She strives for improved mental health outcomes.
McFarland says, “when mental health suffers, all other aspects of the child’s life are affected, including learning.”
Erica's plan to prioritize mental health also includes: "creating a safe environment where all students feel valued, implementing social-emotional learning programs beginning on the youngest grades, and ensuring that we have enough mental health professionals in each building." She sees social-emotional learning programs help students "make responsible decisions, build positive relationships, and creates a solid framework by which they can reach their goals."
She also understands, "Before a student can learn, their basic needs must be met. This includes their mental health. The mental health of the educator must be a priority as well."
Erica's plan to prioritize mental health also includes: "creating a safe environment where all students feel valued, implementing social-emotional learning programs beginning on the youngest grades, and ensuring that we have enough mental health professionals in each building." She sees social-emotional learning programs help students "make responsible decisions, build positive relationships, and creates a solid framework by which they can reach their goals."
She also understands, "Before a student can learn, their basic needs must be met. This includes their mental health. The mental health of the educator must be a priority as well."
She protects our libraries.
Erica says our libraries have chosen books that are age-appropriate, and trusts school media specialists. She says, “I believe in protecting our librarians and the books our children have access to.”
When it comes to attacks on honest and accurate history education, she says, "I will always listen to the concerns of members of our community, however, I will never support changes to the curriculum which seek to discount the experiences of others." Specifically, Erica understands that changes in curriculum should not come based on one person or group's personal beliefs, but based on the professional judgement of schools and educators. She emphasizes, "Children of all races, religions, gender identities, abilities and disabilities, need to see themselves in our curriculum. When our curriculum reflects all children, we are better for it."
When it comes to attacks on honest and accurate history education, she says, "I will always listen to the concerns of members of our community, however, I will never support changes to the curriculum which seek to discount the experiences of others." Specifically, Erica understands that changes in curriculum should not come based on one person or group's personal beliefs, but based on the professional judgement of schools and educators. She emphasizes, "Children of all races, religions, gender identities, abilities and disabilities, need to see themselves in our curriculum. When our curriculum reflects all children, we are better for it."
She promotes equity in our schools.
Erica understands that we aren’t taking anything away from one person when we make sure someone else has what they need to succeed, but instead, resources help us grow stronger together. From her personal experience, Erica says, "Diversity in our schools helps children grow into more empathetic adults who see to understand the experiences of those who are different from them. I 100% support creating school boundaries that ensure all of our students attend schools that are as diverse as possible. It is imperative that our schools are diverse and I will do whatever I can to support that."
Throughout her campaign, Erica has worked to learn the intricacies of the landmark education legislation, the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, and says "I applaud the effort to ensure that our funding is distributed in an equitable manner according to the needs of students at each school."
As a leader on the Citizen Advisory Committee, Erica also worked to review Policy JCD - Student Attire and Personal Appearance. She says she worked toward "creating policy that includes rather than excludes, and that does not shame students for their clothing, which is often beyond their control. A too-small shirt might be because there simply is not enough money for new clothing. Headwear can be for religious reasons. Or, honestly, the student may just feel more comfortable in clothing that they choose to wear and we should support that with very few exceptions. I will absolutely stand up against language that makes people, often females, feel as if their bodies are a distraction."
Throughout her campaign, Erica has worked to learn the intricacies of the landmark education legislation, the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, and says "I applaud the effort to ensure that our funding is distributed in an equitable manner according to the needs of students at each school."
As a leader on the Citizen Advisory Committee, Erica also worked to review Policy JCD - Student Attire and Personal Appearance. She says she worked toward "creating policy that includes rather than excludes, and that does not shame students for their clothing, which is often beyond their control. A too-small shirt might be because there simply is not enough money for new clothing. Headwear can be for religious reasons. Or, honestly, the student may just feel more comfortable in clothing that they choose to wear and we should support that with very few exceptions. I will absolutely stand up against language that makes people, often females, feel as if their bodies are a distraction."
She supports our educators.
As a parent advocate, she knows prioritizing the well-being and working conditions of educators is the best way to support our students, especially during and after the pandemic. She has spoken out about increasing pay and focusing on retaining the amazing educators we have in AACPS, and says "A great education comes from great educators who are well supported. We absolutely must prioritize retaining the great educators we have and recruiting more." Additionally, "the County can address the unmet needs in our schools by paying teachers well and giving them our full support. I believe in the talent and creativity of our educators and their ability to address the needs of all of our students. We need to properly support our teachers so they can in turn support all of our students, especially in schools with greater need.
She also understands that the teacher evaluation system is broken and that their ratings should not be tied to high-stakes student exams. She says "I believe in our teachers and their ability to work creatively to educator our students. Through professional development and collaboration, I believe that our teachers rise to the challenge of being great educators."
She also understands that the teacher evaluation system is broken and that their ratings should not be tied to high-stakes student exams. She says "I believe in our teachers and their ability to work creatively to educator our students. Through professional development and collaboration, I believe that our teachers rise to the challenge of being great educators."
She will fund our schools.
Erica says, "We should focus on setting up our school system so that every school in our county, our state and our country gives students a good, quality education. The more we invest in public education and entice everyone to utilize it, the better it becomes." As a Board member, she says she plans to "look closely into how our money is spent and how it should be allocated so that we are spending our funds in the best possible way for our students."
As a parent of students at Chesapeake High, she knows Mountain Road well. From traffic problems to overcrowded buses, she plans to emphasize recruiting and training of new bus drivers so every student has reliable transportation to and from school.
As a parent of students at Chesapeake High, she knows Mountain Road well. From traffic problems to overcrowded buses, she plans to emphasize recruiting and training of new bus drivers so every student has reliable transportation to and from school.
"She advocates for teacher pay!"
"Books should not be banned"
"She supports all students!"
There’s so much at stake for public education in Election 2024. TAAAC members have done the research and know that Erica McFarland is the best choice for educators and our students. By authority of MSEA’s Fund for Children and Public Education PAC, Colleen Morris, Treasurer; authorized by Friends of Erica McFarland, Marie Sabean, Treasurer.
