Candidate would prioritize early childhood education

From left, candidate for State Board of Education Robin Stevens visits with panelist Larry Eisenmenger following the 2014 High Plains Radio Candidate's Forum at the Bieroc Cafe. (Bruce Baker/McCook Gazette)

McCOOK, Neb. -- State Board of Education District 7 candidate Robin Stevens would like to shift the focus of educators from testing and standardization to early childhood education.

Stevens said he was disappointed educators, including himself during his 40 year tenure, allowed themselves to be focused on testing and standardization instead of early childhood education.

Stevens is a Gothenburg, Nebraska, resident and said he wished he would have done more as an educator and if elected to the State Board of Education it would be his main focus.

"To try to really take charge of students at a later age becomes much more difficult. The earlier we can find opportunities for education, especially education of students who are born into poverty. No fault of their own, probably no fault of their parents. But there is where we need to focus," said Stevens earlier this month during the High Plains Radio Candidate's Forum at the Bieroc Cafe.

Stevens was asked what could be done to attract or retain quality teachers and he responded by stating Nebraska already had the best educators in the world. Stevens said the best thing we could do to keep them was to encourage them, as well as others pondering a career as an educator.

"It's a fantastic profession, gives you an opportunity to make a difference in lives every day," said Stevens.

Stevens said service to the public was the most important thing any of us could accomplish.

"I been an educator for 40 years, I've been a student though for 63 of those years. It's been a great opportunity for me just to be in education and just my opportunity then to give back. Public service is so important," said Stevens.

Stevens reiterated his disappointment with what he described as our education system's fixation on standards and testing.

"I continue to be opposed to, as the state of Nebraska and the state board has been, Common Core and I am for early childhood education."

Stevens hopes to unseat incumbent Molly O'Holleran in the Nov. 4 General Election. O'Holleran did not attend the McCook forum.