Meet Summit Hill D161 Board Of Ed Candidate: Amy Berk

FRANKFORT, IL — Amy Berk is one of eight candidates running for four open positions on the Summit Hill District 161 Board of Education in the April 6 election. Berk lives in Frankfort, and is a high school history teacher.

Berk recently filled out the Patch candidate survey, and her answers can be found below:

If you are a candidate for the April election, and would like to answer our Patch candidate questionnaire, please email andrea.earnest@patch.com.

Name: Amy L. Berk

Age (as of Election Day): 40

Town/city of residence: Frankfort (12 years)

School district: Summit Hill School District 161

Family: Jeffrey (husband)

Lyra (age 10 daughter)
Scrappy (dog)
Princess (hamster)

Mom, Dad, and Sister also live in Frankfort

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No one in my family currently works in government or politics. I am honored to come from a family that served our hometown community of Oak Forest. My dad is a retired policeman who served for 33 years and my mother worked as an advocate for others as an Alderman.

Education:

I earned my bachelor's in history with a minor in education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. My master's in Educational Leadership was earned at Lewis University.

Occupation:

For 19 years I have had the joy of teaching high school history. In that position I have served as a teacher leader and PLC leader for U.S. History.

Campaign website: Can be found here.

Previous or current elected or appointed office: None

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The first pressing issue facing everyone now is the pandemic. In terms of our school district, how do [we] safely keep kids in school for those roughly 80 percent of families who chose that for their families? How do we continue to support those remote students to keep a high standard of education and connection and look forward and plan for the return of those students at some point in the future. How do we support our teachers and staff who not only need to feel safe but need to feel respected and supported to continue their remarkable work? Showing empathy and consideration for all involved and doing this while looking forward can be done.

The second most pressing issue facing our board and district is an environment not conducive for student growth. Our students are not performing at the same level as some neighboring districts. Our teachers worked for a time without a contract. Board meeting time was used to address personal concerns with parents instead of being focused on helping teachers and students and the community as a whole. There needs to be “growth with respect.” A culture of respect will allow for discussions on student growth and teacher driven professional development when they are given the support to focus beyond basic needs like contract negotiations and are allowed to do what they do best.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I can only speak for myself. I have the experience or the tools and I am always willing to work and learn as I grow. My 19 years of teaching along with educational leadership has given me knowledge of the school system but has also given me the compassion, empathy, listening skills, speaking skills, adaptability, flexibility, and desire to constantly grow for the betterment of myself and my family of staff and students.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community or district?

I respect and am thankful to anyone who is willing to serve their community especially when it can be a thankless job at times. Anyone who volunteers to take on this position has to have the best interest of their community and the children of this community at heart.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

“Growth with respect” are words I plan to serve by. I want to be part of the board that creates a culture of respect which ultimately benefits students and student growth. The board represents the parents and the community. The board acts as a support for administration and teachers to do their jobs. Ultimately the end goal of collaboration is to provide our students with the best foundation and education.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As a teacher, I have served as a teacher leader, run our Professional Learning Communities, taught new teachers in professional development, created presentations on behalf of our department. In these roles, I have been a mediator between administration and staff, have mediated between peers, unpacked and aligned standards, and managed tasks.

Why should voters trust you?

A board member represents the community. I have shown that I can represent by attending and speaking at meetings. I have kept my calm and focus and respect during these meetings. I have a 4th grader in the district and I want to set an example for her that all her peers deserve a quality education and if you can step up and contribute to your community, you offer to be part of growth and solutions

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office a success?

Success in this case is not just determined by one person. Success would be working with the other board members for the benefit of our students as seen in their growth and progress. Success is leaving the district better for the next round of families moving into the 161 district because of the awesome school district.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

I will do my homework and do my best to make sure that accountability through research and bid processes and priority of need.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

I support positive actions that further meaningful movement and discussions towards equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

There is always room to learn and grow and always work to be done to be better citizens and human beings.

What are your thoughts on the district’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic? Are you in favor of remote learning, in-person learning or a hybrid of the two? Do you support a mask mandate for students and school staff, or mandatory coronavirus testing for both students and staff?

The board had an extremely difficult task dealing with this virus. I would have liked to have seen a focus on not if, but how we were going to get students and staff safely back in school for the majority of our community that wanted it and students that needed it. A respectful collaboration between admin, teachers, and board with a focus on a solid plan to move forward should have occurred from the start. While personally, the best choice for my student was in person, I respect the choice of those families that needed to stay remote and those teachers who needed to stay remote. Hybrid was probably the most difficult for educators and students and families.

When the vaccine is available to them, do you support mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for students and staff?

I would defer to guidelines put out by health organizations and encourage staff and parents to make decisions based on those guidelines.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

This was a well-thought-out and talked about decision to volunteer and put my name as a candidate for this position. I consulted family and friends and decided that I would be able to make a 100% commitment to this community.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

The best advice shared with me was not so much words but the actions of my parents. They taught me to value education, to work hard at whatever you do, and show kindness towards others.