LAS Board of Education Candidate Q&A: Final Thoughts

Each Thursday, Lowell’s First Look is sharing a Q&A with candidates for the LAS Board of Education.

Responses are shared exactly as provided by the candidate with no editing.

Here’s what we asked this week, followed by each candidate’s answer. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name.

Why should voters elect you to the Lowell Area Schools Board of Education?

Jessica Curtis

As a parent of one recent graduate and two children attending Lowell Area Schools, serving on the board for the past four years has been a privilege. I am proud of the work the board has accomplished during this time. Seeing the board’s vision come to light with multiple improvement projects at our buildings and athletic complexes, providing a competitive contract for our staff so we can continue to retain and recruit the best educators for our students, and further investing in our students by providing them with the tools, resources, and the support they need, all while being fiscally sound.

As a board member, I have a huge responsibility to support student achievement and implement policies that ensure success for all students. Our students deserve to have the best opportunities in life, and their school experience plays a big part in supporting their success. I welcome the opportunity to bring my skills, experience, and commitment to the Board and share that responsibility.

In addition to serving on the board, I have served for 12 years as the secretary for the Lowell Education Foundation. I also serve as a board member for Lowell Athletic Boosters. I have been involved with the Lowell Middle School PTO. I have previously volunteered on various committees for Pink Arrow, Parent Focus Groups, and bond renewals. My husband and I are also actively involved with the Jason Kinzler Family First Foundation. These roles demonstrate my strong commitment to our community and have given me leadership experience and insights into building relationships within the district. These roles are also evident in my career, where I am responsible for meeting sales targets, developing and cultivating relationships with accounts, and maintaining an effective sales team.

If elected, my dedication, leadership, and experience I have already attained will provide continuity and support towards achieving our district’s future goals. It would be a pleasure to represent you, your children, and the community as a Lowell Area Schools board member.

Brian Krajewski

I am proud to have served on this school board, and in having the opportunity to lead the board as president during unprecedented times –  Thru these times I believe we have emerged better and stronger.  My goal in life has always been to leave a place, systems or group better than when I arrived.  As you can see from my comments throughout this process, and actions thru the years, my focus continues to be just that.

I want to take a moment to thank Lowell First Look and the Lowell Ledger for their engagement in this election.  I appreciate the transparency that you’ve provided to all the candidates and hope that we continue to prioritize “news” about Lowell Area Schools in the future.  I also want to thank the community for their support of our school system and our community members.  Your support is what makes it an honor to have served on this board.

Let your voice be heard on November 5th – Get out and vote !!

Sharon Shah

I am a diverse choice for the Lowell Area Schools Board and believe I would bring much, needed ideological balance. As a mother with a daughter about to graduate, I have experienced the challenges of raising a mature, emotionally intelligent, and well-rounded child. I have fought to ensure her success, including advocating for and refining her IEP plan to ensure she received the proper care and support to thrive. That experience has given me a deep understanding of the importance of individualized education, persistence, and collaboration with educators, values I will bring to the board.

With rich life experience and a compassionate heart, I am committed to hearing every voice, including those with differing opinions. My fiery determination ensures that I will see goals through to fruition. I believe parents must be given meaningful opportunities to share their insights, and I will actively work to use their input to shape policies that meet the needs of students, families, and staff.

By focusing on innovation and targeted interventions, we can close educational gaps and provide both students and teachers with the tools they need to succeed. I am committed to fiscal responsibility, creating opportunities for future generations while maintaining consistent, reliable policies that support families and educators alike.

Transparency will be a guiding principle, from the classroom to the boardroom. While we may not always agree, I am devoted to walking in unity with this beautiful community to make Lowell Area Schools the best they can be now and for the future.

Annie McMahon Whitlock

I have been in the field of education for over 20 years as a middle school social studies teacher, a curriculum director, and teacher educator. I have my Ph.D. in Curriculum, Instruction, and Teacher Education, and part of my job is to understand how educational systems work, read and conduct education research, and teach the future generation of teachers. I have served on the Board of Directors for the National Council for the Social Studies and the Michigan Council, where I am currently the President. In this role, I am in constant contact with the Michigan Department of Education and frequently advocate for public education to legislators in Lansing. Although I have not served on a school Board before, my learning curve will be far less steep, as I already bring decades of knowledge of education to the table.

I grew up in Lowell and graduated from LHS in 1999. My experience as a student prepared me for my academic success, and I was an active alum even when I didn’t live in Lowell. For example, I served as Vice-Chair of the Lowell Education Foundation to ensure teachers had funding for their innovative projects, and that future Lowell students had access to the same, if not better, educational opportunities as I did. When I had a job opportunity to move back to west Michigan in 2022, there was no doubt we would live in Lowell so my daughters could be Red Arrows.

I have two daughters– one in 4th grade and one in 2nd grade, both at Cherry Creek Elementary. My oldest daughter Maggie was born with a traumatic brain injury and has an IEP with many academic and physical needs. I have experience working with the team of teachers and administrators to make sure she has access to the best education possible. I am part of the Cherry Creek Parent Advisory Team to advocate for special education, and I will advocate for all special education students in the district as well. When youngest daughter McKenzie was at Bushnell, I was active in their Parent-Teacher Organization where we fundraised for school supplies and assisted teachers with what they needed. I know what it looks like to have a collaborative relationship between parents and educators.

Most importantly, I attended public schools my entire life as a student, and I have worked at public universities. I know the power of an excellent public school system and its ability to have a positive impact on the community. Public education is the foundation of our democracy and essential for community growth, which is why my voting record shows support for school funding, including voting yes to renew the bond proposal in May. I can’t think of a better way to use my expertise, knowledge, and perspective to serve Lowell students and families. I am committed to working collaboratively with the community to ensure Lowell Area Schools not only meets the current needs of our students and families, but also anticipates and adapts to future challenges. I bring multiple perspectives to the board as an educator, a parent, and an alum.