School Board Candidates Answer Questions: Anne Marie Rogers

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

The Anderson Observer reached out to all candidates running for school board seats in this year’s election. The following are the responses of those who responded. These interviews in no way constitute an endorsement of any candidate. They are published as a public service to Anderson County voters.

Candidates who still wish to be included in this public service can contact news@andersonobserver.com no later than 11 p.m. Oct. 28 for a chance to answer these 10 questions. The deadline for all submissions will be 11 p.m. Oct. 29. 

Anne Marie Rogers, Anderson School Dist. 3,  Area 4

1. What is the primary responsibility of a school board member?

Students' welfare and academic success are the primary responsibilities of anyone in a public education position. A school board member is a community representative to ensure students' welfare and education. One of the main goals of the Anderson School District 3 school board is “to communicate the educational expectations and aspirations of the community through the formulation of policies which stimulate the learner and the learning process.” To do this, one must not only be an engaged member of the community but listen to and collaborate with all community members, including parents and teachers. 

2. What are the three most pressing issues facing the school district for which you seek to serve?

According to the longitudinal data from the yearly South Carolina State Report Card, the two main issues in Anderson School District 3 are teacher retention and the teacher-to-student ratio. Also, I see a great need for more community involvement in our children’s education. Education is a community effort! 

3. How would you resolve these issues?   

As a school board member, you are responsible for ensuring that the right people are in administrative roles and fulfilling their duties. Board members should visit schools and talk to teachers and administrators to see their concerns and needs. Also, as the board is responsible for approving budgets, we need to find the funds for more teachers to decrease the student-to-teacher ratio, especially at the elementary levels. Regarding increasing community involvement, I think the board should instate a student advisory board and work to improve communication with the community, not only about decisions made and policies created but why the changes are needed. 

4. How would you solve differences in your goals/approach working with the superintendent/other board members?   

I am usually not a confrontational person. I try to use the softball philosophy taught to me by Gary Adams and Ann Cioffi. They taught us that when we reach the field gate, we leave all things unrelated to softball and only have softball on our brains when we walk through. We can pick back up the other stuff when we go. While this doesn’t work for every situation, when board members enter a meeting, they can leave personal differences and issues at the door and concentrate on making decisions based on what’s best for the students of our district. Vice versa, if disagreements happen inside the meeting, they don’t have to carry over to our personal lives. Even if I disagree with someone, I will still listen to them, hear their side, and try to understand their perspective. Usually, there is common ground to be found, which we can build upon to achieve our collective goals.  

5. Have you ever served on boards/foundations? 

I have not served on any boards or foundations. However, my current job in higher education requires me to participate in many committees and acquisitions dealing with education policies and budgets. I would be able to pull from experience to use in the school board setting. 

6. What experience/qualifications do you possess which make you an ideal candidate? 

I have been in education for over 18 years, including instruction, curriculum, instructional technology, faculty development, and higher education administration. I know and understand the learning process for all learners of all ages and types. I have three advanced degrees specializing in education, including a doctorate. As a mother, educator, children’s choir director, and Sunday school teacher, I love children and believe all children should have the opportunity to learn in a safe and welcoming environment. 

7. Describe your own education journey and what role education has played in your life.  How do you maintain a commitment to lifelong learning in your own life?   

My educational journey started right here in Iva, S.C. I graduated from Crescent High School in 1999, where I played softball and volleyball and was an honor graduate. I attended North Greenville University on an academic and softball scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 2003. While teaching full-time at Elbert County High School in the English department, I received a Master of Arts in Teaching from Piedmont College in 2008. I later graduated from Kennesaw State University in 2016 with a Specialist in Education degree focused on instructional technology. This past August, I completed a doctoral degree in Education Systems Improvement Science from Clemson University.  

Education has been a vital part of my life. Even after getting a terminal degree, I’m still thinking about what’s next–what can I do now to continue my educational journey? Education is a powerful foundation for the rest of our lives, and I want to help give the students of Anderson School District 3 the best possible foundation they deserve.

As far as being a lifelong learner, I read a lot. I subscribe to many educational blogs, newsletters, and news sources to stay up-to-date on current education trends, best practices, and pedagogy. I am constantly checking out books (your local library is a great resource). As I used to tell my high school students, reading will help you in all facets of education, including critical thinking and communication. 

8. How important is it to maintain competitive teacher salaries and how would you boost morale among teachers?

One positive aspect of District 3 is that the board recently increased teacher salaries to be competitive with the state average. That is huge for teachers! Teachers constantly feel underappreciated and often don’t feel respected as professionals. I often heard comments such as “You’re just a teacher.” and “It must be nice getting summers off.” These comments make teachers feel like they are not viewed as professionals and that their jobs are easy. The best way to make teachers feel appreciated is to pay them what they are worth, and teachers are paid much less than they are worth in this state. 

To boost morale, one must first see what issues and concerns the teachers have and address those. Listen and act. Give teachers a voice.  

9. How would you encourage the board to challenge high-achieving students?   

I have a high-achieving student. My daughter was the Crescent High School Class of 2022 Valedictorian. She was challenged best by having qualified teachers who enforced critical thinking skills. Some of her best experiences were with Advanced Placement (AP) teachers. These were the teachers who made the students think and work hard. It was never a regurgitation of material but the application of knowledge. They made her take what she learned, apply it, and explain. These higher-order critical thinking practices must be in all classrooms–not just AP, meaning more Gifted Certified and Advanced Placement teachers.  

10. Name three things you want voters to know about you as a person. 

1. I am a Christian with conservative values.

2. I love my community and our children. That’s why I am running for the school board. I’m not running to out-seat someone or to win a popularity contest. I’m running because I want to serve my community and ensure our children get the best education. 

3. I am a patriot and proud to be an American. I am from a family of men and women who served our country and married a Marine. I fly the American flag and will always stand for our country.