Kimberly McKay, Candidate For Haverford School Board

Kimberly McKay - School Director

Age (as of Election Day)

44

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Kimberly and her partner have two children. A 14 yr old at Haverford High School and a 12 yr old at Haverford Middle School

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

BS in Child Development & Family Studies; Masters in Social Work; Masters in Education; and PhD in Social Work

Occupation

I have over 20 years of experience as a social worker in the field and teaching social work at the university level. I have worked with youth as a school social worker and as an outpatient therapist for children and families. I have also co-facilitated a number of trainings for the Philadelphia school district staff and university faculty and staff aimed at designing inclusive learning environments that respect all students and support their development across the life span.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

Campaign website

https://www.facebook.com/Haver...

Why are you seeking elective office?

I deeply care about and value the importance of public school education in supporting the educational and social development of our children and youth. I bring a unique set of experience and skills to compliment other members of our School Board in providing leadership for the Haverford School District. As a social worker I am trained in clinical skills of counseling and support and also in facilitating programs and evaluating policies through the lens of equity and inclusion. As an educator, I have designed and evaluated curriculum and appreciate the importance of balancing academic, social, and emotional learning with a range of enrichment opportunities.

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

Balancing the academic and emotional needs of our students as they transition back to full time in-person learning and to support our teachers and staff. I plan to advocate for ongoing contingency planning that considers the educational and socio-emotional considerations for delivering effective education in our district.

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

I believe I am the only trained social worker running for School Director this year. My direct and administrative practice experience position me to evaluate proposed and existing policies from these perspectives, integrating research evidence and our collective lived experiences. Throughout my career, I've used the social work Code of Ethics - rooted in the values of integrity, service, competence, social justice, importance of human relationships and the dignity and worth of each person - to navigate complex situations. I intend to bring this same perspective to my service as a member of our school board.