I, Tyra Bennett, am proud to have the opportunity to become a public servant. I humbly listen and encourage anyone to inform me of the issues faced within the community. As a problem solver, I will forever prioritize the needs and interest of our county’s citizens.
First and foremost, I believe great change starts with our youth.
Many parents of St. Mary’s county students have brought the Elms Environmental Center to my attention.
For generations, the Elms has gifted students a place to appreciate the nature of the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding wildlife. I myself am quite close to the Elms and will do everything in my power to see it open for all to experience through programs. If elected, it will be my duty to maintain the serene beauty of the Elms attentively.
In order to provide students with a nurturing and mentally-enriching environment, we should carefully evaluate the media in libraries and classrooms. I will ensure that the books and other materials provided are age appropriate. Protecting the innocence of our children is the duty of the Board of Education. There isn’t any excuse to make extreme graphic or explicit content accessible in a school.
What would further assist our youth’s understanding and bring us closer to a more positive society would be the integration of special needs children into general classrooms. A student with a disability should be treated with the same respect as their peers. In society, as adults, we are not segregated from those with special needs. In fact, it is my goal to create safe, involving environments for all students to thrive.
As a volunteer teacher, I truly care for the mental and physical well-being of our students. If there is any way to improve their learning experience, I would immediately take action. You can positively count on me to watch over our youth and community!
Tyra Janet Bennett
Petition Candidate for Board of Education At-Large
