Laura McClendon

Why did you decide to run?

I went to (St. Louis Park) junior high and high school. For me, the school was a good experience academically (and) because of those academic opportunities, I was able to earn scholarships to go to college. The other part is being a minority female myself. I know that there are a lot of racial equity issues going on in St. Louis Park, and I know St. Louis Park is very progressive in their work and they have started addressing those issues.

What do you believe to be the biggest issue in the school district right now that you would like to address?

I would like to address the achievement gap and racial equity and how we make sure that everyone in St. Louis Park is served, not just a certain group of students. For example, our school calendar tends to follow Christian holidays, so how are we making sure that students that observe other religions, if they’re missing school, are not being left behind. I think technology is able to address a lot of the disparities — not all of them, (you) still need a human being and a teacher that is forming relationships — but an example is we have a huge number of students that observe Ramadan, so we can have one-to-one (communication) and teachers are expected to put all their daily lessons on Schoology, and (students) can email us saying ‘I got to this part of the lesson and I don’t understand it, so can we meet about it when I get back next week’. I also think we need a hire teachers of color and hire teachers that are different ethnicities and religions because if they’re on the teaching staff, they could advocate for those students. 

What was your background before you decided to run?

I currently teach at Washington Technology Magnet School which is part of the St. Paul Public Schools. I teach 6th grade physical science and I’ve been doing that for 7 years. 

What skills do you believe you bring to the table for the School Board?

Obviously having deep roots in St Louis Park. I’m committed to the community and know what St. Louis Park is and what it’s all about, and I know the values of  St. Louis Park. (I also) have a Master’s degree in genetics, so I have that science piece of trying to get females into the STEM classes and and being competitive as they move out into the workforce.