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CANDIDATE FOR OKEMOS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Tom Buffett
Biography
Tom Buffett moved to Michigan in 2006 and to Okemos in 2013 because of the diversity and reputation of its public schools. Tom has volunteered in schools for many years, serving on the Okemos Music Patrons the past two years, and coaching basketball on and off over the past six years.
Born on the northside of Chicago but raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Tom ventured to California for college (UC Santa Cruz), a graduate degree in public policy (USC), and teaching 6th grade in Pasadena. He then returned to Cambridge and completed his doctorate in education administration and policy at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Since moving to Michigan, Tom has designed and implemented professional support for educators around the state from MSU’s Office of K-12 Outreach, served as principal for the Lewton Global Studies/Spanish Immersion School in Lansing, and consulted with the Michigan Department of Education and other organizations. Now semi-retired, Tom continues to consult with school districts around the state.
Tom has two daughters, Olivia (a sophomore at OHS) and Helena (7th grader at Chippewa). Tom’s wife, Desiree Baolian Qin, is an Associate Professor in Human Development and Family Studies at Michigan State University. Pepper, their lone “son,” is a six-year-old German Shepard/Golden Retriever mix. Tom is running for his first term as Trustee. Please visit tombuffett.com for more information.
Candidate Statement
I am running to serve on the Okemos School Board to build on our tradition of academic excellence, celebration of diversity, and wonderful teaching, and to support the well-being of our students through building community and supporting inclusive learning environments. I want to be on the school board because I believe my experience as a teacher, principal, leadership coach, policy consultant, and provider of professional support can help us realize our highest aspirations for our students, schools, and district.
I believe trust and respect are the foundations for any good relationship and they are earned. As a board member, I commit to making myself available to listen with a full heart and willingness to learn and to keep what is best for students and staff at the forefront of all decisions.
I also believe that students need to be engaged in order to learn. Questions I will ask include: Do all of our students feel listened to, respected, and seen? Do teachers? Do they feel safe and experience agency? Do they experience both being productively challenged and well-supported? Do teachers? As a board member, I will support efforts to 'see' our students in an informed way. This means creating multiple opportunities and pathways for students to identify and express their ideas—about learning, what’s important to them, how to build community, etc. Providing students voice and choice is a key to helping all students engage in their learning and experience community.
Thank you for your interest in my candidacy. If you’d like more information, share your ideas about how to improve our teachers and schools, or support my campaign, please visit tombuffett.com.
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CANDIDATE FOR OKEMOS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Shulawn L. Doxie
Biography
Shulawn Doxie and her family have been residents of the Okemos community since 2015. The Okemos Public School district’s high academic performance and diversity of the student population were key factors for Shulawn and her husband’s decision to move to Okemos. Shulawn’s eldest son is a student at Kinawa and her youngest son is a student at Okemos Public Montessori. Shulawn has been an active volunteer for a number of school activities over the years, including serving as a member of the Okemos Public Schools Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee since 2018. Shulawn understands the importance of viewing policies and procedures through an equity lens to help identify gaps that may affect positive outcomes for students.
Shulawn graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Finance and from Northwood University with a Master of Business Administration. Shulawn is also a fellow of the Michigan Education Policy Fellowship Program.
She has worked as a civil servant for the State of Michigan for over 20 years in various capacities with the Michigan Department of Education and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Shulawn currently serves as Chief of Staff to the Chief Deputy Superintendent of the Michigan Department of Education. Her experience over the years includes reviewing state and federal legislation; managing multimillion-dollar budgets in state and federal funds, and working with community organizations supporting underserved or vulnerable populations.
Candidate Statement
I am a proud parent of two Okemos Public School (OPS) students, passionate about the educational experience of my son’s, and I desire the best for all students. My family’s experience with OPS began in 2015 when my eldest son began PPK at Okemos Public Montessori. I have more than 10 years of federal and state-level educational policy experience and in-depth knowledge of board governance. My commitment to work collaboratively with fellow board members and the superintendent to promote positive outcomes for all students bring value to the Board of Education of Okemos Public Schools. As a board member, I will operate with transparency and I will foster an environment of open communication with community members. My priority is to advocate for equitable and inclusive policies and procedures to address emerging issues affecting Okemos Public Schools around district staffing; student learning loss; supports for our educators and students and transparency in communications around issues that impact the community. My educational and career experiences have prepared me to serve as a positive voice for all children as a Board Member of the Board of Education of Okemos Public Schools.
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CANDIDATE FOR OKEMOS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Mary Gebara
Biography
Mary and her family moved to Okemos in 2010. They have made Okemos their home because it provides their children with a wonderful community and endless possibilities.
Mary holds a BS from Central Michigan University in Business Administration and Psychology, and a MA from Michigan State University in Human Development and Family with a focus in Child Development. Mary previously worked in the healthcare industry as well as investment banking. After moving to Okemos, she changed careers to focus on children, her true passion. While at MSU, she studied autism and inclusion, and curriculum and teachers’ best practices. Mary managed the research program at MSU’s Child Development Labs in East Lansing and Haslett, mentoring undergraduate students, conducting assessments, analyzing and interpreting data, and working with teachers and administration. Mary created and implemented optimal standard practices, protocols, and procedures within each of her positions. Currently, she serves as president of the board, she is a member of the policy committee, and also serves on the Okemos Education Foundation.
Mary and her husband, Rani, have four daughters. Their favorite thing to do as a family is to travel and discover new places.
Candidate Statement
As a candidate for the Okemos Board of Education, I am running for re-election because I believe in Okemos Public Schools. I believe that the children of our community deserve the best possible environment to learn and grow. The safety and mental health of our students and staff has always been at the forefront of my agenda. I strongly believe that a child’s educational experience is not just about curriculum, but that in order for them to flourish they must be in the safest, most inclusive atmosphere possible. We have the most capable and caring staff within our district, and they need our support and the proper tools to best serve our children at their maximum capacity.
My educational background and work experience offer a unique perspective as a board member. I hold a BS in Business Administration and Psychology as well as a MA in Human Development and Family Studies, with a focus in Child Development. My research and work focused on autism and inclusion, as well as teaching best practices and curriculum. These experiences provide me with a well-rounded and multi-faceted approach to our district, but nothing provides me with more of an understanding than my service over the last four years. Serving on the board has been some of the most rewarding work of my life. Being a board member has not only become part of what I do and where I volunteer so much of my time, but it has also become such a meaningful part of my life. I am so proud of our district, the work we have done and the work we will continue to do.
If re-elected, I will continue my commitment to equity and academic excellence. When students feel safe, accepted, and empowered, they not only succeed, they thrive. Together we can make that possible for every child in Okemos!
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CANDIDATE FOR OKEMOS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Liz Luyendyk
Biography
I am a graduate of Colorado State University and spent most of my career in non-profit management. Prior to joining the Okemos Community just over 10 years ago, I worked at United Way of San Diego as a campaign manager and then as Director of New Business Development for United Way of Greater Kansas City. My husband, Jim, took a position at Michigan State University in 2012 and we became an OPS family in 2015, our daughter is an 8th grader at Chippewa Middle School and our son is in 4th grade at Cornell Elementary. I have spent my time at Cornell Elementary not only as an active volunteer but in several elected leadership roles including PTO President for the last 5 academic years. I have expanded my volunteer time to include service on the 2019 Strategic Planning Committee, on multiple hiring committees, District Parent Council and occasionally as “coach”.
Candidate Statement
I am driven by the success of our students and feel strongly that my greatest opportunity to make a positive impact is through service on the School Board. The productive relationships I have developed with parents, students, teachers, and administrators serve to guide my decision to seek election to the Board. As a candidate, I am running on a track record of dedication to our District, particularly Cornell Elementary. I share the focus of many other candidates, including an emphasis on diversity and inclusivity, wellness and mental health for our students and staff, and assuring ample resources to provide a premiere education to our students. My vision for service on the Board includes;
- Advocacy for all individual members of our district
- Contributing to a cohesive board
- Driving tractable and achievable solutions making the largest impact on district-driven priorities
- Assuring full transparency through website maintenance
- Amplifying the positive views of our community
- Setting clear expectations through routine communication
- Establishing achievable and measurable metrics for otherwise lofty goal statements
- Assuring that we can retain and recruit premier educators through sound, long-term budget management
I care about our community. I care about our students. I would be honored to serve our district as a trustee on the Okemos School Board.
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CANDIDATE FOR OKEMOS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Nathan Mahn
Biography
Nathan and his wife moved to the area in 2014, and then Okemos in 2015 in large part due to the excellent reputation of the school district. They arrived with their first child and their family has grown by two more wonderful children, who are currently aged nine, six, and two, including an incredible daughter with special needs.Nathan grew up in the small community of Kaukauna, WI before attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned both his Bachelor's and Master's degree in Electrical Engineering. More importantly, he also met his amazing wife there. After living and working in many interesting places as she pursued her graduate work, they settled in Okemos to raise their family. Nathan currently enjoys the rewarding experience of being a stay-at-home parent to his three beautiful children.Candidate Statement
Looking to the future, I aspire to continue to support my family and also support others through civic engagement and public office as my parenting role shifts from the intensity of toddlerdom to the more thoughtful shepherding of school-aged learners. I have found it incredibly fulfilling to attend school board meetings for the better part of the last two years, speaking up on issues for both myself and others who ask me to speak on their behalf on a range of issues.After seeing the challenges my daughter faced with remote learning, I formed a parent group to advocate for an in-person education option in late 2020. I spoke at school board meetings many times, using evidence and reason to explain my position. When OPS began to offer in-person education in March of 2021, I went through the EduStaff process to become a substitute teacher for the district and published an op-ed in the Lansing State Journal encouraging others to do the same. Prior to that, I also was a member of the Strategic Plan Committee in 2019, offering my perspective on topics such as curriculum and mental health.I believe that the best decisions are made when a diverse set of voices are heard. These voices should be included constructively, and with the goals of reaching a place of understanding and finding solutions. I hope to work with other members of the board to approach each issue with empirical evidence, an eye to best practices, and a commitment to seeking root causes. As an engineer, I know that the first step of adjusting a system is understanding the system, and to correct an issue requires finding its root cause.It's important for elected representatives to be responsive to their community, and to understand that each decision has an effect. While there will sometimes be trade-offs, giving students and families flexibility whenever possible allows them to make the best decisions for their own situations. Decision-making also requires the most accurate and complete information possible, and so transparency and accessible communication are also vitally important for the district to offer to students, families, and community members.Website:
