Committed to District 97 and the Oak Park community.
Experienced in education technology and research.
Community commitment
My husband Dave and I have lived in Oak Park with our two children, currently D97 fourth graders, for over eight years. We chose Oak Park after an extensive search across multiple Chicago suburbs. It is now more than a place to live; it is our home and our community.
We have gained so much from this community that I believe it is important to give back. I began volunteering in District 97 with Beye, first as a room parent, then as vice president of technology for the PTO, stage hand for the annual talent show, and tutor with the BeyePASS program. Two years ago, I joined the district-wide iLearn technology committee. When three positions opened on the Board this election round, neighbors and community members from across Oak Park suggested I run. After reviewing the role of the board as well as important District 97 issues, I found that I could make meaningful contributions as a board member based on my experience and expertise.
Experience in education, research, and technology
I have nearly three decades of experience in education research and resource development with a focus on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) to contribute. I am currently at home, helping my children with remote learning and working on writing projects. However, my career has included classroom and district-level research with the Education Development Center’s Center for Children and Technology and practical implementation and leadership at Shedd Aquarium, the Chicago History Museum, and the Adler Planetarium. Additionally, after working in the ever-changing field of technology, I have experience collaborating with experts to forecast the breadth of future possibilities and then developing plans and flexible resources to meet the needs of all possible scenarios within a budget. In these uncertain times, this skill would be valuable both to prepare for the next school year and to develop long-term plans to allow us to move beyond the effects of the pandemic.
Relevant to D97, I spent many years in districts as a researcher, seeing what worked in moving the needle on equity issues and where the pitfalls lay. I also have years of experience in museums collaborating with schools and students from across Chicagoland, getting to know how to build scaffolding using community as well as school resources to support the whole child -- academically, socially, and emotionally. As part of these experiences, I have interviewed and gotten to know a number of superintendents. I have a checklist of what makes an effective superintendent, rounded out by eight years in Oak Park, most of them spent volunteering at Beye and, more recently, the District. Finally, years spent working on museum budgets gives me insight on how to achieve as much as possible with limited resources and how we might work across governmental agencies to make a difference.
District 97 faces a number of challenges and opportunities over the next four years. Board members will be choosing a new superintendent and overseeing the critical implementation of the District Equity Policy. They will be working with others to answer a number of important questions, such as: How do we get back to school next fall? How do we assess and address learning loss and provide mental health supports? How do we keep the tax burden reasonable so we don’t lose economic diversity while maintaining quality? How do we continue the important work of implementing the equity policy?
I’m running for school board because I believe it is a role of critical importance to our schools and our community. We need a strong board with the expertise required to address challenges and take advantage of opportunities. My background in education research, technology, and non-profit management has given me the skills required to meet this need.
I hold a B.A. in Architecture from Wellesley College and an M.P.S. in Interactive Telecommunications from New York University.
Vote for Nancy Ross Dribin on April 6
If given the chance, I will work together with my fellow board members, families, and educators to ensure that the needs of all students are met by our schools.