Following her recent retirement from a 48-year career with Monroe County Schools, where she worked as a teacher, principal and ultimately superintendent, Theresa Axford is running for the District 1 school board seat against incumbent Darren Horan.
“I want to continue working for our children. My commitment to this community remains as strong as it was when I first arrived in 1976,” Axford said in a press release formally announcing her campaign.
“In a district as unique as the Florida Keys, there is no substitute for my experience in the day-to-day operations of our schools,” she said. “My candidacy is rooted in the belief that to effectively oversee the education of thousands, one must understand every layer of the system. In my tenure as superintendent, we navigated the unprecedented challenges of a global pandemic while hitting major milestones. We successfully doubled our rainy-day savings to $28 million. We secured millions in state and federal funding to move forward with vital teacher housing projects on Trumbo Road and a new district headquarters on United Street. With the help of our local legislators, I have spent many hours learning how to navigate Tallahassee’s legislative sessions to secure the resources our schools deserve. On the school board, I will use that experience to ensure these initiatives are not just maintained, but completed,” Axford said.
She added her belief that students have innovative ideas and a right to be heard.
“Student voices must guide our innovation moving forward,” she said. “Our youth are the primary stakeholders in our system, and they possess unique insights into the modern classroom.”
Axford said she is running on a platform that brings students into the decision-making process regarding curriculum and instruction.
“Education should be a collaborative process, not a top-down mandate,” she said. “I am advocating for: formalized student advisory roles in curriculum discussions; direct feedback loops regarding the effectiveness of new instructional technologies; ensuring our delivery methods reflect the diverse needs of today’s demands.
“My goal is to blend the proven strategies that have made us a top-performing district with a forward-thinking approach that empowers our students,”Axford said. I am asking for your support to bring a lifetime of experience and a renewed focus on student-centered leadership to the school district. Together, we can honor our history while boldly embracing the voices of our future.”
Each of the five school board members represents a district, or region, of the Florida Keys, but they are elected by all voters in Monroe County. School board members earn an annual salary of about $38,600.
