As a child, I often found myself in spaces where every adult was greeted with warmth and attention, while I stood quietly off to the side — secondary, unnoticed, a fifth wheel in grown-up conversations. I remember thinking, “I guess kids just aren’t talked to the same way as adults.” That quiet realization stuck with me.

But not every adult made me feel that way. One vivid memory stands apart: my Aunt Carlie, kneeling down to my eye level, greeting me with a warmth so sincere that I felt like I truly mattered — like I was just as important as everyone else in the room. That moment has never left me.

It’s that same belief — that every child should be seen, heard, and valued — that lies at the heart of why I’m running for school board.

I am uniquely equipped to serve in this capacity because I’ve spent 5½ years in the classroom as an elementary school teacher. I’ve seen firsthand the incredible potential of our students—and the challenges that stand in their way. I understand the nuances of education not just from a policy perspective, but from lived, daily experience: guiding students, partnering with families, pouring into the next generation, and doing everything possible to help young minds thrive.

It’s no secret to anyone paying attention that our educational system is in desperate need of meaningful change. Teachers are overwhelmed and under-resourced. Meaningful education suffers from interruptions. The core fundamentals of education — literacy, critical thinking, mathematics — often take a back seat to standardized testing and overstretched curriculums. And the result? Students graduating into the world without the tools they need to meet life’s inevitable challenges.

This isn’t just a professional concern for me — it’s a personal one. Our children deserve better. Our teachers deserve better. And our community deserves leaders who will advocate with clarity, compassion, and courage.

If elected to the Redmond School Board, I will work to bridge the gap between families and the educational system. Schools were never meant to replace the vital role of parenting — they are meant to complement and support it. When educators and parents stand hand in hand, united in the mission of guiding and empowering our children, the possibilities for growth are limitless.

I will advocate for transparency at every level — curriculum, policy decisions, budgeting — so that parents can feel confident and informed about the education their children are receiving. Trust is built through openness, and I believe our district is strongest when it operates with clarity, integrity, and collaboration.

Fiscal responsibility is of critical importance as we navigate the complex waters of budgeting decisions. Every dollar spent should reflect the values, priorities, and real needs of Oregon’s students. We must ensure that our resources are directed where they matter most — into classrooms, into support for teachers, and into programs that genuinely prepare our kids for the future.

I’m running for school board because I believe in a future where every student is seen, every teacher is supported, and every parent is empowered to be a true partner in education. With your support, we can bring fresh perspective, practical experience, and heartfelt commitment to the table—because our children deserve nothing less.

As C.S. Lewis stated so eloquently, “Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work.”

Please vote for Joelle Beget in the May 20 election, and I boldly encourage you to spread the word. Please visit my website at joellebeget.com to learn more.

—  Joelle Beget is a candidate for Position 3 on the Redmond School Board.