JAiME for SCHOOLS begins and ends with kids.
Welcome! I am so glad you came to visit!
This website was created during my run for ISD#833 school board as a way to communicate campaign efforts and stances. On November 2nd 2021, I received 8,239 votes by my community. This was not enough to secure a spot on the board, however since then my desire to improve education has not ceased but rather burns stronger than ever before.
In 2022 this website has changed from “JaimeforSchoolBoard” to “JaimeforSchools” because it is the education of ALL children I care about: public, private and home schooled. I share my journal publicly out of the desire for us to grow together, in understanding and in hope of finding the best school model for our children.
This blog is purely an exploration of my observations. I most certainly do not claim to know everything, but it’s too easy to talk ourselves out of commitment for fear of failure. True failure happens when we are too afraid to take the first step. Without a first step there can never be a second, a third, and a final step. If you are following along with me, thank you for having an open mind to the process.
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About Me
My name is Jaime Kokaisel, and I am the author of JAiME for SCHOOLS. I have called Woodbury, MN my home for over 12 years now (and prior to that, Saint Paul). I grew up in West Saint Paul and Rosemount, MN with my Mom, step-Dad, step-Brother, step-Sister, and half-Sister. I graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 2001 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Illustration.
My husband grew up on the West end of Woodbury in the house his parents still own (near Woodbury Elementary School). We have two children: Layton (16) and Carley (13). They attended the SoWashCo public schools for 10 years, until 2021. They now attend local Christian Private Schools.
I ran for School Board in November, and in January I turned my campaign page into JAiME for SCHOOLS. The articles I write in my Blog represent ALL school options available to families in the South Washington County School District because the need for quality education is growing. My focus is on supporting the development of strong families for the sake of our children and our communities.
I think all stakeholders deserve to be heard. I think all local voices are valuable. I think strong families build strong communities build strong societies, and I think that involves YOU! Here at JAiME for SCHOOLS, I invite you to contribute your VOICE through surveys and an EAR to your neighbor.
Latest from the Blog
“The Power of One”
Social Emotional Learning Long Range Facility Planning Bus Driver Shortages Recorded Workshop Meetings The district is currently talking about many of the issues parents care about. Two weeks ago, four elementary school principals shared how Social Emotional Learning is being wrapped into their 2022-23 school year theme, “The Power of One.” At the same workshopContinue reading ““The Power of One””
Blog in Series “Slave To”
Slave To
INTRODUCTION What does it mean to be a slave? with references to Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass an American Slave. As I reflect on Douglass’ Narrative, I think about the many things we are “Slave To”, not just in BODY but also in MIND and SPIRIT. “Slave to MAN” is about human bondage, captivity and servitude of the BODY. “Slave To SCHOOL” looks at the MIND and the suppression of knowledge. “Slave to DEATH” is a matter of our SPIRIT and the chains of Fear, Sin and Death.
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Slave To MAN
The BODY Captive in Servitude To read The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas is to learn of the evils mankind both endures and inflicts upon it’s own. The idea that so many nations contributed to the organized capture of one race – turning free men, women and children into property – is heartless and barbaric. It ‘s not just a systemic AMERICAN problem though. It’s a worldwide HUMAN problem. Mankind has enslaved itself as far back as we have records to prove, and yet modern American culture is fixated on a mere 300 years, with itself at the center.
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Slave To SCHOOL
PART 3 The MIND Captive in Servitude. Today, it can feel like the minds of our children are being compromised in American public school education. The very system which was said to represent all, seems to represent very few. Those who claim to unite us are dividing us. Even DEI policy, which was written and passed by the school board to promote inclusion, 6 months later, has quietly excluded an entire town of diverse students from their plan. The systems who claim to represent our children, are merely representing their own pocket books. Federal and State Governments … Teachers’ Unions and School Districts … Public Libraries … Dictionaries … Activists.
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Slave To DEATH
THE SOUL Captive in Servitude. If death is inevitable, does that mean death owns us? I want to consider, just for a moment, the possibility that ultimate slavery comes NOT from our fellow human being, but from an internal spiritual enemy. What do we do when DEATH enters school in the form of a school shooting? …or FEAR enters school in the form of a virus? … or SIN enters school in the form of a false teacher? The one who puts their faith in the spiritual world will answer these questions differently than the one who puts their faith in the earthly world.
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All Schools BOOK LIST
2021-2022
CLICK HERE
Please help fill in the list by emailing Jaime the books you or your kids were assigned to read this school year.
Community SURVEY
Please participate in a private survey by contacting JAiME for the SURVEY of your choosing. Your experience and insight is valuable in helping to guide the articles I write. I will always contact you for permission before publishing any content you provide.
All School BOOK LIST by grade level
SURVEY
OPEN
Please participate. See the results of this Survey by viewing the list (in process) HERE
SoWashCo FACILITY PLANNING
SURVEY
OPEN
Please participate
SoWashCo public school TEACHER
SURVEY
OPEN
Please participate
HOME SCHOOL parent and student
SURVEY
OPEN
Please participate
SoWashCo PARAPROFESSIONAL
SURVEY
OPEN
Please participate
PRIVATE SCHOOL parent and student
SURVEY
OPEN
Please participate
SoWashCo SPANISH IMMERSION
SURVEY
COMPLETE
See the results of this Survey by viewing the articles they inspired, “Spainish Immersion: Meet Equity” and “Spanish Immersion: is So Much More.“
(Will remain open to anyone interested)
From this past 2021 School Board Campaign
I am running for ISD 833 School Board because Education is top priority. I believe we are at a critical point with special interest groups seeking to replace our district’s educational excellence with divisive partisan policy.
Our publicly funded schools and non-partisan culture of learning is critical to overall trust and district-wide unity. With funding shortfalls, program cuts, increasing class sizes, declining student proficiency, and personal freedoms under attack, now is the time for new and creative ideas to work toward better solutions.
If elected I will:
- Work to restore TRUST in district leadership.
- Bring TRANSPARENCY to district policy, process, and financing.
- Be ACCOUNTABLE for students’ consistent and measured success.
- Offer COMMON-SENSE policies that are compatible with student life.
- Listen RESPECTFULLY to opinions of students, parents, and teachers.
“The task of the modern day educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts.”
C.S. Lewis
I believe in the children of South Washington County.
After talking with the community over the last few months, I have been inspired by dedicated parents excited to tell their stories. There are many voices who want to be heard, and I am listening to every word.
News.
JAiME for School Board
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2021
JAiME for SCHOOLS 