Candidate Profile 2021: Joanna Steere, Pennsbury School Board

FALLSINGTON, PA — Joanna Steere, a yoga instructor and community volunteer, is running for Director of the Pennsbury School Board in Region 3.

Steere is one of four candidates running for a four-year position: the other candidates are Linda L. Palsky, Jennifer Spillane, and Tim Watkins. Jeannine Delwiche and Frank Cabanas are running for two-year positions.

The general election is set for Nov. 2.

Here's Steere's profile, as filled out by the candidate:

Age (as of Election Day)

47

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Aaron Mackey (husband), Avery and Brayden (sons)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

BA, University of Virginia, 1996
MD, University of Virginia, 2003
Yoga Teacher Training, The Prancing Peacock, 2018

Occupation

Part-time Yoga Instructor 2018-present
Community Volunteer, varied positions, 2011 to present

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

Campaign website

www.pennsburysuccess.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am running for Pennsbury School Director because I want to help ensure all students of the district get the best education the district can provide and the community can afford. As a lifelong reading advocate, community volunteer, and a trained physician, who is passionate about public education, I am committed to using my skills for the benefit of all Pennsbury students. I have the time and energy to devote to the School Board, to support the Pennsbury School District in its stated mission to prepare “all students to become creative, ethical, and critical thinkers for lifelong success in a global society”.

The single most pressing issue facing our district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The top issue facing Pennsbury is providing a safe and welcoming environment that is conducive to learning, so that all students have the opportunity to reach their potential. To accomplish our goal of providing the best education to all our students will require listening to all stakeholders and synthesizing that information to address the ever changing needs of our community.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am committed to following the science to keep schools open for in person learning. By layering mitigation strategies (masking, physical distancing, vaccination, frequent hand washing/sanitizing, etc), we set the district on the best course for maintaining in person learning.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

I am running for an open seat.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

My goals as a Pennsbury School Director will be to: develop the children and teens of Pennsbury to their full potential, with the best education that supports the whole child; fairly distribute our resources, to ensure each child is supported as their needs require; maintain and refurbish our infrastructure, to ensure the continued education of all our children in a safe and conducive learning environment; and support our teachers, staff, and administration, so that they can continue to provide our youth with a high quality education.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have experience serving on multiple Boards with the purpose of supporting the common good, including but not limited to serving as Board President of the Friends of the Amherst County Public Library (4/2011 to 8/2016) and Board Secretary of the Eleanor Roosevelt Parent Teacher Organization (6/2018 to 6/2020). I am a critical thinker and a problem solver. While living in rural Virginia, it came to my attention that the children entering our local Public School as Kindergartners had a wide range of experience with books, some children were already reading, while others had never seen a book. By researching successful early literacy programs and working with the Kindergarten teachers and administration of the school district, I was able to start and run “Get Ready to Read”, a summer reading program to help incoming Kindergarteners engage with books in a fun and meaningful way. I look forward to using my skills for the benefit of all the students in the Pennsbury School District.