Gator Lanphear wants to create a Safe, Equitable, and Inclusive school district that focuses on the learners, educators, staff, and community of the Vashon Island schools.

As an educator, parent, and volunteer, Gator has great knowledge and awareness of the different experiences of educators, staff, and our children.

Experience: Washington State teaching credential in Art and Elementary Education; Masters in Instructional Science and Technology from California State University Monterey Bay; MS in Instructional Science and Technology (MIST), combines the latest pedagogical science and new technologies used in education.; BA – Animation/Film from the Evergreen State College in Olympia; Kindergarten teacher at Chautauqua Elementary; 4th grade teacher Tacoma Public Schools/Sacramento City Unified School District; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee – creating DEI policies for the City of Tacoma.; Educator/Artist – K – 12 for City of Tacoma’s Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability

Public education is the bedrock of our society. As a teacher at Vashon Island High School for thirty-three years, I have seen educational trends come and go, but the core mission to provide high-quality education for all students remains the same.

A perennial challenge is funding, mostly due to how our state allocates money. As the former negotiator for the Vashon Education Association, I am well acquainted with this issue. It is the Board’s duty to be fiscally responsible. This requires careful consideration, intense listening, flexibility, and gathering information from the people affected by the School Board’s decisions.

I recognize that our District faces new challenges due to economic, technological, and social change. I strive to be open minded, without a preconceived agenda, to work hard, and do my best. Should you choose to cast your vote for me, know that I take this responsibility very seriously. Thank you.

Leadership requires difficult decisions. Vashon needs its school board directors to lead with principled and defensible decisions. I will do that. 

We have seen district leadership, with acceptance of the board, operate in an unaccountable manner by sweeping serious issues under the rug, leaving problems deeply unresolved. Misplaced priorities, secrecy, and risk aversion at the expense of our children’s safety and education has fostered a deep mistrust of our institution.  I have experience and leadership skills required to effectuate tangible improvements. Change is needed when inequities, policy violations, or impactful budgetary constraints arise. I can make difficult decisions and recognize when challenging the status quo is needed.   

I’m an experienced manager, labor relations professional, public servant, and mother of two children in the district who is willing to be accountable and transparent in my actions, to represent the interests of, and commitment to, educators, students, and families.

No statement submitted