Lauren Jewett

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Lauren Jewett completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Jewett's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-360065-2026-02-16\" id=\"heading-bio-360065-2026-02-16\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-360065-2026-02-16\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-360065-2026-02-16\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-360065-2026-02-16\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-360065-2026-02-16\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am a nationally Board Certified special education teacher who has spent more than 17 years serving students and families across Louisiana. Working directly with students with disabilities, I've seen firsthand how government decisions affect classrooms, households, and communities — and what happens when leaders fail to show up for the people who need them most.\r\n<p>Throughout my career, I have been a tireless advocate for inclusive education, strong public schools, and the resources families need to succeed. As a teacher and union member of United Teachers of New Orleans, I understand the responsibility that comes with public service: when someone needs support, you don’t walk away — you show up.\r\n</p><p>I'm running for Congress because I believe that same responsibility should guide our government. I'm committed to fighting for environmental protections, defending constitutional rights, strengthening economic security, and expanding access to quality, affordable health care in Louisiana’s 1st Congressional District, one of the most vulnerable and overlooked regions in the state.\r\n</p>\nI bring the values of service, accountability, and fairness to my campaign, and I'm ready to show up every day for the people of my district.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-360065-2026-02-16\" id=\"heading-key-message-360065-2026-02-16\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-360065-2026-02-16\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-360065-2026-02-16\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-360065-2026-02-16\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-360065-2026-02-16\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>As a special education teacher, I know firsthand the importance of a quality education. Louisiana's schools rank near the bottom nationally with a D+ grade. Nearly one in four students doesn't graduate from high school, and teachers are underpaid at $54,000, below the national average. School funding has stagnated while our students fall further behind.\r\nWe need to increase school funding and pay teachers what they're worth. We must expand pre-K programs and special education services that give every child a strong start. We should invest in both job training and college prep so students have multiple paths to success. Every child deserves the chance to compete and thrive in tomorrow's economy.</li><li>I will fight for accessible and affordable healthcare — Too many Louisiana families can't find a doctor when they need one. We're facing a severe doctor shortage while nearly half our neighbors rely on Medicaid or have no insurance at all. Rural hospitals are struggling to keep their doors open, with 25% at risk of closing.\r\nHealthcare shouldn't be a luxury. Every family deserves access to quality care without going bankrupt. We need to expand funding for community health centers, incentivize doctors to practice in Louisiana, and protect Medicaid so working families can see a doctor when they're sick.</li><li>I will fight to secure federal funding for Louisiana's coastal master plan, hold oil companies accountable for environmental damage through litigation, and invest in storm surge protection infrastructure — protecting our communities, property values, and way of life for future generations.\r\n\r\nLouisiana is losing its coast at an alarming rate — about 25–35 square miles of wetlands every year, an area roughly the size of Delaware since the 1930s. Communities in Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard parishes face rising flood risks, with some areas expected to see up to 2 feet of sea-level rise by 2050.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-360065-2026-02-16\" id=\"heading1-360065-2026-02-16\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-360065-2026-02-16\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-360065-2026-02-16\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-360065-2026-02-16\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-360065-2026-02-16\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tHealthcare, education, environment, and disability policy\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-360065-2026-02-16\" id=\"heading2-360065-2026-02-16\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-360065-2026-02-16\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-360065-2026-02-16\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-360065-2026-02-16\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-360065-2026-02-16\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tCenter for Freethought Equality, Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence Action\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> 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.</i></p></div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Lauren Jewett completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Jewett's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-202094-2023-08-24\" id=\"heading-bio-202094-2023-08-24\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-202094-2023-08-24\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-202094-2023-08-24\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-202094-2023-08-24\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-202094-2023-08-24\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tLauren is running for BESE because she is somebody who understands and relates to the beauty and complexities of teaching and learning. Lauren Jewett is a National Board Certified elementary special education teacher, advocate, union member, and community volunteer with extensive experience in education, mentoring, policy work, and non-profit and civic organizations. She in her fourteenth year of teaching special education and has worked in schools in St. John the Baptist Parish and Orleans Parish where she has been an active teachers’ union member. Lauren is a Mentor Teacher in the state of Louisiana and during her career in education, she has served as a special education administrator and coordinator. She was a 2019 ASCD Emerging Leader and 2019-2020 Understood Teacher Fellow, and she has written articles for ASCD’s In-Service blog, Understood.Org, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards blog “The Standard,” and the U.S. Department of Education \"Homeroom.\" She is a K-12 public school graduate, holds a BA in history and political science with a minor in American Sign Language from the University of Rochester, and holds a MA in English Literature from the Middlebury College Bread Loaf School of English where she is an involved member of the Bread Loaf Teacher Network. \r\n\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-202094-2023-08-24\" id=\"heading-key-message-202094-2023-08-24\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-202094-2023-08-24\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-202094-2023-08-24\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-202094-2023-08-24\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-202094-2023-08-24\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Fight for Public Transparency and Accountability: I believe that an effective BESE member will work with our community members to generate solutions. I have also developed skills for understanding how to uphold state and federal special education laws. The public must be given authentic opportunities to be part of our education system and to specifically understand the way money is spent and managed, the way contracts are agreed upon, and the way BESE's decisions and our state legislature's education policies impact children, educators, and families.</li><li>Prioritize Achievement, Safety, and Equity for All Children: As an educator, I believe we must ensure that our children's literacy levels are proficient and that graduation rates reflect authentic and meaningful coursework completion. I also believe that preparing our students to interact with our ever-changing world in curious, courageous, and empathetic ways is imperative. I will stand strong in efforts to ensure BESE embraces and enacts policies that affirm, value, and honor the contributions and identities of all of our students &amp; their communities. Students should also feel physically and emotionally safe while at school, and I will work to address these needs if elected as a BESE member.</li><li>Advocate for Teacher &amp; School Staff Quality and Salary Increases: Part of BESE's vision statement is that \"families and individuals from across the nation are attracted to the state.\" We cannot create a state worth living in unless our education system is robust and that starts with having qualified, trained, and well-compensated teachers and school staff in our schools. As a BESE member, I will advocate for increased and competitive pay for teachers and school staff, specifically ensuring that this year's education funding is secured into next year’s MFP (minimum foundation program), the funding mechanism for Louisiana K-12 education. I will also work to ensure standards for holistic evaluation protocols.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-202094-2023-08-24\" id=\"heading1-202094-2023-08-24\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-202094-2023-08-24\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-202094-2023-08-24\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-202094-2023-08-24\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-202094-2023-08-24\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tLauren is passionate about equity for all students and addressing mental health and wellness supports for students and teachers. As a career special education teacher, she is interested in improving the education of students with disabilities and students who identify as neurodivergent, and also advocacy around sustainable working conditions for educators and a quality, well-trained, and well-supported teaching force. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-202094-2023-08-24\" id=\"heading2-202094-2023-08-24\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-202094-2023-08-24\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-202094-2023-08-24\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-202094-2023-08-24\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-202094-2023-08-24\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tLouisiana Democratic Party/Democratic State Central Committee<br/>\r\nIndependent Women's Organization (IWO) of Greater New Orleans\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> 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.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nLauren Jewett completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Jewett's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. I am a nationally Board Certified special education teacher who has spent more than 17 years serving students and families across Louisiana. Working directly with students with disabilities, I've seen firsthand how government decisions affect classrooms, households, and communities — and what happens when leaders fail to show up for the people who need them most. Throughout my career, I have been a tireless advocate for inclusive education, strong public schools, and the resources families need to succeed. As a teacher and union member of United Teachers of New Orleans, I understand the responsibility that comes with public service: when someone needs support, you don’t walk away — you show up. I'm running for Congress because I believe that same responsibility should guide our government. I'm committed to fighting for environmental protections, defending constitutional rights, strengthening economic security, and expanding access to quality, affordable health care in Louisiana’s 1st Congressional District, one of the most vulnerable and overlooked regions in the state. I bring the values of service, accountability, and fairness to my campaign, and I'm ready to show up every day for the people of my district. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? As a special education teacher, I know firsthand the importance of a quality education. Louisiana's schools rank near the bottom nationally with a D+ grade. Nearly one in four students doesn't graduate from high school, and teachers are underpaid at $54,000, below the national average. School funding has stagnated while our students fall further behind.\r\nWe need to increase school funding and pay teachers what they're worth. We must expand pre-K programs and special education services that give every child a strong start. We should invest in both job training and college prep so students have multiple paths to success. Every child deserves the chance to compete and thrive in tomorrow's economy. I will fight for accessible and affordable healthcare — Too many Louisiana families can't find a doctor when they need one. We're facing a severe doctor shortage while nearly half our neighbors rely on Medicaid or have no insurance at all. Rural hospitals are struggling to keep their doors open, with 25% at risk of closing.\r\nHealthcare shouldn't be a luxury. Every family deserves access to quality care without going bankrupt. We need to expand funding for community health centers, incentivize doctors to practice in Louisiana, and protect Medicaid so working families can see a doctor when they're sick. I will fight to secure federal funding for Louisiana's coastal master plan, hold oil companies accountable for environmental damage through litigation, and invest in storm surge protection infrastructure — protecting our communities, property values, and way of life for future generations.\r\n\r\nLouisiana is losing its coast at an alarming rate — about 25–35 square miles of wetlands every year, an area roughly the size of Delaware since the 1930s. Communities in Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard parishes face rising flood risks, with some areas expected to see up to 2 feet of sea-level rise by 2050. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Healthcare, education, environment, and disability policy What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign? Center for Freethought Equality, Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence Action\nNote: 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.\n\n\nLauren Jewett completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Jewett's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. Lauren is running for BESE because she is somebody who understands and relates to the beauty and complexities of teaching and learning. Lauren Jewett is a National Board Certified elementary special education teacher, advocate, union member, and community volunteer with extensive experience in education, mentoring, policy work, and non-profit and civic organizations. She in her fourteenth year of teaching special education and has worked in schools in St. John the Baptist Parish and Orleans Parish where she has been an active teachers’ union member. Lauren is a Mentor Teacher in the state of Louisiana and during her career in education, she has served as a special education administrator and coordinator. She was a 2019 ASCD Emerging Leader and 2019-2020 Understood Teacher Fellow, and she has written articles for ASCD’s In-Service blog, Understood.Org, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards blog “The Standard,” and the U.S. Department of Education \"Homeroom.\" She is a K-12 public school graduate, holds a BA in history and political science with a minor in American Sign Language from the University of Rochester, and holds a MA in English Literature from the Middlebury College Bread Loaf School of English where she is an involved member of the Bread Loaf Teacher Network. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Fight for Public Transparency and Accountability: I believe that an effective BESE member will work with our community members to generate solutions. I have also developed skills for understanding how to uphold state and federal special education laws. The public must be given authentic opportunities to be part of our education system and to specifically understand the way money is spent and managed, the way contracts are agreed upon, and the way BESE's decisions and our state legislature's education policies impact children, educators, and families. Prioritize Achievement, Safety, and Equity for All Children: As an educator, I believe we must ensure that our children's literacy levels are proficient and that graduation rates reflect authentic and meaningful coursework completion. I also believe that preparing our students to interact with our ever-changing world in curious, courageous, and empathetic ways is imperative. I will stand strong in efforts to ensure BESE embraces and enacts policies that affirm, value, and honor the contributions and identities of all of our students & their communities. Students should also feel physically and emotionally safe while at school, and I will work to address these needs if elected as a BESE member. Advocate for Teacher & School Staff Quality and Salary Increases: Part of BESE's vision statement is that \"families and individuals from across the nation are attracted to the state.\" We cannot create a state worth living in unless our education system is robust and that starts with having qualified, trained, and well-compensated teachers and school staff in our schools. As a BESE member, I will advocate for increased and competitive pay for teachers and school staff, specifically ensuring that this year's education funding is secured into next year’s MFP (minimum foundation program), the funding mechanism for Louisiana K-12 education. I will also work to ensure standards for holistic evaluation protocols. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Lauren is passionate about equity for all students and addressing mental health and wellness supports for students and teachers. As a career special education teacher, she is interested in improving the education of students with disabilities and students who identify as neurodivergent, and also advocacy around sustainable working conditions for educators and a quality, well-trained, and well-supported teaching force. What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign? Louisiana Democratic Party/Democratic State Central Committee Independent Women's Organization (IWO) of Greater New Orleans\nNote: 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."}, {"question": "Campaign website", "answer_html": "<p>Jewett's campaign website stated the following:\n</p>\n<div style=\"height:400px;overflow:scroll;border:1px solid gray;margin:20px;padding:10px;\">\n<table data-nosnippet=\"\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: none;background-color: transparent; auto; ;\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td style=\"border:none; color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 10px 3px;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"20\">“\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; padding: 4px 10px;\" valign=\"top\">\n<p><b>Advocating For The Schools Our Students Deserve</b>\n</p><p>As a school board candidate, my campaign is focused on making decisions using a whole-child, whole-teacher, and whole-leader approach. This means shifting our \"conversation about education from a focus on narrowly defined academic achievement to one that promotes the long term development and success of children\" as well as the adults that support them (ASCD). We advocate for the schools our students deserve by ensuring that students, teachers, and support staff in each school and each community feel healthy, safe, affirmed, valued, engaged, supported, and challenged. Below is more detailed information about the issues and priorities I focused on in my platform as a candidate for BESE, District 1. \n</p>\n<ol><li><u><b>Fight for Public Transparency and Accountability:</b> </u>Throughout my career as a special education teacher, I have developed a passion and skill set around building strong collaborative partnerships with teachers, school support staff, administrators, students, families, and caregivers in my school community. Cultivating empathetic relationships with my students' IEP teams has taught me the importance of consensus and listening. I believe that an effective BESE member does not have all of the solutions to every problem or issue that surfaces and that it is important to listen to and work with our community members to generate solutions. I have also developed skills for understanding how to uphold state and federal special education laws. The public must be given authentic opportunities to be part of our education system and to specifically understand the way money is spent and managed, the way contracts are agreed upon, and the way BESE's decisions and our state legislature's education policies impact children, educators, and families. To that end, I support democratic structures that allow for public testimony during board meetings, consistent lines of communication between BESE and the public, and clear oversight. BESE is stronger when we listen and take into account everyone's input on important votes and matters.</li>\n<li><u><b>Prioritize Achievement, Safety, and Equity for All Children:</b></u> BESE states that its philosophy is that \"every child is valued and every child will learn, and the future of the state and its quality of life depends on an educated citizenry.\" As an educator, I believe we must ensure that our children's literacy levels are proficient and that graduation rates reflect authentic and meaningful coursework completion. I also believe that preparing our students to interact with our ever-changing world in curious, courageous, and empathetic ways is imperative. I will stand strong in efforts to ensure BESE embraces and enacts policies that affirm, uplift, value, and honor the contributions and identities of all of our students, their communities, and their cultures. Students should also feel physically and emotionally safe while at school, and I will work to address these needs if elected as a BESE member.</li>\n<li><u><b>Advocate for Teacher &amp; School Staff Quality and Salary Increases:</b></u> Like many school districts across the U.S., school districts in Louisiana are currently facing classroom teacher and school staff vacancies and shortages. Louisiana's educational professionals often contemplate leaving their job because of low pay and stressful working conditions. Part of BESE's vision statement is that \"families and individuals from across the nation are attracted to the state.\" We cannot create a state worth living in unless our education system is robust and that starts with having qualified, trained, and well-compensated teachers and school staff in our schools. Over the past few years, Louisiana has passed teacher and school staff pay raises. However, we have consistently trailed behind the educator pay raises that other neighboring states have passed. This past legislative session, the legislature voted to pay educators one-time stipends rather than permanent pay raises. As a school board member, I will advocate for increased and competitive pay for teachers and school staff, specifically ensuring that this year's education funding is secured into next year’s MFP (minimum foundation program), the funding mechanism for Louisiana K-12 education. I will also work to ensure there are standards in place to create holistic evaluation protocols as well as fair and sustainable working conditions that treat our educators with professionalism and dignity.</li>\n<li><u><b>Protect Public Education:</b></u> I believe it is important that options exist in our education system, however it is important that the public good of public education remain a viable choice for our students, families, and communities. Additionally, we must ensure that any educational choice offered in our state is subject to the same laws and regulations that apply to public schools. There needs to be appropriate oversight of the academic and financial functioning of schools such as charters and private schools that receive public funding (i.e. vouchers), and such schools should not create economic disparities and inequitable academic outcomes for students, families, and our communities.</li>\n<li><u><b>Support Mental Health of Students, Teachers, and School Staff:</b></u> Student achievement and learning progress are big priorities, but they must be addressed alongside the mental and emotional health of students and teachers. Our students and educators have continued to push through extraordinary and uncertain circumstances both with COVID and hurricanes as well as witness events in our constantly evolving world. I will advocate for proper and adequate resources so that our school systems can address and respond to trauma and facilitate ongoing healing. This means more emphasis on anti-bullying and social skills initiatives, more social workers and guidance counselors in schools, more wrap-around supports, sustainable workloads for our educators, and supports that address families' needs.<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-quotedisclaimer_4-0\"><a href=\"#cite_note-quotedisclaimer-4\">[4]</a></sup></li></ol>\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; color: #B2B7F2; font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right; padding: 10px 1px;\" valign=\"bottom\" width=\"20\">”\n</td></tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"cquotecite\" colspan=\"3\" style=\"border: none; padding-right: 4%\"><cite style=\"font-style: normal;font-size: smaller; float: right;\">—Lauren Jewett's campaign website (2023)<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-5\"><a href=\"#cite_note-5\">[5]</a></sup></cite>\n</td></tr></tbody></table>\n</div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Lauren Jewett completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Jewett's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-149317-2022-09-09\" id=\"heading-bio-149317-2022-09-09\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-149317-2022-09-09\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-149317-2022-09-09\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-149317-2022-09-09\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-149317-2022-09-09\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tLauren Jewett is a National Board Certified elementary special education teacher, advocate, union member, and community volunteer with extensive experience in education, mentoring, policy work, and non-profit and civic organizations. She in her fourteenth year of teaching special education and has worked in schools in St. John the Baptist Parish and Orleans Parish where she has been an active teachers’ union member. Lauren is a Mentor Teacher in the state of Louisiana and during her career in education, she has served as a special education administrator and coordinator. She was a 2019 ASCD Emerging Leader and 2019-2020 Understood Teacher Fellow, and she has written articles for ASCD’s In-Service blog, Understood.Org, and National Board for Professional Teaching Standards blog “The Standard.” She is a K-12 public school graduate and holds a BA in history and political science with a minor in American Sign Language from the University of Rochester. She is currently pursuing an MA in English from the Middlebury College Bread Loaf School of English where she is an involved member of the Bread Loaf Teacher Network.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-149317-2022-09-09\" id=\"heading-key-message-149317-2022-09-09\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-149317-2022-09-09\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-149317-2022-09-09\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-149317-2022-09-09\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-149317-2022-09-09\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Mental Health of Students, Teachers, and School Staff: Student achievement and learning progress are big priorities, but they must be addressed alongside the mental and emotional health of students and teachers. Our students and educators have continued to push through extraordinary and uncertain circumstances both with COVID and Hurricane Ida as well as witness events in our constantly evolving world. I will advocate for proper and adequate resources such as more wrap-around supports and social workers/guidance counselors so that our schools can address and respond to trauma and facilitate ongoing healing.</li><li>Safe, Innovative, and Well-Maintained School Facilities: The environment our students learn in and our educators and school staff work in is vital to academic success, emotional wellness, and professional safety. I will advocate as a school board member to ensure policies are brought forth to ensure school buildings and facilities in Jefferson Parish Schools are safe, well-maintained, and up-to-date and that issues that arise are communicated with transparency, urgency, and empathy.</li><li>Staff Retention and Recruitment: Like many school districts in different parts of Louisiana and the U.S., Jefferson Parish Public Schools are currently facing classroom teacher, paraprofessional/PSRP, and leader vacancies and shortages. This directly impacts our students- it can affect their academic achievement, their behavior, their well-being, and their success. Attrition of school employees is related to pay, but it also related other issues such as burnout, lack of autonomy and professional respect, and not having the proper educational materials/resources.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-149317-2022-09-09\" id=\"heading1-149317-2022-09-09\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-149317-2022-09-09\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-149317-2022-09-09\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-149317-2022-09-09\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-149317-2022-09-09\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tLauren is passionate about equity for all students and addressing mental health and wellness supports for students and teachers. As a career special education teacher, she is interested in improving the education of students with disabilities and students who identify as neurodivergent, and also advocacy around sustainable working conditions for educators. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> 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.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "Jewett's campaign website stated the following:\n“ Advocating For The Schools Our Students Deserve As a school board candidate, my campaign is focused on making decisions using a whole-child, whole-teacher, and whole-leader approach. This means shifting our \"conversation about education from a focus on narrowly defined academic achievement to one that promotes the long term development and success of children\" as well as the adults that support them (ASCD). We advocate for the schools our students deserve by ensuring that students, teachers, and support staff in each school and each community feel healthy, safe, affirmed, valued, engaged, supported, and challenged. Below is more detailed information about the issues and priorities I focused on in my platform as a candidate for BESE, District 1. Fight for Public Transparency and Accountability: Throughout my career as a special education teacher, I have developed a passion and skill set around building strong collaborative partnerships with teachers, school support staff, administrators, students, families, and caregivers in my school community. Cultivating empathetic relationships with my students' IEP teams has taught me the importance of consensus and listening. I believe that an effective BESE member does not have all of the solutions to every problem or issue that surfaces and that it is important to listen to and work with our community members to generate solutions. I have also developed skills for understanding how to uphold state and federal special education laws. The public must be given authentic opportunities to be part of our education system and to specifically understand the way money is spent and managed, the way contracts are agreed upon, and the way BESE's decisions and our state legislature's education policies impact children, educators, and families. To that end, I support democratic structures that allow for public testimony during board meetings, consistent lines of communication between BESE and the public, and clear oversight. BESE is stronger when we listen and take into account everyone's input on important votes and matters. Prioritize Achievement, Safety, and Equity for All Children: BESE states that its philosophy is that \"every child is valued and every child will learn, and the future of the state and its quality of life depends on an educated citizenry.\" As an educator, I believe we must ensure that our children's literacy levels are proficient and that graduation rates reflect authentic and meaningful coursework completion. I also believe that preparing our students to interact with our ever-changing world in curious, courageous, and empathetic ways is imperative. I will stand strong in efforts to ensure BESE embraces and enacts policies that affirm, uplift, value, and honor the contributions and identities of all of our students, their communities, and their cultures. Students should also feel physically and emotionally safe while at school, and I will work to address these needs if elected as a BESE member. Advocate for Teacher & School Staff Quality and Salary Increases: Like many school districts across the U.S., school districts in Louisiana are currently facing classroom teacher and school staff vacancies and shortages. Louisiana's educational professionals often contemplate leaving their job because of low pay and stressful working conditions. Part of BESE's vision statement is that \"families and individuals from across the nation are attracted to the state.\" We cannot create a state worth living in unless our education system is robust and that starts with having qualified, trained, and well-compensated teachers and school staff in our schools. Over the past few years, Louisiana has passed teacher and school staff pay raises. However, we have consistently trailed behind the educator pay raises that other neighboring states have passed. This past legislative session, the legislature voted to pay educators one-time stipends rather than permanent pay raises. As a school board member, I will advocate for increased and competitive pay for teachers and school staff, specifically ensuring that this year's education funding is secured into next year’s MFP (minimum foundation program), the funding mechanism for Louisiana K-12 education. I will also work to ensure there are standards in place to create holistic evaluation protocols as well as fair and sustainable working conditions that treat our educators with professionalism and dignity. Protect Public Education: I believe it is important that options exist in our education system, however it is important that the public good of public education remain a viable choice for our students, families, and communities. Additionally, we must ensure that any educational choice offered in our state is subject to the same laws and regulations that apply to public schools. There needs to be appropriate oversight of the academic and financial functioning of schools such as charters and private schools that receive public funding (i.e. vouchers), and such schools should not create economic disparities and inequitable academic outcomes for students, families, and our communities. Support Mental Health of Students, Teachers, and School Staff: Student achievement and learning progress are big priorities, but they must be addressed alongside the mental and emotional health of students and teachers. Our students and educators have continued to push through extraordinary and uncertain circumstances both with COVID and hurricanes as well as witness events in our constantly evolving world. I will advocate for proper and adequate resources so that our school systems can address and respond to trauma and facilitate ongoing healing. This means more emphasis on anti-bullying and social skills initiatives, more social workers and guidance counselors in schools, more wrap-around supports, sustainable workloads for our educators, and supports that address families' needs. [4] ” —Lauren Jewett's campaign website (2023) [5]\n\n\nLauren Jewett completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Jewett's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. Lauren Jewett is a National Board Certified elementary special education teacher, advocate, union member, and community volunteer with extensive experience in education, mentoring, policy work, and non-profit and civic organizations. She in her fourteenth year of teaching special education and has worked in schools in St. John the Baptist Parish and Orleans Parish where she has been an active teachers’ union member. Lauren is a Mentor Teacher in the state of Louisiana and during her career in education, she has served as a special education administrator and coordinator. She was a 2019 ASCD Emerging Leader and 2019-2020 Understood Teacher Fellow, and she has written articles for ASCD’s In-Service blog, Understood.Org, and National Board for Professional Teaching Standards blog “The Standard.” She is a K-12 public school graduate and holds a BA in history and political science with a minor in American Sign Language from the University of Rochester. She is currently pursuing an MA in English from the Middlebury College Bread Loaf School of English where she is an involved member of the Bread Loaf Teacher Network. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Mental Health of Students, Teachers, and School Staff: Student achievement and learning progress are big priorities, but they must be addressed alongside the mental and emotional health of students and teachers. Our students and educators have continued to push through extraordinary and uncertain circumstances both with COVID and Hurricane Ida as well as witness events in our constantly evolving world. I will advocate for proper and adequate resources such as more wrap-around supports and social workers/guidance counselors so that our schools can address and respond to trauma and facilitate ongoing healing. Safe, Innovative, and Well-Maintained School Facilities: The environment our students learn in and our educators and school staff work in is vital to academic success, emotional wellness, and professional safety. I will advocate as a school board member to ensure policies are brought forth to ensure school buildings and facilities in Jefferson Parish Schools are safe, well-maintained, and up-to-date and that issues that arise are communicated with transparency, urgency, and empathy. Staff Retention and Recruitment: Like many school districts in different parts of Louisiana and the U.S., Jefferson Parish Public Schools are currently facing classroom teacher, paraprofessional/PSRP, and leader vacancies and shortages. This directly impacts our students- it can affect their academic achievement, their behavior, their well-being, and their success. Attrition of school employees is related to pay, but it also related other issues such as burnout, lack of autonomy and professional respect, and not having the proper educational materials/resources. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Lauren is passionate about equity for all students and addressing mental health and wellness supports for students and teachers. As a career special education teacher, she is interested in improving the education of students with disabilities and students who identify as neurodivergent, and also advocacy around sustainable working conditions for educators.\nNote: 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."}]