An Open Letter to D47 Teachers

Following is (as much as is humanly possible) a transcript of the speech I gave tonight at the D47 board meeting. I am not sharing this to toot my own horn. I am sharing it because some of the people I mentioned in the speech were not present. I want to make sure they know how much they mean to my children and my family. 

Hi, my name is Sue Carbajal. I feel like it's important to mention that I am a product of public education. I feel very strongly about public education. We are one of the few countries in the world that invests so heavily in public education. I do not think that charter schools or other schools are the answer to our education problem. 

I am the daughter of two educators. My mom has been a bilingual first grade teacher in District U46 for over 25 years. I walked with her in picket lines. I stand behind all teachers. My dad currently teaches at Indian Prairie. He told me to look for a friendly face before I started talking. I did and now I'm afraid I'm going to burst into tears. 

I also need to say thank you to my husband Brian, who is home with all four kids right now. 

We moved to Crystal Lake almost 9 years ago when my oldest was six months old. We chose Crystal Lake over neighboring towns because we heard about how wonderful (and highly rated) the schools were and continue to be. 

My oldest, Jeremy, who is now 9, is at Indian Prairie in third grade. I anticipate he will be participating in the extended curriculum program next year. This is significant because he has had an IEP and a 1-on-1 aide since Kindergarten. His teachers, Shannon Martin, Kristin Johnson, Jen Beier and his 1-on-1 aide, Cheryl Brady (who, when he was tasked with writing an essay about a VIP, he wrote about Mrs. Brady), have all helped him cope with diagnoses of ASD, ADHD and SPD. I just recently checked his progress report and while all of his academics were great as usual, I was most moved by what his music teacher said--that he was greatly improved in that subject. 

Bekah, who is 7, has flourished and discovered a love of reading as a result of wonderful instruction from Shannon Martin, Jena Brogan and Julie Preshlock. It was because of Mrs Brogan that we discovered Bekah had a vision issue. Mrs. Brogan never doubted that Bekah was a reader. From the first time I was in her class, Mrs. Brogan indicated that all the kids were readers. In a different district or an overcrowded class, Bekah might have fallen through the cracks. Because she's in D47, she didn't. 

Doug, my younger son (now 5), started in Early Intervention. His occupational therapist let me know she wouldn't be attending his transition meeting [with the staff at Wehde]. When I pressed her about it, she told me there was no need for her to be there. She knew the staff at Wehde would adopt any recommendations she made. She also noted that she always attends transition meetings in neighboring districts. In those districts, she has to fight so that her patients get the services she feels are vital. 

When Doug got to Wehde in 2014, [at age 3], he was barely verbal. Because of the work of Kathy Davis, Jean Besserud and the various support staff--I will also mention Taylor Hansen because her name is in my mind--Doug has become quite a chatterbox and has met many of the other goals the staff has set for him. His favorite thing to say to me lately is, “I love you nommy. You're my best friend.”

My youngest, Brooklyn, is 8 months old. By the time she reaches Indian Prairie, I'm sure she will be a legend. [What I meant here was that all her siblings love her so much. Her picture has been shown to several classes and her grandpa works there. She will not be able to hide.]

My husband and I lived in our house for almost five years before one of our kids started school. We have struggled financially, but we have fought tooth and nail to stay in our home because of the schools and quality educators in District 47. We have never complained about the taxes we pay. We believe the best way we can spend our tax dollars is to fairly and generously compensate the educators that pour into our children and our community. 

Technology is a necessary component to help our children compete in our world, but without quality educators helping to operate the technology, the iPads and other technology are useless. 

Thank you for allowing me to address you this evening. 

(I love public school and I will defend it until I draw my last breath.)