GPS candidates write about building relationships with teachers, administrators

By Tom Blodgett
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Twitter: @sp_blodgett

This is the eighth in a series of questions asked of Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board candidates. Voters will decide among these four candidates for the two open four-year seats on the board.    

What will you do to build relationships and trust with teachers and administrators? 

Collette Evans, loan originator  

Personal relationships are key to building trust, and I have found that these are best developed face-to-face. I plan to have a rotating schedule to continually visit our schools, as well as being easily accessible by phone or email. I believe seeing and listening is the best way to know what our successes and challenges are. I very much look forward to getting to better know our school community! Aside from these visits, I plan to be transparent, consistent and fair in my decision-making. 

Jill Humpherys, incumbent, homemaker 

When I was elected to the GPS School Board, I made a commitment to visit every school every two years. That is about 20 visits a year. Prior to my commitment, schools had not received visits from school board members regularly. These visits have helped me build relationships with principals and staff. I attend many functions like football games, musicals, and concerts. Often people will introduce themselves and share concerns while I am there. I also build trust by making evidence-based, data-informed, and thoughtful decisions on the school board. 

Trina Jonas, small business owner 

I have focused much of my volunteer efforts over the past 15 years on supporting teachers and administration. I have helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars and worked closely with teachers and administrators to try to help provide the learning environment for our children and the work environment for the staff so that all can thrive on our campuses. Through this experience I have learned that building trust and relationships with staff and teachers comes through listening, brainstorming together, and open communication. I would continue these same principles as a board member. I want GPS to attract and retain the best teacher and administrative talent we possibly can. Quality teachers and staff make a dramatic impact on our children’s academic success. 

Chad Thompson, real estate investment franchise owner 

Trust is key in the relationship between teachers and administration. The best way to create trust is through honesty and transparency. The trust between the teachers and the administration was broken during the RIF when 150 teachers lost their jobs and very little explanation was given. I will rebuild this trust between the teachers and the administration by creating an atmosphere of complete and total transparency.

Tom Blodgett
Senior News Editor | Gilbert
@sp_blodgett

tblodgett@iniusa.org

Meet Tom
Tom Blodgett joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2022, when the company acquired Community Impact Newspaper's Phoenix-area properties. Raised in Arizona, he has spent more than 35 years in journalism in the state.

Community: He has served as an instructional professional in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication since 2005, and is editorial adviser to The State Press, the university's independent student media outlet. He also is director of operations for an 18U girls fastpitch softball team from Gilbert.

Education: Arizona State University with a BS in Journalism. 

Random Fact: He lived in Belgium during his freshman year of high school.  

Hobbies: Tweeting enthusiastically about ASU softball (season-ticket holder) and grumpily about other local sports (pessimistic fan).