Create top-notch learning environments in C.R.

I have lived in this community a combined 30 years, spending K-12 as a student in the Cedar Rapids Community School District. I am now a mom of two young children, and my current and future reality will be rooted in CRCSD.

Strong public education is the bedrock of a vibrant and thriving community, which is why I decided to study education. With a background in elementary education, I was drawn to the profession because I cared about creating a vibrant and comfortable learning environment for every single student. For the past 10 years, I have been working in the entrepreneurial and nonprofit leadership space — helping business owners and educators get access to entrepreneurial and technical education programs and resources.

As a school board member, I stand for creating top-notch learning environments; inclusive of student-driven real-world learning. Within this realm, let’s shine a light on offering equitable opportunity, experiences, and resources across all facilities. We’ve set ambitious goals for our district in the coming years, which is invigorating! I aim to bring creativity to the table, taking a deeper look at the current landscape and using an innovative mindset to guarantee that all learning spaces meet the growing needs of our students and educators.

I am focused on keeping up the momentum when it comes to hiring and retaining quality educators. As a former teacher, I have the utmost respect for our educators and how hard they work. I want every CRCSD staff member to feel valued and supported in our district. School safety (both emotional and physical safety) are also at the top of my list. Let’s do everything we can to make certain that schools have the resources and guidance they need to cultivate safe learning environments. And let’s discover new ways to engage with community partners so we can address some of the growing mental health concerns in our schools.

I look forward to being a strong community advocate, ensuring every child in our community has engaging learning opportunities, experiences, and resources available to them. Transparency and honest, open communication will be at the core of my role as a board member. As a representative of our entire community, I’m here because I care about not just my children, but the educational success of all children in our district.

Kaitlin Byers is a candidate for Cedar Rapids school board District 4