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Mikah Dyer
From Ballotpedia
This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Mikah Dyer ran for election for an at-large seat of the Peoria Unified School District in Arizona. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Dyer completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Mikah Dyer was born in Peoria, Arizona. Dyer has been affiliated with Civic Engagement Beyond Voting, Secular Arizona, and Save our Schools Arizona.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Peoria Unified School District, Arizona, elections (2024)
General election
General election for Peoria Unified School District, At-large (3 seats)
The following candidates ran in the general election for Peoria Unified School District, At-large on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Becky Proudfit (Nonpartisan) | 19.6 | 51,099 | |
| ✔ | Janelle Bowles (Nonpartisan) | 18.5 | 48,349 | |
| ✔ |  | Jeffrey Tobey (Nonpartisan)  | 18.2 | 47,586 |
 | David Sandoval (Nonpartisan) | 16.6 | 43,222 | |
 | Melissa Girmscheid (Nonpartisan) | 14.6 | 38,126 | |
 | Mikah Dyer (Nonpartisan) | 12.2 | 31,934 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 675 | ||
| Total votes: 260,991 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Dyer in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Mikah Dyer completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Dyer's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Mikah Dyer, a dedicated and forward-thinking advocate for student representation and educational reform, is running for a seat on the Peoria Unified School Board. A product of the Peoria Unified School District himself, Mikah brings a unique perspective to the table as both a current student and an aspiring future educator. His commitment to fostering positive change within the district is a testament to his passion for education, community engagement, and equity.
As a lifelong PUSD student who has navigated the district from kindergarten to graduation, Mikah intimately understands the challenges and opportunities that students encounter on a daily basis. His experience within the district has shaped his belief in the power of student empowerment and representation. Mikah has been an engaged community leader since an early age, serving as the Chair of the Peoria Youth Advisory Board, Youth Liaison for the city council, CEBV-Y PUSD regional coordinator, and the founder of a school club dedicated to promoting civic engagement. These roles have allowed him to forge connections with his peers, community leaders, and educators, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the district's needs and potential.
- Student Empowerment: Mikah envisions a district where students have a direct say in decision-making. He proposes the implementation of Participatory Budgeting, which would grant students a voice in shaping their educational environment by allocating resources to projects that matter most to them. Furthermore, he aims to establish Youth Board Liaisons and High School Advisory Boards to ensure that the perspectives and needs of students are integrated into the policy-making process.
- Education Enhancement: Valuing and retaining educators is paramount to Mikah's vision for the district. He is determined to prioritize Educator Retention by implementing strategies that recognize and reward the invaluable contributions of teachers. Paramount to this effort Mikah will advocate for increased teacher compensation. Additionally, he advocates for a shift away from high-stakes testing, placing a greater emphasis on cultivating high-quality educators who can inspire a love of learning in students. The Peoria Unified School District must continue to foster educational excellence by preserving and expanding our M.E.T professional academy, International Baccalaureate Program, CTE courses and much more throughout the district. Mikah
- Leveling the Playing Field: Mikah is committed to leveling the playing field within the district. He will advocate for equitable funding allocation between northern and southern schools, ensuring that all students have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.
Educational Equity: I am deeply committed to advancing educational equity and ensuring that all students, regardless of their background or circumstances, have equal access to high-quality education and opportunities for success. Teacher Support and Retention: Valuing and retaining educators is essential for maintaining the quality education and fostering positive learning experiences for our students.
Integrity, transparency, accountability, empathy, inclusivity, responsiveness to constituents' needs, willingness to collaborate, commitment to equity and justice.
Advocate for students' interests, ensure equitable education opportunities, oversee district budget and policies, collaborate with stakeholders, address community concerns, uphold educational standards.
"Monster" by Walter Dean Myers profoundly impacted my perspective on societal issues. The book explores themes of alienation, racism, and belonging, which were eye-opening for me, having grown up in a predominantly white middle-class neighborhood. Steve Harmon’s story of alienation and systemic racism in the American judicial system sparked my passion for civic engagement and holistic education. This book inspired me to lead with empathy, understanding, and justice, driving my commitment to creating positive change in my community.
To advocate for students, oversee district policies, allocate resources equitably, engage with the community, and ensure the district's educational goals are met while upholding accountability and transparency.
Students, parents, teachers, staff, administrators, taxpayers, community members, and stakeholders invested in the success of the district's educational outcomes.
By implementing inclusive policies, providing resources for diverse learning styles, fostering cultural competency training, supporting diverse hiring practices, and promoting community engagement and dialogue.
Engage with parent-teacher associations, local businesses, community organizations, faith-based groups, and civic leaders through town halls, forums, and collaborative initiatives.
Good teaching involves inspiring curiosity, adapting to diverse learning needs, fostering a positive classroom culture, and promoting student growth and achievement. It can be measured through student outcomes, feedback, and engagement. By providing professional development opportunities, resources for innovative teaching methods, and collaborative platforms for sharing best practices among educators.
Yes, I believe in expanding career and technical education programs, STEM initiatives, arts education, and offering opportunities for real-world learning experiences through internships and apprenticeships.
Advocate for increased state funding, explore alternative revenue sources, prioritize budget allocations to support student needs, and engage with legislators and community stakeholders to address funding disparities.
Prioritize the physical and emotional well-being of students and staff, implement comprehensive safety protocols, promote positive school climates, and address root causes of violence and bullying through prevention and intervention strategies.
By providing access to mental health resources, counseling services, social-emotional learning programs, training for staff in recognizing and addressing mental health concerns, and fostering a culture of support and empathy within schools.
I would advocate for policies that promote access and engagement, diversity, and inclusion, strengthen student support services, enhance teacher retention, and ensure transparent decision-making processes aligned with the district's educational goals and community needs.
Markus Ceniceros - Littleton Elementary School District Governing Board Member
Arizona National Organization of Women
Run for Something
Moms Demand Action
An inclusive, safe, and supportive environment that fosters critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and respect for diversity, where students feel valued, empowered, and inspired to reach their full potential.
Provide an honest assessment of the district's response, identify areas for improvement in communication, remote learning, and support services, and prioritize planning for future emergencies to ensure resilience and continuity of education.
Regularly communicate updates, solicit feedback, host parent forums, establish parent advisory committees, and attend school events to ensure accessibility and transparency in decision-making processes.
Implement fair and transparent hiring practices, provide professional development opportunities, offer competitive salaries and benefits, and prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in recruitment efforts.
Mikah strongly supports both. Financial transparency ensures taxpayer trust and accountability, while government accountability fosters public confidence and ensures responsible stewardship of resources. Mikah is a proven leader who upholds the highest standards of integrity, holding himself and others accountable for their actions and decisions. He champions innovative approaches to education, seeking new methods and technologies to enhance learning experiences. Dedicated to transparency, Mikah will ensure that all board activities are clear and open to the community.
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.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate Peoria Unified School District, At-large |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 24, 2024
