I want to thank Ms. Janna Parker for agreeing to participate in a discussion about the state of education in Prince George's County, Maryland. All questions presented during our interview were provided by residents of Prince George's County, Maryland.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Can you share your vision for education in Prince George's County as a former educator and community leader?
Janna M. Parker: My vision for education in Prince George's county is that all students receive a comprehensive education that is genuinely catered to the individual child while supporting teacher, parent, and administrative capacity. I see an education within the county shaped not just by what is an outline in MSDE but also shaped by a vision of where we see the county through our youth. My vision deeply integrates community leaders and organizations to represent our county and support our students thoroughly. My vision includes safe, police-free schools with trauma-informed caregivers that are culturally competent.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Many in the community have suggested the recent BOE sessions have been an embarrassment and that the entire BOE should be replaced; what are your thoughts on the current BOE dynamics?
Janna M. Parker: I think that the culture of the current BOE lies solely on the leadership from the Board Chair and Vice-Chair and that they need to be replaced. That is not to say that there can't be room for growth and accountability throughout the BOE. Still, the toxic behavior and discourse from the Board Chair and Vice-Chair, both chosen by the County Executive, ignites and fuels a very contention and unproductive work relationship between themselves and all the BOE members.
Dr. Mike Robinson: In your opinion, what needs to happen for the taxpayers of Prince George's County to trust the BOE can govern the 2nd largest school district in Maryland?
Janna M. Parker: 1st, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks could keep her campaign promises and return the BOE to a fully elected board and repeal HB1107. In the interim of completing that, she could remove the current Chair and Vice-Chair of the school to facilitate a more appropriate and professional BOE interaction for the sake and focus of the children.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Would you support the return to a fully elected Board of Education? If yes, why, if no, why not?
Janna M. Parker: Yes, I feel that a fully elected BOE with the repeal of HB1107 creates a school system much like the other high-performing school systems in Maryland, where there is a system of checks and balances for the continued growth of our system for our children.
Dr. Mike Robinson: I have heard from the community there are concerns that too many of the Board of Education members have never taught in a classroom of any kind. Is that an issue of concern for you as a former educator?
Janna M. Parker: I think that having classroom experience is extremely important to understanding the dynamics of what teachers experience and the process of education in regards to the intersection of policies, procedures, and teaching. I also think that it is crucial to understand that the school system governs various topics, including labor issues, legal issues, etc.; It is helpful to have other areas of expertise on the board. That being said- teaching and teachers are the profession and professionals that make all other professions possible.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Are you concerned about the mental health of students and staff upon return to complete in-person learning in the fall?
Janna M. Parker: I am; many students and staff are still concerned about various issues aligned with the pandemic.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What is the issue with obtaining legal representation for BOE?
Janna M. Parker: This is a bit of a complex issue, but the long and short of it revolves around communication between BOE leadership and the rest of the BOE regarding when and how legal representation should be acquired after the previous Board Legal Representation. This lead to a vote for legal representation by several BOE members that produced a contract the BOE chair refused to sign. I understand that since no contract was put in place for the BOE to have legal representation because of the decision of the BOE Chair- the BOE Vice-Chair used a previous contract available and signed it on behalf of the BOE without a BOE vote.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Is there current legal representation for the BOE?
Janna M. Parker: I understand that the BOE currently has legal representation through a contract signed by the Vice-Chair of the BOE without a vote from the BOE.
Ms. Janna Parker, an over twenty-five-year resident of Prince George's County, is an advocate for America's public school system and voter education. A former educator within the Maryland/DC area for almost a decade, Ms. Parker now spends a majority of her free time advocating for changes in local and state policies in education, particularly around the subject of the school to prison pipeline, as well as educating her community on how to advocate for important issues directly to their elected officials on the local, state, and national level as well as other non elected civil servants.
Ms. Parker also works to educate her community on general voter consciousness within Prince George's county- using various platforms, including social media and speaking engagements, to do so. She works as an individual with a variety of different political action groups and organizations on the local and state levels, including Progressive Maryland, the School to Prison Pipeline Pushout Coalition, and the PGCABS- Prince George's Citizens for a Better School System, MAREE- Maryland Alliance for Racial Equity in Education, and PGChangemakers, to name a few, to push policies, agendas, and candidates who will work to make Prince George's county a fair, prosperous and equitable place to live in for all of its residents
Dr. Mike Robinson: Can you share your vision for education in Prince George's County as a former educator and community leader?
Janna M. Parker: My vision for education in Prince George's county is that all students receive a comprehensive education that is genuinely catered to the individual child while supporting teacher, parent, and administrative capacity. I see an education within the county shaped not just by what is an outline in MSDE but also shaped by a vision of where we see the county through our youth. My vision deeply integrates community leaders and organizations to represent our county and support our students thoroughly. My vision includes safe, police-free schools with trauma-informed caregivers that are culturally competent.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Many in the community have suggested the recent BOE sessions have been an embarrassment and that the entire BOE should be replaced; what are your thoughts on the current BOE dynamics?
Janna M. Parker: I think that the culture of the current BOE lies solely on the leadership from the Board Chair and Vice-Chair and that they need to be replaced. That is not to say that there can't be room for growth and accountability throughout the BOE. Still, the toxic behavior and discourse from the Board Chair and Vice-Chair, both chosen by the County Executive, ignites and fuels a very contention and unproductive work relationship between themselves and all the BOE members.
Dr. Mike Robinson: In your opinion, what needs to happen for the taxpayers of Prince George's County to trust the BOE can govern the 2nd largest school district in Maryland?
Janna M. Parker: 1st, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks could keep her campaign promises and return the BOE to a fully elected board and repeal HB1107. In the interim of completing that, she could remove the current Chair and Vice-Chair of the school to facilitate a more appropriate and professional BOE interaction for the sake and focus of the children.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Would you support the return to a fully elected Board of Education? If yes, why, if no, why not?
Janna M. Parker: Yes, I feel that a fully elected BOE with the repeal of HB1107 creates a school system much like the other high-performing school systems in Maryland, where there is a system of checks and balances for the continued growth of our system for our children.
Dr. Mike Robinson: I have heard from the community there are concerns that too many of the Board of Education members have never taught in a classroom of any kind. Is that an issue of concern for you as a former educator?
Janna M. Parker: I think that having classroom experience is extremely important to understanding the dynamics of what teachers experience and the process of education in regards to the intersection of policies, procedures, and teaching. I also think that it is crucial to understand that the school system governs various topics, including labor issues, legal issues, etc.; It is helpful to have other areas of expertise on the board. That being said- teaching and teachers are the profession and professionals that make all other professions possible.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Are you concerned about the mental health of students and staff upon return to complete in-person learning in the fall?
Janna M. Parker: I am; many students and staff are still concerned about various issues aligned with the pandemic.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What is the issue with obtaining legal representation for BOE?
Janna M. Parker: This is a bit of a complex issue, but the long and short of it revolves around communication between BOE leadership and the rest of the BOE regarding when and how legal representation should be acquired after the previous Board Legal Representation. This lead to a vote for legal representation by several BOE members that produced a contract the BOE chair refused to sign. I understand that since no contract was put in place for the BOE to have legal representation because of the decision of the BOE Chair- the BOE Vice-Chair used a previous contract available and signed it on behalf of the BOE without a BOE vote.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Is there current legal representation for the BOE?
Janna M. Parker: I understand that the BOE currently has legal representation through a contract signed by the Vice-Chair of the BOE without a vote from the BOE.
Ms. Janna Parker, an over twenty-five-year resident of Prince George's County, is an advocate for America's public school system and voter education. A former educator within the Maryland/DC area for almost a decade, Ms. Parker now spends a majority of her free time advocating for changes in local and state policies in education, particularly around the subject of the school to prison pipeline, as well as educating her community on how to advocate for important issues directly to their elected officials on the local, state, and national level as well as other non elected civil servants.
Ms. Parker also works to educate her community on general voter consciousness within Prince George's county- using various platforms, including social media and speaking engagements, to do so. She works as an individual with a variety of different political action groups and organizations on the local and state levels, including Progressive Maryland, the School to Prison Pipeline Pushout Coalition, and the PGCABS- Prince George's Citizens for a Better School System, MAREE- Maryland Alliance for Racial Equity in Education, and PGChangemakers, to name a few, to push policies, agendas, and candidates who will work to make Prince George's county a fair, prosperous and equitable place to live in for all of its residents