Amy Dodson
Running for school board in Talbot County District 3
Email: amydod1@yahoo.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082718803350
How old will you be on Election Day (Nov. 3)?
51
Are you currently employed? If so, where, and what is your job title?
Yes, national sales director
What is the highest level of education that you completed, and where did you get that degree?
Bachelor's degree, Chowan University
Why are you running for the school board?
As the wife of a 28-year educator and the mother of three students in our school district, I bring both a family perspective and an understanding of the realities facing our schools and classrooms. These experiences have given me valuable insight into the opportunities and challenges that students, families, teachers and staff encounter every day.
My youngest son has Down syndrome, and advocating for him has reinforced the importance of ensuring that every child feels supported, respected and valued. It also inspired me to be a voice for students who may not always be able to advocate for themselves and to serve as a resource for families navigating their educational journey.
My decision to run for the Board of Education was rooted in service. I am committed to helping create an environment where all students can succeed, families feel heard and teachers and staff have the support they need to do their best work. By working together, we can continue to build strong schools and a strong community for every child.
What makes you a good candidate for the board?
I believe I am a strong candidate for the Board of Education because I entered public service with a genuine desire to make a difference for students and families. My decision to run was entirely my own, driven not by outside organizations or special interests, but by a commitment to serving our community. I have made no pledges to any group beyond the oath of office and the responsibilities outlined in the Talbot County Board of Education Handbook.
My motivation to serve began as a parent. Through my experiences navigating individualized education program meetings for my son, I gained firsthand insight into the challenges families may face when advocating for their children. That experience inspired me to ensure that every student has a voice, especially those who may not be able to advocate for themselves. I remain committed to listening, learning and making decisions that put the needs of students first while supporting families, educators and the broader community.
What is the most important issue facing your school board and what would you do about it if elected?
While our school system faces several important challenges, I believe the most important issue is improving student achievement. Every decision made by the Board of Education should support student learning and prepare our children for success after graduation.
While many people focus on Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program scores, student achievement is about more than a single test. It includes helping students build strong reading, math, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills while preparing them for college, careers, military service or the workforce.
Over the past two years, Talbot County has taken meaningful steps to improve outcomes by adopting more rigorous curricula used in high-performing districts such as Anne Arundel and Carroll counties. We have also expanded support for students through "What I Need" (WIN) blocks, tutoring, instructional coaching, push-in specialists and targeted intervention programs.
If elected, I will continue to support proven instructional programs, advocate for resources that help students succeed and ensure we are using data to measure progress and guide decision making. While celebrating areas of growth, we must also carefully review all available data, identify areas where students are struggling and continuously look for opportunities to improve.
I will also continue supporting teachers and staff, because student success begins with well-supported educators. By maintaining high expectations, focusing on results and keeping students at the center of every decision, we can continue creating greater opportunities for every child to reach their full potential.
Please name a public leader you admire and explain why.
While many may know Dolly Parton as an entertainer and philanthropist, I view her as a remarkable leader. She has led with grace, kindness, humility and an unwavering commitment to helping others, especially children. Of her many contributions, the one that inspires me most is the Imagination Library. By providing free books to children, she has helped foster a love of reading and learning for generations of families. It is a simple idea with a profound impact. Parton has shown that leadership is not measured by a title, but by the positive difference we make in the lives of others. Through her generosity, compassion and dedication to serving people, she has provided an enduring example of how to lead with dignity, kindness and purpose.
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, passed by the General Assembly in 2021, is a 10-year plan that includes increased funding to support early childhood education, higher teacher starting pay, college/career-readiness standards for high school graduates, and expanded services to multilingual and impoverished families, among other goals. Since the Blueprint's implementation, test scores have increased modestly in many parts of the state, but some school officials complain about the costs and administrative burdens placed on them by the Blueprint. Please tell us your views on the Blueprint and how it is affecting your school district.
The Blueprint for Maryland's Future is, at its core, a well-intentioned plan designed to strengthen public education. Its goals, including expanding early childhood education, improving teacher compensation, increasing college and career readiness and providing additional support for multilingual and low-income students, address important needs. As state law, it is something we must implement responsibly while advocating for our district's needs. My primary concern is how the funding formula affects smaller school systems like Talbot County. While our community includes some high-income residents, the formula does not always reflect the realities facing our students. More than 65% of our students come from low-income families, yet our district is often viewed as having greater local resources than are actually available. This creates challenges in meeting growing expectations while maintaining the programs and services our students deserve. I also believe we should focus on practical solutions. One idea is increasing opportunities for central office staff to spend time in our schools so they can better understand the day-to-day experiences of students, teachers and staff. Stronger connections between schools and administration lead to better decision making. In addition, I have consistently advocated for hiring a grant writer. Pursuing more competitive grants could help bring additional resources into our district, support educational initiatives and reduce pressure on local taxpayers. By combining responsible implementation of the Blueprint with innovative funding strategies, we can continue supporting students, families, teachers and staff while ensuring long-term success for our schools.
Chronic absenteeism has been a problem in many schools since the Covid-19 pandemic. How big of a problem is absenteeism in your school district, and what if anything can the Board of Education do about it?
Fortunately, chronic absenteeism is not a major challenge in Talbot County, but regular attendance remains essential to student success. Students learn best when they are in the classroom, engaged with their teachers, building relationships with peers and making consistent academic progress.
We also recognize that attendance is often connected to factors outside of school. That is why I am proud of our continued expansion of community schools and other programs that help families access resources such as food, clothing and essential support services. When students' basic needs are met, they are better prepared to learn and succeed.
As board members, our role is to strengthen these supports and ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive. By working collaboratively with families, educators and community partners, we can remove barriers to learning, encourage attendance and help create a positive environment where all students can reach their full potential.
Are you satisfied with your school district's policy on AI use by students? If so, why? If not, what would you suggest to improve the AI policy?
Talbot County recently adopted an AI policy that aligns with state guidelines and provides a strong framework for the responsible use of emerging technology in our schools. As technology continues to evolve, it is important that we regularly review and update the policy to ensure it remains effective, relevant and aligned with best practices. At the same time, we must ensure that students continue to develop critical thinking, problem-solving and foundational academic skills. Technology should not replace learning.
Youth mental health has been a growing concern for years now. Do you think your school district has the resources and personnel in place to deal with this issue adequately? If not, what would you suggest to improve the situation?
Supporting students' mental health and well-being remains a priority for our schools. The Board of Education has consistently advocated for additional counselors, social workers and other support personnel to meet the growing needs of students and families. While these requests are not always fully funded, we continue to work with our county partners to strengthen these services.
I am proud that every school in our district has access to counselors, social workers and therapists who help students navigate academic, social and emotional challenges. These professionals play a vital role in creating safe, supportive learning environments where students can succeed.
As a board member, I believe we must continue investing in student well-being while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. When students have the support they need, they are better prepared to learn, grow and reach their full potential.
Do you think there are circumstances when books should be removed from school libraries? If so, what kind of books should be removed, and who should make those decisions?
Talbot County Public Schools employs qualified media specialists who are trained to select age-appropriate materials that support student learning and intellectual growth. As the parent of three children in our school district, I have confidence in the professionalism and expertise of our library staff. I believe we can support both educational excellence and parental involvement by maintaining open communication, respecting varying viewpoints and keeping the focus on what is best for students. Working together, families and schools can create a positive learning environment that serves all children well.
