Eden Prairie Local News
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Tuesday, March 28
    • About
      • About EPLN
      • Team
      • EPLN in the News
      • Policies
    • Contact
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Subscribe
    Eden Prairie Local News
    • Home
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Public Safety
    • City
    • Calendar
    • Donate
    • Subscribe
    • More
      • Construction
      • Outdoors
      • Politics
      • Health
      • Spirituality
      • Community Service
      • Legacy
      • Obituaries
      • Arts
      • Family
      • Holidays
      • Letter to Editor
      • Listen
      • Jobs
    Eden Prairie Local News
    Home»Letter to Editor»Look through a different lens and cast your vote to support our whole community
    Letter to Editor

    Look through a different lens and cast your vote to support our whole community

    By Letter to EditorOctober 7, 2022Updated:October 24, 20222 Mins Read

    I would like to share my perspective as an Indian-American and how my experiences will influence who I vote for in this school board election. 

    Growing up, teachers talked about the poverty and pollution in India but dismissed the beauty of my culture. I was teased about my food and my grandmother’s sari. I can share so many experiences in which I was “othered.” If you meet me today, you hear my fluent English and experience my extroverted personality with no clue of the trauma that lies beneath. When I first moved to Eden Prairie, I fell in love with how welcoming and helpful everyone was; however, I also experienced instances of well-intentioned ignorance.    

    With all this in mind, I intentionally enrolled my children into Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion in hopes that they would have culturally sensitive teachers. I felt EHSI teachers had a unique openness to other cultures, and I NEEDED my children to have this “next level” of cultural understanding. There are so many benefits beyond cultural sensitivity at EHSI, so keeping a child’s identity safe should not be the main reason why one enrolls into an Immersion Program. All parents should trust that when their child enters any school building, they will be honored in their wholeness.  

    I hope my story helps our community see the continued need for a school board that considers all learners and their backgrounds (socio-economics, abilities, culture, race, language, etc.).  

    Advertisement
    Ad for Washburn-McReavy

    For these reasons, I will vote for Francesca Pagan-Umar. She has a teaching background in special education and diverse communities. She follows evidence-based practices and that we need to create functional classrooms where all our students can learn.   

    I will vote for Jody Ward-Rannow. With her legal background, she understands regulations and policies. She is a tireless leader in the PTO. If parents have a question, Jody finds the answer.   

    I will vote for Isaac Kerry. He is a father, volunteer and advocate for all our children. He is seeking election not as a political stepping stone, but to be in public service as he has done as a firefighter.

     Gaminee Sura, Eden Prairie

    Be Informed
    Sign up for the FREE email newsletter from EPLN
    Subscribe

    Comments

    Comments aren’t allowed on our site, but we do offer several ways to provide feedback, and have your voice heard. If you believe the story has an error, or would like to get in touch with the author, please contact us. If you would like to respond directly to this article, we welcome and encourage Letters To the Editor. You can find details on how to submit a letter on our contact page.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleEPHS placed on lockdown Friday due to anonymous threat
    Next Article EP Schools: Lockdown ends; police find threat against student not credible

    More to READ

    2 Mins Read

    Disappointed over suspension of EP basketball coach

    February 8, 2023
    2 Mins Read

    Discover the best climate policies with En-ROADS

    January 31, 2023
    1 Min Read

    ‘Appalled’ by abortion bill introduced in legislature

    January 18, 2023
    Subscribe to get EPLN in your inbox for FREE!
    Recent Articles

    Police arrest suspect in connection to theft, gun possession

    March 27, 2023

    EP-based running club stays active all year long

    March 27, 2023

    EPHS names O’Leary as new head dance team coach

    March 27, 2023

    Standing with Ukraine in MN

    March 27, 2023

    Celebrating everyday heroes: Read three winning essays from the EP Optimist Club contest

    March 26, 2023
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    Eden Prairie Local News is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 85-4248265 | Copyright © 2020-2023
    • About
    • Policies
    • Jobs
    • Contact
    • Advertising
    • Subscribe
    • Donate

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.