Former teacher sees board service as advocacy for kids

Carol Ackerson is seeking a four-year term on the District 88 Board of Education

By KREMENA TODOROVA

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Carol Ackerson sees herself primarily as an advocate for District 88's students -- their well-being, health and safety.

"Society owes the future some preparation," says the District 88 Board of Education member and retired English teacher, in a characteristic concise, to-the-point manner, summing up a philosophy that's a product of more than 40 years of involvement in education.

A graduate of St. Cloud State University, Ackerson spent her entire professional life in New Ulm, teaching high-school English for 41 years.

After retiring a little more than two years ago, she never severed the connection with the district, continuing to serve it as a school board member.

Ackerson, who is completing her first, two-year term on the board, is among five candidates running for four four-year seats.

Ackerson says she is running again because she believes in being involved -- and feels she has something to contribute to the district.

"I care very much about what happens to our young people," she says. "I want to do everything I can to ensure they get a good start."

Ackerson says that her two years of service have given her a much "broader view of what it is that the school district does."

It has increased her knowledge of the financial side of education -- and also given her an insight into "the importance of involving all stakeholders in the decision-making process" -- an "education" that would come in handy if she gets re-elected.

Further justifying her decision to run again, she also notes that likes working with the current members of the board.

"We are respectful of each other and take into consideration different opinions," she says.

Ackerson feels she fits in well with the rest of the board -- "giving them a point of view they maybe don't have" -- the perspective of a life-long educator.

"I have knowledge of how education works -- of trends and research in education," she says. And, she ads, "I can compromise well."

Ackerson's "student-centricity" is reflected into the beliefs she applies to her work as a board member.

For example, she believes strongly in a low student-to-teacher ratio that would enable teachers to spend more time with students and deal with what ever issues the kids have -- academic, social or emotional.

"The last thing I'd ever cut into is the ratio of teachers to students," Ackerson says.

She also stresses her conviction that education is a community affair.

When funding cuts call for tough decisions, she says, everybody -- school board, administrators, teachers, parents, students and people in the community -- need to be participating in the decision-making process.