Hello everyone! My name is Madge Davis-Persing, and I am running for Punxsutawney Area School Board. First of all, I’d like to tell you a little bit about myself. I have lived most of my life in Punxsutawney, and graduated from Punxsy. As an adult, I raised two boys in our beautiful community. First and foremost, my boys were raised in a Christian home. As their Christian mother, I worked every day at teaching my boys what’s most important in life: to value all people, no matter who they are and where they’ve come from, to be honest, kind, loving, respectful, trustworthy, hardworking, and to also respect other people’s values, and opinions.
Why am I running for school board? Well, my entire life has been about working with children of all ages and being a part of anything that benefits children. Even as an elementary school student I tutored struggling students. Before becoming a teacher, when my boys were young, I volunteered at preschool, coached Rec Ball, and was a PTO President. I taught Sunday school, was the Head Youth Group Leader at our church. I could give you many more examples as well. Then, finally I became a teacher to fulfill this passion inside of me. After twenty-five plus years of teaching, I retired in 2020. But, I feel in my heart and soul that my work is not done yet, that I can make a difference for our schools, for our students, because I truly do love all children and want what’s best for all of them.
Having me, a retired teacher, as a school board member would greatly benefit our school district, because sometimes, particularly in education, what sounds like an amazing plan for our district on paper just doesn’t work in the classrooms. Only a teacher would know this.
Another benefit to having me, a retired teacher, as a school board member is that the same skills needed to be a successful teacher are necessary to be a successful school board member. Both positions need to love all children, be able to work with others, have good analytical skills, be good communicators, have patience, be good listeners, be willing to see other’s points of view, be respectful to others, know how the school system works, just to name a few. My goal as a school board member is to ensure every one of our students receive the best possible education, based on sound principles and implemented by loving and caring educators.
So, vote for me so that we can give our children the best education possible.