The Arrowhead School Board needs experience, stability, integrity, and institutional knowledge. With nearly 19 years on the Board and having served alongside four Superintendents, I can provide what several in their first term on our Board cannot. My opponent would add to the inexperience. At this time, civility and efforts toward building mutual respect in the context of a nonpartisan effort to govern are especially important. I represent the entire AHS community without partisanship and respect the long standing “Tradition of Excellence” at Arrowhead. Over the years I believe I have had a part in building that tradition of excellence.
Divisiveness has been a challenging issue in many communities recently, including our own. It is difficult to make constructive decisions in that atmosphere. I have led my church board and have sat on the boards of two small nonprofits as well as the Arrowhead board. I have learned in these contexts that intentional, active listening to others’ points of view, earning people’s trust and respect, communicating and collaborating, and finding common ground are essential skills in good governance. I will continue to utilize these skills to benefit the Arrowhead community.
@CraigForArrowheadSchoolBoard
Experience in Education
As far as I know I am the only AHS board member who has any educational training or experience in a public school classroom having taught in the Sun Prairie School District, at Arrowhead, and at Stone Bank School albeit some time ago. I have some diversity in my teaching experience from junior high to high school and from science to German language.
My observation is that various students learn differently than their peers, so a variety of learning experiences need to be employed. Visual learning, audible learning, hands on learning, valuable input from teachers in a full class context and one on one, participation in groups with others... all these strategies are valuable in the classroom. As a Board we need to encourage and support our teachers and provide an environment in which they can flourish for the benefit of our kids. Our teachers need to be respected, trusted, and treated as valuable partners in the educational process.
Career & Life Experience
I worked for nearly four decades in my career as a financial consultant working with individuals and couples planning and investing for their retirement goals. It has been very gratifying to me to see so many of my clients now enjoying a comfortable retirement. From my career experience I know the importance of fiscal responsibility. This understanding transfers readily to the school realm and wise use of taxpayer resources.
An important part of my educational background includes having earned a B.S. in Science Education from UW-Madison. I have had several classroom teaching experiences. Right out of UW-Madison I taught science for three years in the Sun Prairie school district. Years ago, before my wife and I had children, I also taught four levels of German language at Arrowhead for a semester as well as a brief stint at Stone Bank School before entering my long-term career in finance. I have real experience in the classroom with kids including Arrowhead kids. I understand education in a way that a non-educator cannot.
I am blessed with another valuable life experience: living and working abroad for three years while in my twenties. During those years I travelled extensively through most of eastern and western Europe. At that time, I learned and acquired fluency in the German language and have worked to maintain this skill. Since then, I have done a good deal of additional travelling. Experience abroad has given me a wider, more global perspective than most. I can appreciate views that differ from my own.
Volunteerism
I have been a member of Elmbrook Church Lake Country, formerly Westbrook Church, since 1983. During that time, I served in a variety of ways including leading the youth group, leading many Bible study groups, assisting with our annual Fall festival, serving on our global outreach team, representing the church abroad, and serving as Chairman of our Board for five years during a period of rapid growth.
I have also served on the boards of two small nonprofit organizations.
Honoring...
The efforts of educators
In January Amy and I had the privilege of visiting Kenya where she had lived four decades ago. Her former roommate, Irene (right), established a school for kids living in a Nairobi slum who otherwise had no hope for a high school education.
Tutoring...
Volunteer at North Lake every week.
It has been a wonderful experience to tutor a few kids needing extra help through the Oasis program which was established by a longtime friend. This one-to-one interaction keeps my understanding of kids and the educational process fresh.
Sharing Laughs...
With Kenyan high school students.
Nairobi, January 2024
When Amy and I visited the Kenyan high school established by her longtime friend, Irene, we were blessed with the opportunity to interact with the students in their classroom, during an assembly, and during a lunch period. What fun to get to know these precious kids!
Much of my volunteer time over the years has been within the context of Elmbrook Church Lake Country (formerly Westbrook Church). Over the years my wife and I have led the youth group, global outreach teams, and our annual fall festival. Additionally, we have represented our church abroad in Mexico, Europe and Africa. We have encouraged and interacted with numerous workers whom the church supports in these locations. I have led numerous Bible study groups and was Chairman of the church board for five years during a period of rapid growth.