Candidate: Supna Jain

Tell us about your high school experience. What clubs or activities were you involved in? 

I am so grateful for the high school experience I had. It was a time when I participated in various activities to learn more about myself, and engaged in regular conversations with diverse individuals to learn more about the experiences of others. In general, it was a time where my view of the world widened and my understanding of myself and my interests deepened. Some of the memorable clubs and activities I was involved in include: Marching Band (one of the first females to play the snare drum), Orchesis, Student Body Vice-President, Student Senate – class representative, Pom Pon, Debate Club, Speech Team, Key Club, Track, National Honors Society, International Club, and C.A.P.T.A.I.N.S. (drug/alcohol awareness – leadership club).

As of March 5, Metea had the highest number of positive COVID-19 cases in the school district. How would you help reduce the transmission and keep students safe?

As board members, our primary responsibility is to ensure our students and staff members are safe. As the fourth largest district in the state, it is important that we adhere to safety protocols while ensuring our students receive a high-quality public education. To accomplish this, I will continue to follow the guidelines set forth by the CDC, Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the DuPage County Health Department. I will listen to stakeholders including administrators, teachers, students, and parents, to understand the issues at hand and the solutions offered. Now that the ISBE issued new guidelines reducing social distancing to three feet, we, as a district and community, will need to continue to do our part by washing our hands regularly, wearing masks at all times, keeping a social distance of three feet, and opening windows/doors to circulate the air in buildings.

There has been discussion in the district about culturally responsive pedagogy. What steps should the district take to achieve equitable outcomes for all of its students?

The hiring of Jennifer Rowe at a cabinet-level position (Executive Director of Educational Equity) and the recent adoption of the Equity statement are signs we are moving in the right direction to achieve equity in education. The board must support Ms. Rowe with the resources she needs to scale her programs across the district. First, the board must provide ongoing training in implicit bias and culturally responsive pedagogy to teachers and staff members. I personally have benefitted from attending such training programs and have implemented new strategies in my own teaching to be more inclusive. Second, the board should re-examine the K-12 curriculum to be more inclusive by including nontraditional or “hidden” stories. As someone who studies and teaches intercultural communication, this is something I am aware will require effort and commitment from the leaders of the district. Students have a right to learn a more inclusive and accurate perspective of the world, and the district has a duty to provide that. Lastly, the district must make a concerted effort to hire and retain educators/staff members that reflect the diversity of our district. Although challenging, these measures will ensure students feel included in our system and will prepare them to thrive in an increasingly diverse world.

What are the district’s biggest strengths and the biggest weaknesses?

I believe the biggest strength of the district is the high-quality academic, arts, special needs, and athletic programs it offers, along with the highly qualified teachers it employs. District 204 continues to set the bar in academic excellence at both the high school and middle school levels. The second strength is the diversity of the district. I am absolutely thrilled that my two sons get to interact with students, who come from different backgrounds. I believe a classroom of diverse individuals allows for robust classroom conversations, which helps prepare students for an increasingly diverse world. I believe the weaknesses in the district can be attributed to the lean budget it operates on. If we had a larger budget, we could do more to enhance our current programs (i.e. arts, STEM, special needs). We could pay our teachers more and hire more administrators to run our district. We could hire more teachers, reduce class sizes, and offer more field trips to our students (possibly study abroad opportunities). Irrespective of my wish list, I am proud of what we are able to accomplish with such a lean budget. We stretch the value of each dollar spent and are able to provide a high-quality education to the students. 

What is your vision for high school students?

My vision for high school students is for them to explore subjects and activities as much as they can to learn more about themself and others. The goal of high school is to prepare students for the post-graduate world, whether that be vocational school or attending college. Being independent and making decisions that serve your interest while uplifting others can be difficult. High school helps you prepare for that transition into adulthood and gives you the tools needed to be independent and a critical thinker. It is a wonderful time to explore, learn, make mistakes, and try things again.

What makes you different from all the other candidates?

I believe my roles as a parent, educator, and community advocate provide me with a unique perspective that can add value to board discussions and decisions. My educational background includes a J.D. (DePaul University, College of Law), an M.S. in Communication (Illinois State University), and a B.A. in Political Science and Communication (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign). As a parent of two boys, I understand the challenges many students and parents face on a regular basis. As a Professor in the Communication department at North Central College, the Director of the Speaking Center, Indian dance instructor at the Naperville Park District, and communication consultant, I understand deeply the issues teachers, students, and administrators face. I believe it is beneficial to have a board member that understands the dynamics of a classroom and has regular contact with students. As a community advocate, I interact with community members on a regular basis to stay connected and understand the issues many members face. I am the Founder/Artistic Director of a nonprofit organization, Aavegh (www.aavegh.org), which uses dance as a medium to raise awareness on social issues. I am also a member of PTAs and PDAC and volunteer regularly as a room parent, mystery reader, etc. I am civic-minded and attend community events held by Naperville Neighbors United, Naper Settlement, and cultural organizations to stay connected with community members. I continue to listen to City Council meetings, County meetings, and local representatives to understand the issues our communities face today. At North Central College, I am a Title IX hearing officer and decision-maker, and a member of teaching groups that strive to incorporate inclusive teaching practices. To be a member of the Board of Education would be a natural extension of how I currently choose to spend my time. I hope to earn your vote! Vote Supna Jain, #8 on the ballot, on/before April 6, 2021.