I believe our students will enjoy the best learning environment possible.

5. If you do not support the removal of objectionable books, what policies will you support to stop the removal of books from public school libraries?

1. Were a community member to object to a book in our library, I believe our team would take that concern seriously and consider the issues raised. I also believe in our team to make an appropriate decision about the material that is in our school libraries. It is not my place as a school board member to make these kinds of decisions, but I will fight hard to support our expert educators in terms of what they know to be the right thing to do. In ordinary circumstances I could not go against our team of experts.

9. There has been a split on how COVID was responded to by schools, and other government bodies. Please answer the following questions:

• Did you support the shut down of schools during the COVID-19 crisis? Why or why not?

1. Absolutely. When we received guidance from Governor Whitmer to shut down schools, it was the right thing to do for the safety of our students, our teachers, and the broader community. I have not for a second regretted that action.

1. There has been a marked loss of educational gain as a result of the shut down. How will you address this problem?

1. I stand with the many educational experts who push back against the logic of “learning loss” during a pandemic. Our students did not gain as much ground as they would have otherwise. Given the global health crisis we faced, that is understandable. I’m much more concerned about meeting the ongoing mental health needs of our students during this period. Learning is important, and we’ve certainly started to examine what our students need from a learning perspective at this point. However, getting students back in schools has been as much about creating a sense of normalcy and addressing students’ various needs as it has been about our educational offerings. I obviously believe that education is important but I also think we need to be realistic about the unprecedented challenges we’re facing right now.

3. Did you support face masks? Why or why not?

1. I did. East Lansing continued with a mask mandate much longer than most schools in the area. This was in part because of our unique positioning in the backyard of a global university with a lot of associated transition, but also because it was something that our teachers supported. Hindsight may be 20-20, but in this case I feel at ease about the decisions we made throughout the pandemic.

4. Do you support the COVID-19 vaccine? Why or why not?

1. Absolutely, yes. I am not a medical professional and so I must rely on the recommendations of medical experts who overwhelmingly support the use of the COVID-19 vaccine for all who are eligible.

5. Do you support vaccination for all students in public schools? Why or why not?

1. Yes. I believe that all students who are eligible for a vaccine should consider getting one in consultation with their families and guardians. However, there are some students who are not able to get the vaccine. There are also some families who are against vaccinations. Whenever possible, my preference is to support family choice in these kinds of situations. However, our rate of vaccination in East Lansing has been very high among students, teachers and other school staff.

6. There has been a growing mental health crisis among our youth. It was present before the pandemic, but experts warn it has gotten worse since the pandemic. If elected, how will you address the mental health needs of our students?

1. I have voted at every opportunity to support student and staff (let’s not leave them out!) mental and emotional health/well-being. It has already been identified as a priority in our district, which is fantastic. Of course, I realize that there is more we can do. I am keenly aware of the burnout teachers and other school staff feel generally and I’m under no illusions that those issues are happening in East Lansing. I’ll be honest that with limited financial resources, it’s hard to know how best to address these issues. Supporting the strong teacher contract last year and investing in additional positions was an important structural investment - providing “thank you” lunches and recognizing Teacher Appreciation Week are examples of small things we can do. We certainly do them in East Lansing, too. However, if we do those things but do not make systemic financial investments like we saw with the last teacher contracts then those gestures are simply disrespectful. We have made many critical investments: establishing a mental health advisory committee that offers critical insights into our programs and policies; hiring more counselors, a school nurse, a district wellness coordinator and other key positions in the district; and fostered support and training to teachers to support students. Research findings support the importance of mental health (and related ideas of belonging, connectedness, and strong relationships) as being positively correlated with all kinds of academic outcomes. I’m so pleased to serve in a district that recognizes the importance of these investments.

10. There have been a number of school shootings, with deeply tragic consequences for students, teachers and administrators alike – as well as communities. If elected, what will you do to address the school violence crisis, including school shootings?

1. In these kinds of situations I identify first as a parent. Obviously, in this current climate where school shootings occur with increased frequency, ensuring students are safe is a top concern for me. At the same time, as a Black mom of a Black son, I am keenly aware that there are some who see my son as a threat without a second thought and I worry daily also about his vulnerability. During my tenure on the Board we have prioritized school safety, implementing a number of structural and procedural safety measures at the elementary and secondary levels. What keeps me up at night, though, is the idea that there is any level of safety investment that will “guarantee” our schools to be 100% safe so long as we have inadequate gun control. Accordingly, while we are doing our job in support of school safety at the local level, I will continue to call upon our local, state and federal elected leaders to implement real and significant gun control immediately. 

11. Elections have become a serious concern for some voters. Please answer the following questions:

1. If you lose your election, will you accept the results? Why or why not? 

1. Absolutely, yes. School board members represent the broader community in the school district. I’m running because I think I can make a positive impact, but ultimately it is up to the community to decide if I am the right person to represent them.

2. If your election is close and you chose to pay for a recount, will you accept the result of a recount? Why or why not?

1. Absolutely, yes. It’s frankly embarrassing to think we have to ask this question of candidates. However, given the current political climate I understand the importance of asking people to put their responses to this question on the record.

3. Much has been made about the 2020 election. Do you believe Donald Trump won the election? Why or why not?

1. He did not win the election. He contested the result, which was his right, and lost. It is time to move on.

4. Do you believe there was widespread election fraud? Why or why not?

1. No. I have seen no evidence of widespread election fraud.

5. Do you believe leaders in Washington are involved in a secret pedophilia ring? Why or why not?

1. No. I have seen no evidence of a secret pedophilia ring.

6. Do you believe the Jan. 6 Capitol incident was appropriate in light of the election? Why or why not? 

1. Absolutely not.

• Are you a member, or have you ever been a member or donated to any of the following organizations:

1. Socialist party No

2. Rock the Vote I don’t believe so, but I would support them.

3. The Democratic Party Yes

4. Any Democratic Candidate for Office Yes

5. The Republican Party No

6. Any Republican Candidate for Office No

7. The American Taxpayers Party No

8. Any American Taxpayer Party Candidate for Office No

9. The Heritage Foundation No

10. People for the American Way No

11. III Percenters No

12. Proud Boys No

13. Please share with readers and voters your qualifications for the position you seek. 

1. I have served on the East Lansing School Board for the last five years and have held positions on the Board as President, Vice President, and Secretary. I am a professor in the MSU College of Education and have been a strong advocate for social justice and equity for over 20 years. I have served as president of my national organization, the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) and have a distinguished research record on issues of educational equity. Most importantly, though, I am a Black mother of a Black son who is a middle schooler in the district and I believe that elected officials should reflect the communities in which they live.