Han’s Priorities

“The promise I make to Northshore is one of unwavering support for our educators, steadfast commitment to every student’s wellness, and relentless pursuit of excellence in our classrooms. Together, we can cultivate an environment where every child flourishes.”
— Han Tran

School Equity and Safety

Ensuring school equity and safety are the foundational pillars for providing students and staff with an enriching and beautiful learning environment. When fear is replaced with an atmosphere of growth, learning, and teaching, everyone can thrive. By prioritizing training and support for educators, we can construct a more beautiful educational landscape where ALL students flourish and reach their fullest potential.

  • Trauma-Informed Response: A trauma-informed response refers to an approach that recognizes and addresses the impact of trauma on individuals. It involves creating a safe and supportive environment that promotes healing, understanding, and empathy for those who have experienced trauma. A trauma-informed response takes into account the potential triggers and sensitivities that trauma survivors may have and aims to provide appropriate support and resources to help them navigate their experiences. It emphasizes collaboration, empowerment, and respect for the individual's autonomy and unique needs. It is important to approach school safety with a trauma-informed response. This means considering the impact of traumatic events on students and ensuring that support services are readily available to address their emotional well-being. By prioritizing trauma-informed practices, the district can create a safe and supportive environment that promotes equitable access to education.

    Proactive Measures: Implement preventative measures that focus on early intervention and creating a positive school climate. This includes fostering a culture of inclusivity, implementing evidence-based bullying prevention programs, and promoting social-emotional learning. By addressing issues proactively, we can prevent incidents before they occur and create a safer school environment for all students.

    Enhanced Communication: Improve communication during crises or safety incidents. It is crucial to promptly notify parents and the broader community about any threats or incidents, ensuring transparency and avoiding misinformation. Over-communicating and providing timely updates can help alleviate concerns and build trust between the district and the community.

    Collaborative Approach: Foster collaboration between the district, parents, students, and community members to develop and implement school safety policies. By involving all stakeholders in decision-making processes, the district can benefit from diverse perspectives and ensure that safety measures are equitable and culturally responsive.

    Ongoing Evaluation and Improvement: Continuously assess the effectiveness of school safety policies and practices through regular evaluations. This includes gathering feedback from students, parents, and staff, as well as analyzing data on safety incidents. Based on the findings, make necessary adjustments and improvements to address any gaps or challenges in implementation.

Outcome and Opportunity Bridges

Rather than referring to "opportunity gaps," we can use the term "opportunity bridges" to highlight our commitment to building supportive pathways for all students. These "opportunity bridges" represent our dedication to providing resources, support, and targeted interventions to ensure that every child can access the tools they need to succeed academically and beyond. By focusing on building bridges of opportunity, we are actively working to level the playing field and ensure that every student can flourish in their educational journey.

  • Highly Capable Program: As a mother of a child in HiCap, I am keenly aware of the importance of the HiCap program. It is essential to recognize that many HiCap students can thrive in mixed classrooms, provided that teachers receive the necessary support and training. While some students may still require special accommodations, experts have stated that up to 70% of high-capacity students can have their needs met in inclusive settings. By providing holistic support and fostering a sense of belonging within mixed classrooms, students of all abilities can reach their full potential and become well-rounded individuals who positively contribute to the broader community. This balanced approach creates a supportive and inclusive learning atmosphere, benefiting both high-capacity students and those in special education. Ultimately, this integration empowers all students and strengthens the bonds within our school community, preparing them for a future where diverse interactions and understanding are crucial.

    Equitable Resource Allocation: Ensure that resources, including funding, staffing, and instructional materials, are distributed equitably among schools and classrooms. This requires a careful analysis of resource distribution to identify and address disparities. By providing additional resources to schools with higher concentrations of marginalized students, we can help level the playing field and reduce opportunity gaps.

    Culturally Responsive Teaching: Promote the implementation of culturally responsive teaching practices in all classrooms. This approach recognizes and values the diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences of students. It involves incorporating culturally relevant content, using instructional strategies that engage students' cultural identities, and fostering inclusive and affirming learning environments.

    Targeted Academic Support: Implement targeted academic support programs to address the specific needs of marginalized students. This can include additional tutoring, mentoring programs, extended learning opportunities, and specialized interventions tailored to individual student needs. By providing personalized support, we can help close the achievement gap and ensure all students have access to high-quality education.

    Professional Development: Offer ongoing professional development for educators focused on equity, cultural competence, and inclusive teaching practices. This training can help educators understand and address their own biases, develop strategies for creating inclusive classrooms, and implement effective instructional practices that meet the diverse needs of students.

    Family and Community Engagement: Foster strong partnerships with families and communities to support student success. Encourage parent involvement, provide resources and workshops for families, and create opportunities for meaningful collaboration between schools, families, and community organizations. Engaging families and communities can help create a supportive network that promotes educational equity and student achievement.

    Data Monitoring and Accountability: Regularly collect and analyze data on student outcomes, opportunity gaps, and the effectiveness of equity initiatives. This data should be used to inform decision-making, monitor progress, and hold the district accountable for addressing inequities. By tracking data and measuring outcomes, we can identify areas that require additional attention and adjust strategies accordingly.

    Cultivating a Positive School Climate: Foster a positive and inclusive school climate that values diversity, promotes belonging, and addresses issues of bias and discrimination. This includes implementing restorative justice practices, creating safe spaces for open dialogue, and ensuring that school policies and practices are fair and equitable.

Academics and Curriculum

As a voter, you can count on me to prioritize targeted support and intervention programs for students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring they receive the help they need to thrive academically. Investing in high-quality professional development for teachers and utilizing data to inform decision making will be at the core of our strategy. By fostering collaboration with community organizations, parents, and stakeholders, we can leverage additional resources to create engaging and inclusive learning environments. Together, let's build a brighter future for our students, where every learner has the tools and support to succeed.

  • Targeted Support and Intervention: Allocate resources to provide targeted support and intervention programs for students who have experienced learning loss or academic challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. This may include additional tutoring, summer learning programs, after-school support, and personalized learning plans to address individual student needs.

    Professional Development for Teachers: Invest in high-quality professional development opportunities for teachers to enhance their instructional strategies and adapt to the changing educational landscape. This can include training on effective remote teaching methods, utilizing technology for remote and hybrid learning, and implementing research-based instructional practices to improve student outcomes.

    Data-Informed Decision Making: Utilize data to identify areas of academic need and inform decision-making processes. Regularly assess student performance, gather data on student progress, and use this information to guide resource allocation and instructional strategies. By focusing on data-informed decision making, the district can prioritize interventions and resources where they are most needed.

    Collaboration and Partnerships: Foster collaboration and partnerships with community organizations, parents, and stakeholders to leverage additional resources and expertise. This can involve partnering with local nonprofits, businesses, and universities to provide academic support programs, mentorship opportunities, and access to resources that enhance student learning.

    Strategic Budget Planning: During times of budget shortfalls, it is important to prioritize funding for initiatives and programs that directly impact academic outcomes. This may involve reallocating resources, finding cost-effective solutions, and exploring grant opportunities to support targeted interventions and initiatives aimed at raising academic achievement.

    Engaging and Inclusive Learning Environments: Create engaging and inclusive learning environments that foster student motivation, participation, and academic growth. This can involve incorporating project-based learning, differentiated instruction, and culturally responsive teaching practices. It is crucial to ensure that all students, regardless of their background, feel valued, supported, and motivated to succeed academically.

    Parent and Community Engagement: Promote strong partnerships with parents and the community to support student learning. Encourage parent involvement, provide resources for at-home learning support, and facilitate open lines of communication between parents, teachers, and administrators. Engaging the community in supporting academic outcomes can have a positive impact on student achievement.