Sharon Wilhide
Running for school board in Carroll County
Email: sharon@wilhideforeducation.com
Website: www.wilhideforeducation.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/p/Wilhide-for-Education-61587991333034/
How old will you be on Election Day (Nov. 3)?
40
Are you currently employed? If so, where, and what is your job title?
Yes, Baltimore County Public Schools--itinerant teacher for deaf and hard of hearing students
What is the highest level of education that you completed, and where did you get that degree?
Master of Science in deaf education from McDaniel College
Why are you running for the school board?
I am running for the Board of Education as an educator because I believe there should be an educator’s voice on the board. With my experience in special education, I understand the challenges our schools face each day. As a parent of two children in Carroll County Public Schools, I share the same goal as families across our county: to ensure that every child receives the high-quality education our county has long been known for and that our students, educators and community deserve. I believe decisions, particularly those involving curriculum, resources and technology, must be grounded in quality, research-based evidence. Effective leadership also requires transparency, open communication and collaboration. I am committed to listening to and working with parents, educators, community leaders and community members to ensure decisions are thoughtful, informed and made in the best interest of our children. Strong schools are the foundation of a strong community. Families consider the quality of our schools when choosing where to live, and our schools should remain a cornerstone of excellence in Carroll County. Investing in our schools is an investment in our students, families, neighborhoods, property values and local economy. I will advocate for continued investment and ensure our schools have the resources they need to succeed. I will bring the perspective of an educator, the commitment of a parent and a collaborative approach to the board, always keeping our students at the center of the work.
What makes you a good candidate for the board?
As a special educator with 16 years of experience teaching in Maryland and a parent of two young children in Carroll County Public Schools, I bring both an educator’s and a parent’s perspective to the board. As a parent of children with medical needs, I understand firsthand the importance of advocating for children and ensuring their needs are heard and supported. I began my teaching career in Carroll County and have had the opportunity to work in many of our schools. I know our schools, our communities and the people who make them successful—so much so that I don’t need a map to know where our schools are or how to get there! My commitment to Carroll County extends beyond the classroom. I am an active member of my community, volunteering with the Girl Scouts and serving as vice president of my children’s school PTA. I have also represented Carroll County on the Maryland State Steering Committee for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students, working with stakeholders across the state and the Maryland State Department of Education. During my time teaching in Carroll County, I was honored to receive an award from the Carroll County Special Education Community Advisory Committee. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of our schools and a strong commitment to our community. I am invested in ensuring Carroll County Public Schools continue to provide students with the opportunities, support and education they need to thrive.
What is the most important issue facing your school board and what would you do about it if elected?
There are many important issues currently facing our school system, making it difficult to choose just one. However, I believe one of the most consistent and important issues is ensuring our schools are properly funded. We must continually evaluate what truly supports student learning, engagement and growth rather than continuing practices simply because they are familiar or adopting new initiatives because they are new or cost-effective. Our focus should always be on what works best for our students and educators. Fiscal responsibility is important, but sometimes doing what is best for students means looking beyond the bottom line. Our primary responsibility is to provide children with the opportunities, resources and support they need to succeed. Investing in evidence-based practices, supporting our educators and ensuring equitable access to meaningful resources are essential to maintaining the excellence of our schools. I will be a strong and persistent advocate for our schools, working to ensure that funding decisions reflect our priorities and that our students and educators have the resources they need to thrive.
Please name a public leader you admire and explain why.
The public leader I admire most is Fred Rogers. He was not only the beloved television host I grew up watching, but also a passionate advocate for children and education. He modeled the kind of leadership I value: kindness, listening without judgment and leading with humility rather than ego. When Rogers calmly spoke before the U.S. Senate in support of federal funding for public broadcasting, he demonstrated the power of thoughtful, respectful advocacy. He also addressed difficult cultural and social issues with honesty and compassion while encouraging people to “look for the helpers” in times of need. I admire his emphasis on empathy, lifelong learning and treating others with dignity. I believe our schools are strongest when students and adults feel heard, valued and supported—and those are the principles I strive to bring to my own leadership.
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 was created with an important goal: improving the quality of education for every child in Maryland. I support that goal, but I believe successful implementation requires listening to the educators who are responsible for putting these policies into practice every day. Educators are highly trained professionals, and they should be trusted with appropriate autonomy in their classrooms. We should also ensure that educators have meaningful representation on the committees and workgroups making important decisions about our schools. I have concerns about aspects of Blueprint, including the expansion of full-day pre-K and the emphasis on increasing starting teacher salaries. I recognize the value of early intervention and access to high-quality early childhood education, but we must ensure that pre-K remains focused on developmentally appropriate learning rather than becoming primarily a childcare solution. Similarly, increasing starting salaries is important for recruiting teachers, but we must also consider experienced educators and ensure that compensation structures recognize their expertise and years of service. The Blueprint represents a significant investment in Maryland’s students, and I believe its goals are worth pursuing. However, implementation must be financially sustainable, responsive to the needs of individual school systems and informed by the educators closest to the work. I believe the Blueprint should continue to evolve based on evidence, outcomes and input from the communities it serves.
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?
Carroll County consistently maintains a higher overall attendance rate than the state average, along with a higher graduation rate and lower dropout rate. These outcomes reflect the commitment of our students, families, educators and community. The Board of Education recognizes the connection between regular attendance and academic achievement, expecting students to maintain an attendance rate above 96%. Improving attendance requires more than monitoring absences. Schools can help by creating welcoming, supportive environments where students feel connected and want to attend. Clear communication and strong partnerships with families are also essential to understanding and addressing barriers to attendance. Schools should also use attendance data proactively to identify students at risk for chronic absenteeism. Early intervention allows educators and families to address challenges before they become patterns. As a board member, I would support approaches that balance accountability with meaningful support, so every student is able to attend, engage and succeed.
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?
Carroll County Public Schools is currently developing a district policy on AI, but no formal policy is yet in place. Given how quickly AI is becoming part of education, future careers and everyday life, I believe establishing clear and thoughtful guidance should be a priority. A comprehensive policy should address data privacy, academic integrity, responsible use, AI literacy and equitable access to technology. It should also provide clear expectations and support for educators, students and families so AI enhances learning without replacing critical thinking, creativity or meaningful instruction. As the Maryland State Department of Education develops statewide guidance, Carroll County should actively engage in that process while addressing the unique needs of our schools and community. We have an opportunity to be proactive rather than reactive and prepare students to understand and responsibly use AI while protecting their privacy and the integrity of their education.
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?
I believe Carroll County Public Schools can do more to address the growing mental health needs of our students and staff. With a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Towson University and my experience as an educator, I have seen firsthand the increasing challenges our young people face. Supporting mental health is essential to student success. We need greater access to qualified mental health professionals and services across all levels of our schools, as well as safe outlets where students can express themselves, build connections and seek support. We must also recognize that staff well-being matters. More manageable workloads and meaningful support can help educators remain healthy, engaged and effective. Every student and staff member deserves to feel valued, supported and respected. I would advocate for comprehensive mental health support that addresses the needs of the whole school community and create an environment where everyone can thrive.
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?
In general, I do not believe books should be removed from school libraries. Educators and school media specialists are trained professionals who should be trusted to select developmentally and age-appropriate materials that support students’ learning and interests. Libraries also provide equitable access to books for students who may not otherwise have the resources to obtain them. Parents have an important role in determining what is appropriate for their own children, but those decisions should not determine what is available to every student. We should respect parental choice while preserving access to a broad range of appropriate literature. We also need to consider the bigger picture. Students have access to vast amounts of information through school-issued devices and the internet. We should prioritize effective digital safeguards, monitoring and media literacy alongside thoughtful library policies to protect students in both physical and digital learning environments.
