Elizabeth Andersen
Elizabeth Andersen was a member of the Duval County School Board in Florida, representing District 2. She assumed office in 2019. She left office on November 22, 2022.
Andersen ran for re-election to the Duval County School Board to represent District 2 in Florida. She lost in the primary on August 23, 2022.
Biography
Elizabeth Andersen earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida in 2005 and a master's degree in mental health counseling from the University of North Florida in 2011. Her professional experience includes working as a teacher and a children's mental health counselor.[1]
Elections
2022
See also: Duval County Public Schools, Florida, elections (2022)
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Duval County Public Schools Board of Education District 2
April Carney won election outright against incumbent Elizabeth Andersen in the primary for Duval County Public Schools Board of Education District 2 on August 23, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | April Carney (Nonpartisan) | 52.4 | 16,356 | |
 | Elizabeth Andersen (Nonpartisan) | 47.6 | 14,841 | |
| Total votes: 31,197 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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2018
General election
General election for Duval County Public Schools Board of Education District 2
Elizabeth Andersen defeated Nick Howland in the general election for Duval County Public Schools Board of Education District 2 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Elizabeth Andersen (Nonpartisan) | 58.3 | 29,023 |
 | Nick Howland (Nonpartisan) | 41.7 | 20,787 | |
| Total votes: 49,810 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Duval County Public Schools Board of Education District 2
Nick Howland and Elizabeth Andersen defeated Shannon Beckham, Sam Hall, and Casey Ayers in the primary for Duval County Public Schools Board of Education District 2 on August 28, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Nick Howland (Nonpartisan) | 30.9 | 6,778 |
| ✔ | | Elizabeth Andersen (Nonpartisan) | 22.0 | 4,823 |
| Shannon Beckham (Nonpartisan) | 19.5 | 4,275 | ||
| Sam Hall (Nonpartisan) | 18.5 | 4,051 | ||
| Casey Ayers (Nonpartisan) | 9.0 | 1,982 | ||
| Total votes: 21,909 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Elizabeth Andersen did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Elizabeth Andersen completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Andersen's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
School Safety and a healthy learning environment Whole Child growth and achievement Thoughtful Budgeting
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I am passionate about tending to the social and emotional needs of our children in order to improve their holistic growth.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
The most important characteristics for an elected official are integrity, honesty, and conviction.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I have spent the last several years in our schools working for a nonprofit as a community based mental health counselor all over the district and partnering with local, state, and federal organizations to develop programs to meet the needs of children and families. Before becoming a counselor, I was a teacher in DCPS, so I understand what it's like to be in the classroom as a faculty member and employee of our DCPS schools.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
A DCPS school board member should be an advocate for children and teachers and work collaboratively with the superintendent to ensure that policies and procedures are selected and implemented with their best interest in mind. A Board member is also responsible for interpreting state legislation in order to guide policies and decisions and be ready and willing to stand up for our schools and children when necessary. Finally a Board member should be active in the community and engaged in the schools they represent.
What legacy would you like to leave?
I would like to help propel Duval County to an 'A' school District. I believe that by tending to our children's social and emotional needs, and providing our teachers with training and the supports that they need to guide and educate our students, we can reduce school violence and discipline infractions, remove nonacademic barriers to achievement, and establish a model program leading the state of Florida.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
The first historical even I can recall was the fall of the Berlin wall.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. I remember making crafts and jewelry to sell in middle and high school, but my first 'real' job was working in retail- I was hired just before turning 17 and worked through my senior year before heading off to the University of Florida.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
My favorite holiday is thanksgiving. I love getting together with family and friends, reminiscing about the year and old memories, and enjoying a good meal.
What is your favorite book? Why?
I love books. I can't pick a favorite.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My favorite thing in my home are the annual photo books I have created since my husband and I got married. They are our Andersen Family year books, and I treasure these memories.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
The last song that got stuck in my head was "bringing home a baby bumblebee" My son LOVES this song and we sing it at least 10 times per day. I always make sure to clarify that if he actually kills a bee, this mommy will not be so proud- we need our bees :)
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
Balancing my ambition with patience. Learning to trust that the 'right' time will reveal itself and being ready to seize the opportunities that come my way.
What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?
A DCPS school board member should be an advocate for children and teachers and work collaboratively with the superintendent to ensure that policies and procedures are selected and implemented with their best interest in mind. A Board member is also responsible for interpreting state legislation in order to guide policies and decisions and be ready and willing to stand up for our schools and children when necessary. Finally a Board member should be active in the community and engaged in the schools they represent.
Who are your constituents?
My constituents are hardworking, fun loving, people that have made the biggest small town their home. They are beach goers, townies, and Jags and Shrimp fans. They have diverse backgrounds but share their love for the First Coast and they want was is best for their kids and their communities so that we can all continue to prosper with a healthy and happy future here in Duval.
How would you support the diverse needs of your district’s students, faculty, staff, and community?
My work has brought me to nearly half of the schools in the district working with students, parents, teachers, and staff. I am well aware of the diverse needs across our county and I will make sure that these needs are not forgotten. I will also listen as needs change and evolve to make sure that we are meeting those needs for every child, in every class, at every school, everyday.
How will you build relationships with members of the broader community? Which groups, organizations, stakeholders will you specifically target?
In my work community based nonprofit work, I have been able to build relationships with and make connections with many local, state, and federal organizations across town that are already working with children and families. I believe that we can foster partnerships with these programs in order to use the broad scope of talent that these groups bring. I will also work to partner with business associations and local business owners increase and improve their relationships with schools- we are one Duval team and must work together for our kids and for our future.
What will you do to build a better relationship with parents in the district? What plans do you have to be inclusive of parental involvement?
In order to build a relationship with parents, I plan to have regular 'school hall' meetings where we can gather and I can hear their needs and priorities. I also plan to attend our schools local PTA and SAC meetings. I would like to create an online network for parents to connect with me, their schools, and each other.
Do you believe it is important to intentionally recruit with the aim of diversifying the district’s faculty, staff, and administration? If so, what would be your policy to achieve this?
I believe we must recruit the most talented and passionate teachers we can find. Teachers that want to impact the lives of children and understand that their growth and achievement is more than data points and dollar signs. I want to recruit teachers that want to inspire our future.
What issues get in the way of quality education? How would you address these obstacles?
I believe that there are a few issues that get in the way of quality education. 1. School culture and climate- we need to create classroom and school environments that are inclusive, empathic, and optimistic; a place where children feel welcome, heard, and safe. 2. Peer pressure and social distractions- we need to address violence, bullying, social media habits, anxiety, and depression with direct instruction and an integrated curriculum that seeks to address and educate young people about these issues. 3. Student and teacher retention- when children lack consistency in their educational environment it is difficult to establish comfort and a sense of efficacy regarding their surroundings and the adults they must trust and respect, when they are changing schools often, sometimes multiple times in 1 year, they develop a mistrust of the educational system and feelings of chronic stress and self doubt. Additionally, our teachers struggle with the same issues when they are moving from school to school which negatively impacts their ability to connect with and inspire their students. Low wages, a lack of support, and having their needs go unheard also leads to low morale and high turnover for teachers. 4. High stakes testing- our educational system is set up by state and federal government to punish children for low performance on standardized tests and our teachers and schools are measured based on these failures; this leads to enormous stress and anxiety at every level which takes the fun out learning and growing. If we must work within these requirements, we need to talk openly about the structure of high stakes testing and develop a realistic message about our goals and expectations, we need to help our students and teachers manage these expectations and cope with anxiety so that they are able to demonstrate their growth and abilities with confidence.
What constitutes good teaching? How will you measure this? How will you support advanced teaching approaches?
The best teachers inspire students to learn and provide safe and respectful environments where children can grow academically but also socially and emotionally. They are aware of the needs of the Whole child and sensitive to external forces that impact a child's readiness and ability to learn. They are in communication with parents and guardians, as well as school support staff, to help meet the needs of every child. They are flexible and willing to adapt to changes in their schools and classroom that are in the best interest of children. They engage with administration and colleagues to voice ideas and work toward success for all and positive school climate.
What type of skills should students be learning for success in the 21st century?
I believe that our schools need to spend more time focusing on the foundation of learning and cognitive abilities- social and emotional skills. As someone with significant experience in child development, I know that these skill are the basis for which all other learning occurs. If the children in our schools can demonstrate, self awareness, self regulation, social awareness, positive relationships skills, and responsible decision making, then I believe we will see an improvement in children's academic growth and learning, a preparedness for a successful career, and ultimately produce citizens engaged in community and civic involvement.
In what areas would you like to expand curriculum? For example, do you see a need for advanced technical training or apprenticeships? What sort of innovative programming would you advance if given the opportunity?
If given the opportunity, I would like to see an increased focus on whole child growth and a realignment of our priorities toward improving school culture and climate from a district level. Implementing a focused curriculum and integrated concepts regarding social and emotional learning and mental health will help benefit our children and future generations as well as our teachers and communities.
What strategies or plans would you advance to ensure the schools are properly funded?
We need to look closely at budgetary impacts before making any agreements or approving spending. We need to be calculating long term costs and weighing priorities. Budget items that are flexible need to reevaluated for value added, and only spending that is in the best interest of student outcomes should be prioritized. Making cuts must very strategic and may require a plan for if/when/how to reinstate or reinvest in quality programs and policies. Additionally, we need to improve our relationships with community stakeholders and local organizations to partner together to meet our children's needs. We do not need to should the burden of responsibility for every facet of children's programming. As someone with a background in nonprofit work, I know that combing our resources and skills sets can be more efficient and more effective, and I know that there are a variety of organizations ready and willing to work together with our schools to meet the needs of our children.
What principles drive your policies for safety in schools?
Given the recent events in schools across America, the need to protect our children and foster a safe learning environment must be a top priority. To me, the most important components of school safety are safe shelter, a sense of security, and healthy students, staff, and communities. Safe shelter and a sense of security are among the foundational needs for all people. As of early 2018, nearly half of our Duval County Schools were lacking some necessary security facility upgrades and we must seek to address these critical issues. It is not acceptable for our children to be expected to thrive on unsecured campuses or learn in classrooms that are too hot, too cold, leaking or have other environmental issues. Given the importance of school safety and the risk of losing our children’s education opportunities to unsafe and failing facilities, seeking to advance these projects on an aggressive timeline is both necessary and prudent to ensure our children's opportunity to succeed. Furthermore, in addition to the armed sworn officers assigned to each of our middle and high schools, Duval County will be employing an armed School Safety Assistant at every elementary school in the 2018/19 school year. These professionals are required to have 144 hours of training compared to the 700 hours required by a sworn police officer. It’s is a priority for me that these professionals continue to receive professional development and that appropriate standards for ongoing training and performance are established and monitored closely for the well-being of our elementary students. Beyond these security measures, we must begin to address our children’s sense of belonging and inclusion. In an age where we are more distanced from human connection than ever by technology, our public schools need to do more to care for and nurture social and emotional learning and connectedness. I fear that overlooking this foundational need will continue to keep our children at risk for anxiety, depression, and violence. Many of the tragedies playing out across our country are a result of people who are mentally unstable and hurting, because hurt people, hurt people. According to the 2017 Youth Behavior Risk Survey, teens in Duval County report a 24% increase in depression since 2013. This is significantly higher than state averages and presents a clear picture that we must invest more effort in nurturing the Whole Child, and we must educate our staff to do this. As we moved forward, improving a focus on increasing training for teachers on identifying and handling children struggling with emotional and behavioral issues, as well as integrating social emotional learning into our curriculum, will begin to address some of the root issues that lead to safety concerns and serve to propel DCPS as leader for our state.
How might you support the mental health needs of students/faculty/staff?
I have a specific plan for addressing our children's mental health needs. 1. Social emotional learning curriculum in all schools. 2. Suicide prevention and mental health first aide training for students and staff 3. Development of wrap-around team that can quickly intervene when a student appears to be in trouble 4. Increased awareness and focused efforts on reducing the stigmas surrounding mental health 5. Improved behavior plans and supports for students with emotional and behavioral problems instead of suspension and expulsion.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Ballotpedia biographical submission form
The candidate completed Ballotpedia's biographical information submission form:
| “ | To learn more about me visit: http://www.andersenforduvalschoolboard.com[2] | ” |
| —Elizabeth Andersen[1] | ||
See also
2022 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Duval County Public Schools Board of Education District 2 |
Footnotes
