Lifelong Etowah County educator Priscilla Yother has announced her candidacy for the Alabama State Board of Education (BOE), District 6.
According to a release, Yother holds 36 years of combined experience as an elementary school educator and principal. Her campaign stated that during her 16-year career as a principal at Gadsden’s Eura Brown Elementary, Yother fostered “a quality and family-led education environment.”
In announcing her campaign, Yother stated her desire to bring her nearly four-decade-long career as a public educator to the state BOE.
“My passion has always been working with children. In doing so, I strived to create the best possible learning environment for my students to grow and become good citizens in their local communities,” advised Yother. “I look forward to bringing my experience and knowledge of public schools to the State School Board.”
She added, “In Alabama’s current K-12 system, there are many areas where we can improve the quality of education for our students. Alabama is facing an educational crisis in our elementary schools over grade-level reading and third-grade preparedness. As your State Board of Education member, I will work tirelessly to ensure the Literacy Act produces the results our students need. Additionally, by implementing the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP), Alabama is moving in the right direction for student proficiency in language arts, math, and science. However, we can do more for our students in our classroom curriculum.”
Yother went on to express her dissatisfaction with COVID-19 pandemic-era public school mask mandates and remote learning. The candidate also indicated that she would be an advocate for less bureaucracy in the public education system.
“As your State Board of Education member, it is my top priority to ensure all students can attend class in person and be safe while doing so,” continued Yother. “Online learning has crippled our teacher’s ability to teach effectively, while mask mandates continue to hinder the social and learning processes of our younger elementary students. Students must always have the choice to freely attend school and allow the parents to decide what they believe is best for their child. Schools run best when parents have a say and bureaucracy is kept to a minimum.”
The state BOE in August of last year banned Critical Race Theory-oriented teachings in public schools. Yother conveyed her support for enforcing the ban as she asserted the controversial academic concept to be hateful and divisive.
She concluded, “Lastly, we must enforce the ban on teaching Critical Race Theory in the classroom. The classroom is no place to teach hate and divisiveness. As educators, we must encourage and inspire our students. By setting our K-12 students up for success, our state will prosper as a result. That’s why I’m running to be your next State School Board member. I believe in our state and understand the importance of successful schools that create successful students.”
State BOE District 6 is presently occupied by Cynthia McCarty (R-Birmingham), who has opted to forgo reelection.
The primary election will occur May 24, 2022.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.