Rebecca Acevedo Kenderdine
From Ballotpedia
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Rebecca Acevedo Kenderdine ran for election for an at-large seat of the Colorado Springs School District 11 school board. She lost in the general election on November 2, 2021.
Acevedo Kenderdine completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Rebecca Acevedo Kenderdine was born in Newark, New Jersey. She earned a bachelor's degree from the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico in 1982. Her professional experience includes supervisory experience working with corporate and nonprofit organizations. Acevedo Kenderdine is involved in her local church.[1]
Elections
2021
See also: Colorado Springs School District 11, Colorado, elections (2021)
General election
General election for Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education At-large (3 seats)
The following candidates ran in the general election for Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education At-large on November 2, 2021.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Sandra Bankes (Nonpartisan)  | 20.2 | 24,059 |
| ✔ |  | Lauren Nelson (Nonpartisan) | 20.0 | 23,763 |
| ✔ |  | Julie Ott (Nonpartisan) | 15.1 | 17,987 |
 | Chris Wallis (Nonpartisan) | 14.7 | 17,515 | |
 | Jennifer Williamson (Nonpartisan) | 13.1 | 15,541 | |
 | John Gustafson (Nonpartisan) | 11.3 | 13,449 | |
| Rebecca Acevedo Kenderdine (Nonpartisan) | 5.5 | 6,501 | ||
| Total votes: 118,815 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Joseph Shelton (Nonpartisan)
Campaign themes
2021
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Rebecca Acevedo Kenderdine completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Acevedo Kenderdine's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I was born in Newark, NJ. I attended elementary school and then moved to Puerto Rico where I attended, middle school and high school. I was married to my high school sweet heart who had enlisted in the 82nd Airborne Division in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. He past away there from a training accident. I returned to Puerto Rico in 1978 where I decided to complete my college education. I graduated in 1982 from the Inter=American University with a B.A. in Physical Education all level. I then moved to Texas to pursue my masters degree which due to unforseen circumstances was unalbe to finish.
- Advocate for Students and Teachers/
- Transparency of school district issues.
- Create an environment for tomorrow.
A public policy that I am passionate about would be making sure our district remains independent of state control. I beleive the community should maintain it's rights of advising it's school district on matters of education, students and a future provided to all. Students are not the only ones needing an educational influence. Providing literacy to individuals wanting to pursue a career, but for whatever reasons were unable to should also benefit from the district so that they can become productive citizens of El Paso County.
I truly looked up to John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States of America. Even though I was only 8 years old, I remember many people were sadden to know that his presidency was short lived. He served only 3 years in office. He was a very charismatic and first catholic presendent of the United States of America. One of his famous speeches that I will always keep in mind was, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country". Those words I keep in mind wherever I go.
Elie Wiesel stands out for me that can help with my political, author of the books," Night". A book that shares a personal biography of the political injustice casued by the Nazi's. A book that shared survival, suffering, and racism endured by the hands of the German Nazi political party. I would recommend everyone read a book like this so that they could understand how important and precious the loss of freedom could be.
Honesty, consistency, knowledgeable, caring, transparent, good communicator, professional, and able to create a welcoming environment within the district.
Qualities I possess are teaching skills,, supervisory skills, experience working with profit and non-profit organizationsl. Speak Spanish and English fluently. Can translate from Spanish to English. Ability to collaborate with different personalities and cultures.
Be a good steward of the communities resources, open door policy, ensure that all children are provided with highly academic standards, ensure budgets are managed properly, and that the district has a highly qualified superintendent that is knowledgeable about education.
That I was able to make a difference within the community helping children, teachers and parents attain, provide and move them towards a better and successful future. Helping children become productive citizens within the community.
My first historical event was when the voting age change. I was 15 years old.
My educational background provided me whith a plethora of opportunities. I graduated from Inter-American University in Puerto Rico. I headed out to Texas where I enrolled in Texas Woman's University. Due to unforseen circumstances I found myself needing employment. I was hired by the Shereton Hotel at the Dallas/Fort Worth area. I was hired to worrk as a health club attendant. Some individuals may think that this type of job was not fulfilling, but in reality it was an adventure for me. I worked there until I was hire at the YWCA as a preschool teacher.
I truely enjoy reading books by Dean Koontz. He has written a sereis of Jane Hawk novels that keep you on the edge of your chair. Intense triller that makes you think.
Jane Hawk, in the Novels written by Dean Koontz. She was a fighter and survivor, highly educated and trained government employee who discovered a conspiracy within the FBI.
Fireball by Pitbull
The loss of a love one that can interrupt anyone's life especially when the loss was sudden. This struggle can affect your capacity to function properly and continue working in your chosen field of study.
I believe that the primary job of a school board memeber is to be a good steward of the office they are elected to serve by the people whe voted for them.
My local community comprised of residents, children and teachers.
As a teacher who worked in School disttrict 11 for 14+ years, I have always beleived that teachers should be treated with dignity and respect. During myu 30 years of hands-on experience with children, I've seen the necessity of a sterong academic education. My experience ranges from working with the families of students, providing resources as a Community Liaison and teaching students in Kindergarten through twelfth grade. From translating school newsletters to interpreting for families and advocating for students, I have experience all across district 11 with our multicultural community. I was raised in a multi-racial and muti-cultural family. This has enabled me to understand and work with people of all cultures. Multiculturalism is literally in my DNA. From a student's perspective, I also understand moving into a nfew country. I was born in the United States and moved to Puerto Rico at age twelve. I understand assimilating into new cultures and how to overcome obstacles. I have always used those experiences to empower D11 stutdents. I have had the privilege of calling Colorado home for twenty years, 17 of them in District 11. As a homeowner, I value community and actively participate in my neighborhood and school district. With all these attributes combined, I believe I bring a mjuch-needed voice and perspective to the D11 school board.
I would target children, parents, and teachers as specific stakeholders within the School District 11 community. It is important to communicate with transparency with all members of the broader community.
I do believe it is important to recruit all sorts of staff based on their qualifications and experience. Yes, I believe diversity is important to recruit for district positions especially being of hispanic descent and speaking Spanish and English fluently. Bringing a policy for diversity would take someone propsoing the idea and a discussion for a resolution. This should include all stakeholders on the board, parents and community.
One of the biggest issues facing quality eduation is finding highly qualified teachers. Teachers whom have the best interest of all students and seek to involve parents in their childs' education. Policies exist within the district that follow Colorado Department of Education criteria and procedures for teacher qualification. All teachers would be required to have their Colorado Department of Education teacher license.
Good teaching stems from teeachers using different and updated currculum and teaching styles. All teachers should complete professional develompment training provided by a high institution for learning. Supporting advanced teaching approaches would require a financially established budget within the schools and a well managed budget by the Superintendent. The district has a professional development department made available to those who seek to complete requred CDE(Colorado Department of Education) hours . These requirements are monitored by the Human Resources department together with the professional development departments within the district.
I believe that CTE is the new way for districts to provide Career, Technology and Engineering education for students wanting to be a part of this curriculum. I also believe in vocational training provided by the district for students wanting to pursue training in automotive, carpentry, and other forms of vocational training. At least they would have graduated and perhaps decide in the future to pursue and further their education later in life. I also believe, with the influx of students entering the country know very little English, would be to provide bilingual education for all students.
Bond issues have been the strategy within school districts to properly help fund schools. Many schools are either title I schools that receive funds from the federal and state government. Managing the district budget can be very challenging especially if schools are required to hire a certain number of teachers per student ratio. Maintain fully equipped and safe buildings, provide transportation to students due to school choice or school closures, provide a benefit package that would bring qualified teachers to the district. Being a good steward of the district funds requires a highly creative superintendent that can make informed decisions on any expendintures that are strongly necessary.
Being an informed board member of safety issues is very important. Principles that drive policies would be to make sure all stakeholders are safe within the school environment. It is imprtant for all individulals to make informed decisions and parents to ensure that children are healthy and well cared for. Schools provide breakfast and lunch to all students regardless of economic status, schools charge a small fee for students that are not on Free and reduce breakfast and lunches. Maintaining safety according to local inspections, federal and state inspections are also policies that district would be able to follow.
As a community liaison and then teacher I encountered many students/faculty and staff, who for one reason or another required some sort of counseling. School districts always provide counseling to individuals that are in need. Counseling is provided to teachers and staff through their medical insurance for several visits for free. In the schools the Social Worker would assess a situation with students and conduct home visits to futher complete an assessment of the students, mental, social, physical and emotional development to make an informed decision of how to provide hfelp for the student. Resources are also available from the community, local govenrment and churches.
Technology has been an integral and imprtant tool in and out of the classroom. Students of all social economic backgrounds should be provided with updated technological equipment to help them succeed in and out of the classroom. Most schools have provided their students with laptops, notebooks, and smart phones to help in the classroom. Teachers should also have smartboards to help with instruction. Researching the newest technological devices for districts could be a way to help pepare the district and training teachers on how to use the devices.
Joke or saying in Spanish: Dime con quien andas, y te dire quien eres.
Provide summer school and additional staff for individualized instruction. Use updated appropriate curriculum via technology. Many students had to use technology during the pandemic, if used approriately students could stay up to date with any assiignments provided by the teachers. With some families online learning worked better for them, but for students whom have no parent at home either because the parent is working 12 hour days. Provide tutoring for students either in a school setting or library.
Building relationships with parents is of utmost importance. Without the parent involvement it would be difficult for students to succeed in education. Parental involvement forms a cohesiveness together with shcools, teachers, and the student as a whole. Maintaining an open communication via all methods of technology, open houses, and citiaen participation during board meetings.
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
2021 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 18, 2021
