TANYA CHAMBERS Tanya Chambers, candidate for Place 6 on the Port Aransas ISD Board of Trustees, has released the following statement.

“My name is Tanya Chambers. I am running for Place 6 on the school board. I am 47 years old and have lived in Port Aransas for nine years. I am employed at Island Images Salon. I have a son named Chase who is in ninth grade..

“My son was in first grade when we moved here, and has attended all three campuses at PAISD. The foremost reason I am qualified for this position is that I am a mom. I am motivated by the fact that I want the best possible education for my son. I moved to Port Aransas from Arlington so that my son could get a good education; I researched and found that Port Aransas was a great school district. I also wanted to be in a youth-oriented community.

“ I am very youth oriented and have been involved in many youth activities such as volunteering at Olsen Elementary, a member of Helping Hands, Little League and substitute teaching at all campuses. I was manager at The Crazy Cajun Restaurant for four years where I employed middle and high school students. I have been a Relay for Life Team captain of an all youth team for three years. I am president of the Booster Club. I am a member of First Baptist Church, and have gone to youth camp with the teenagers.

“I also have volunteered with youth plays and musicals at the theater.

“I am running for this position because I am a mom who is concerned about the next three years of my son’s education. I am a very positive and motivated person. I believe I will be an asset to the board and bring to them my knowledge of my experience with the youth of this community. My main goal is to see that children of all ages get the best possible education, chance and opportunity, whether it be in academics alone or through our outstanding sports program. We need leaders and good role models for our children. I would like to see better relationships between campuses and more of a ‘team’ atmosphere. I believe that transparency is vital to the board, and that parents, teachers and kids know that the school board has their best interests at heart. Port Aransas is a small community and I believe we are like a family, and I am very glad to be a part of this family. I believe in our school system and I would like to represent the youth of this town. I have a very good relationship with the youth, faculty and parents.

“I would like to be on the board so that the kids see that there is someone they know and trust to stand up for what is in their best interests.

“I am a team player, but I will also stand up for what I believe in. We have some outstanding teachers, aides and principals in our school district.

“I would like to see less turnover; I believe that stability over time creates consistency and trust in our students.

“We need to continually praise our teachers and staff for all their hard work, and thankless hours spent before, during and after school.The teachers in Port Aransas need our support and we should take every opportunity to let them know what a great job they are doing. I also believe that the kids need to be praised for their hard work and efforts. “We sometimes let opportunities pass by to praise a child and its very important for them to know that we are all on their side.

“I want the opportunity to give back to this community that has been so good to my son and me. I want to make a difference, if allowed, to continue making good decisions and keeping our kids the main focus. I believe a lot of time is wasted on ‘red tape’ and paperwork that doesn’t matter with our campus leaders. Time that could be better spent mentoring or teaching a child.

“I will do the best I can do and that is keeping our kids the main focus.”