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 … Keep Reading
Latest from the Blog
OCTOBER calendar
South Washington County, MN Your CITY and DISTRICT meetings with website tabs for finding TIME and LOCATION. October Meetings Beginning this month, the school district has scheduled listening sessions for SoWashCo residents to weigh in on the very important topic of facility planning. If you can’t make one in October, they continue into November asContinue reading “OCTOBER calendar”
Blog Feature Articles
18 months Awake
A Round-up of my thoughts after the Panel Discussion How much can one person change in just 18 months? Consider a newborns growth in it’s first 18 months of life, and THAT is the kind of growth I am talking about! To be “18 months Awake” is like being born…
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Molding the Claymation Teacher
The Minnesota Licensing Standards of Governor Tim Walz and his appointed PELSB With resignation after resignation by SoWashCo teachers over the last two years … are Mold-a-Teacher License Standards really what the voters of Minnesota want? Puppet teachers and a new social dialect? Do you want perpetual pessimism, Minnesota? Do…
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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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Public Comment: April
SoWashCo School Board Meeting Video On April 21st, 2022 the School Board voted 6 to 1 to approve the $462 million Facility Plan, which will close Newport Elementary School. I think Public Comment is the most revealing part of a School Board Meeting. Policy might appear perfect written on a page and graphed out in fancy charts, but it’s imperfections are revealed in the voice of a community gathering together to oppose it. Getting up in front of a large room of people can be VERY difficult. Speaking about an issue that is near to your heart, welcomed by some and unwelcomed by others, takes courage! I wish all voices could be heard on the official livestream, but since the district does not make Public Comment available to the actual “Public”, please take a moment to listen to them here…
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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
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.
Please participate in a private survey by submitting your request below. Your experience and insight is valuable. 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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CAMPAIGN
2021
JAiME for SCHOOLS 