Jennifer Bishop Courtesy photo/Nashua School District

NASHUA – Board of Education President Jennifer Bishop is seeking another term to tackle the challenge of providing constituents with a succinct definition of public education and how to deliver it to students.

“We are creating a larger rift by either devaluing the academics provided or fearful of innovative ways in which we can enhance access to academics,” she said. “It is important for public dollars to stay with the public education system and for our system to be able to incorporate new practices.”

Bishop also called for “consistency, stability and quality leadership” in the Nashua School District.

“We need to continue to support teachers and students in raising our reading proficiency while also creating opportunities for students to engage in the arts and outdoor play,” she said.

In addition, Bishop suggested creating a citywide Parent Teacher Organization to address school equity.

“We need every student to graduate with quality relationships, feelings of self-worth, career readiness or excitement for their secondary education,” she said. “Our families need to feel supported and listened to and given the opportunity to engage in and with district priorities.”

During her time as Nashua’s top school official, Bishop has worked to bring the board back together.

“I have brought the business back to meetings after a period of time fraught with public worry and differing advocacy for what their children needed academically,” she said. “We are now refocused on forward movement and increasing opportunities for students with a more equitable grading structure that celebrates academic achievement.”

Regarding the current election, Bishop said voters are much more involved than they were in the 2019 race.

“I have had more constituents ask me quality questions than in the last race,” she said. “It’s a great time to be involved in local elections and see the passion, I am grateful for the engagement.”

As for the role of social media, Bishop said it can be particularly challenging when residents personally attack an official rather than the issue at hand. The key, she said, is to find the root cause of the complaints.

“If you can tease out the personal and hear their concerns, you can gain a better understanding of what people think and how much the issue matters to them,” she said. “It can be a useful tool if you are able to read past the negative commentary.”

Bishop has been in the field of social work for more than 20 years and is currently a psychiatric clinical medical social worker at Southern New Hampshire Health. She was also a fellow with the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities at Dartmouth College. Bishop received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in social work from the University of New Hampshire Durham.