Erin Jones for superintendent

In the race for superintendent of public instruction, an examination of the candidates’ experience and background indicates we have two qualified people running. However, when we look deeper, one candidate rises head and shoulders above: Erin Jones spent more than twenty years in education. She has classroom and administration experience. She knows the system and built stronger students, teachers and schools. Erin was assistant superintendent. She has the skills and experience to lead in new, exciting directions.

Jones has a passion for making schools work. Her commitment to every child is unwavering. You see it in how she engages children and the urgency with which she coaches teachers. She’s the leader our schools need to become exceptional.

Erin’s opponent is a legislator. They failed schools by failing to comply with the McCleary decision and fully fund basic education. He should have done his job as representative. We don’t need another politician in charge.

Erin has the character, passion, vision and leadership to inspire changes our schools need. I worked with Erin for years, training college students to teach, developing education policy, training university faculty. Her passion and commitment to education are real. The superintendent must administer the office and work with a budget, either candidate on the ballot can do this. For me, though, the superintendent must engage the public, inspire teachers, build a vision for our schools and motivate our state to do better by our children. Jones is the candidate who can move our schools forward.

This story was originally published November 5, 2016 at 9:21 PM with the headline "Erin Jones for superintendent."