For the first time in many years, the State Board of Education now has an active teacher among its ranks. The State Senate today followed the House in confirming Kristen Record’s nomination to the body that supervises the educational interests of the state.
“I’m thrilled that the House and Senate have approved the nomination of Kristen Record, who’s a physics teacher in Stratford, to a position on the State Board of Education,” said Redding teacher and State Rep. Chris Poulos. “As qualifications go, more important than any of her awards is the fact that she actually teaches. She’s the first active, practicing teacher that will soon sit on the State Board of Education and talk to the other people making policy decisions about teachers and tell them what the implications of those decisions look like in the classroom. We need to do more of that. We need to engage our teachers at all levels—at the district level, at the state level, and at the national level in conversations about issues that affect our profession.”
Joining Record (center) to support her at her nomination hearing earlier this month were CEA Director of Affiliate Services and Member Training Herman Whitter, Treasurer Stephanie Wanzer, President Kate Dias, Vice President Joslyn DeLancey, Rep. Chris Poulos, and 2019 State Teacher of the Year Sheena Graham.
Record is a 2011 State Teacher of the Year, and among many other recognitions has been awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching, was inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame, and received the NEA Foundation’s California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence. She serves as vice president in her local union, on her district’s professional development and evaluation committee, is a certified TEAM mentor, and facilitates professional development around the topics of equity and access to STEM education and engaging K-12 students in STEM career explorations.
“I believe that the best education policy is created when teachers have a seat at the decision-making table, bringing the voice of our expertise and our daily lived experience, as well as the voices of our students, into the discussion,” Record told legislators during her confirmation hearing. “It would be an honor for me to serve on the State Board of Education as that voice.”
“I can’t wait to finally see an active teacher at the table when the State Board of Education holds their May meeting,” said CEA President Kate Dias. “Kristen is a strong advocate for our profession, and I know she will make sure teachers voices are heard.”
