I remember, as a child, I enjoyed spending a lot of time outside but one of my favorite things to do was to walk down the street and purchase a newspaper from the newspaper machine. I loved to read the comic strips. But I also felt drawn to reading the stories of children who were seeking adoption. In fact, I would often beg my mother to adopt one of the children in the newspaper.
Even at an early age, I understood that children have the best chance to succeed when they have a loving and safe environment and access to the resources that they need to thrive. That was probably the earliest sign that I would go on to be a social worker.
Once I became a mother, my passion to advocate for children intensified enormously. I started volunteering at my kids’ elementary school because I wanted to be involved in their education and make sure that they received the highest-quality education possible.
The desire to make sure they received the highest-quality education extended to their classmates. I served as a room parent eight times at Chapman Elementary. Eventually, that desire extended to their entire school as I served as PTO President at Davis Middle School three times, and as the current PTO President at Scioto High School. I have often thought of myself as “adopting” every single student in “Irish Nation.” Now I see myself as “adopting” every single student in Dublin City Schools.
My oldest daughter once asked me if I wish I had four children. I told her that I was happy with three, and yet I did always want to adopt a child. Perhaps that is why I spend much of my time volunteering at school and why am passionate about making sure every single student leaves Dublin City Schools equipped to thrive and succeed.
I am running for a seat on the Dublin City School Board because I am committed to making sure every student in our district receives a high-quality education that prepares them with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities to be successful contributors in our twenty-first century society.
This year has been a difficult year for our district with the challenges of navigating the Covid-19 pandemic, addressing issues around diversity, equity and inclusion, community discord, and the turnover in high-level administration roles.
As a current parent in the district, a long-time dedicated volunteer, and a licensed Social Worker, I am connected to the issues in our community, and I understand how school policy impacts our students. As a school board member, I will work to build trust, transparency, and engagement with our students, parents, teachers, and community members; advocate for learning environments that affirm and support the whole child; and promote educational excellence for all students—regardless of their background or circumstances.
I am confident that we can create a high-performing school district that truly serves ALL students. It all begins by creating a school board that represents our families and actively listens to our teachers parents, and key stakeholders. That is why am asking for your vote.
So please vote Tiffany deSilva for the Dublin School Board on November 2nd. It would be an honor to represent you. Thank you for your support!
