In advance of this year’s Democratic Party Primary, the Williamson County Democratic Party is publishing a series of posts highlighting the races and candidates voters can expect to find on their ballots. Each post will focus on a different office and offer all candidates the opportunity to answer the same series of four questions. Today’s post centers of the Texas State Board of Education, Place 10.
The Texas State Board of Education sets standards and manages policy for all public schools in the state of Texas. Their duties include adopting instructional materials, review of new charter schools, setting graduation requirements, and setting overall curriculum standards. Williamson County voters will be electing a new representative to fill the District 10 seat on the board.
After collecting responses, we have learned that State Board of Education candidate DC Caldwell is concurrently running in the Republican and Libertarian parties primaries for this office, in addition to the Democratic Party primary. We feel it is in the best interest of our voters and community to be aware of this situation.
It’s time to meet the candidates for State Board of Education, District 10:
Raquel Saenz Ortiz
Why are you running for office?
Why do you feel it’s important to do so as a Democrat?
Raquel Saenz Ortiz has seen that the field of Education is in crisis, with many teachers leaving the profession, influenced in their decisions by legislation that has restricted teacher agency. Raquel wants to uplift teachers’ voices in promoting a more equitable education for Texas students.
What are your qualifications?
Raquel Saenz Ortiz was a middle and high school Social Studies teacher for ten years, beginning her career in South Texas. She was later a guidance counselor and school administrator. She has a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction and now trains secondary-level teachers in Georgetown, TX.
What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
If elected, Raquel Saenz Ortiz will ensure that both the state curriculum standards (TEKS) and instructional materials are historically/scientifically accurate, promote critical thinking, and support diverse perspectives. She will ensure that teachers’ voices are centered in these processes.
Why should voters choose you in the Democratic Primary?
Raquel Saenz Ortiz has dedicated her entire career to the field of Education. She is regularly in schools, working with teachers in District 10, and knows the issues currently facing both teachers and students. She is committed to increasing student success and supporting teachers.
Why are you running for office?
Why do you feel it’s important to do so as a Democrat?
I care about kids, so I am saddened by how badly our school system fails them. We need to do better for children in the next generation than was done for us in past decades. The best shot at replacing the business-as-usual Republican incumbent’s failed leadership is with the Democratic nomination.
What are your qualifications?
First and foremost, I love kids. I am a dad. I have worked as a sub and teacher of record for several years. I am certified to teach every academic area with multiple subject certifications. I am also a graduate of the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets and the TSU Thurgood Marshall School of Law.
What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
I want to redirect the misguided, outdated, badly written curriculum standards known as the TEKS. I expect to convince a majority of the board to realign from college-focused to career-ready with an emphasis on practical application of skills. I hope to add goal-setting and decision-making basics.
Why should voters choose you in the Democratic Primary?
If voters care for every child, they should choose me. Why? Cuido a TODOS los niños. I care about ALL kids, not just groups of underserved minorities that would benefit most from my proposed improvements. I would fix the ignorance of modern technology’s role in the standards, affecting everyone.
The State of Board of Education, District 10 candidates will appear on your ballot in this year’s Democratic Party Primary. Don’t forget to vote for this important office, and remember that early voting starts Tuesday, February 20 and continues through Friday, March 1. Election Day is Tuesday, March 5.
Find your polling place in Williamson County.