Journal & Topics Media Group

District 214 Candidate’s Questionnaire: Andrea Rauch


Eight candidates split between two slates are running for four, four-year terms on the Arlington Heights-based Township High School Dist. 214 Board of Education. Ahead of the upcoming April 6 consolidated election, the eight candidates were asked to fill out a questionnaire supplied by Journal & Topics Media Group. As of Monday, March 15, six of the candidates had responded to our inquiries.

Name: Andrea L. Rauch

Age: 43

Town: Arlington Heights

Occupation: Scientist

How long you have lived in the district: 3 years

Involvement in schools: As parents of two boys, my husband and I volunteer and support all their activities and engage in the school community.

Why you are running: I believe the future of this country is dependent upon the success of the next generation and understand this success begins with a strong community and a solid education. I was fortunate to have a supportive family and strong educational community who helped prepare me for the real world. I would like to share that same support with the students, staff, and community of District 214.

What particular skills or experiences qualify you to serve as a board member: My father passed away when I was very young. My mother, while raising me by herself and working full time, made it a priority to be aware and involved in my academics and extracurricular activities. She taught me through hard work and determination I could achieve whatever I sought. With the influence of my grandparents, I learned that if my achievements were attained with integrity, I would appreciate them. Hard work, dedication, and integrity are the skills I bring with me into everything I do including parenting. These skills, an appreciation for my education, and a passion to support others as I have been supported, are the qualities I would use to assist me in serving as a board member in District 214.

How much time are you willing to devote to the position of board member: I believe in the position of board member and understand the impact this position has on the community. I am willing to devote whatever time it takes to help District 214 continue to achieve excellence.

Two to three district needs that the board should address, and why you view them as needs: Equity and community engagement are two needs I think the board should continue to address. Our district is comprised of over 12,000 students each with a different story but all with individual skills and talents. I believe every student should be accepted for who they are and have the opportunity to recognize their potential without discrimination. Continuing the district’s Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan is an excellent opportunity for addressing equity. Additionally, engaging more with the entire community could facilitate addressing equity concerns. An example of this is when students from Elk Grove approached a senator about an act to provide library cards for low-income students.

Your reflections on a year of hybrid/remote/in-person learning: In-person school is the way we were most familiar with approaching education, the way our educators were taught to teach, and how our students have come to know learning. Education encompasses academic, physical, emotional, and social learning needs and being in-person facilitates addressing all of these needs. For this reason, I am inspired by the forward-thinking and dedication of the educators, staff, and administration in District 214. This district was more prepared than most for the events which occurred during this pandemic. At the onset of the pandemic, students were already equipped with electronic equipment which facilitated remote learning. Student Services quickly acted to address the needs of Life Skills students who were in vocational programs by developing new programs. As time progressed and it became evident that remote learning would need to continue to be offered, district staff went beyond others and developed a fully flexible learning plan. This plan not only provided families the option to be in-person or remote but provided a new schedule allowing students to balance classwork better and offered additional office hours with teachers. Additionally, staff recognized that all students did not have the capability for remote learning and worked to install hot spots throughout the district. When plans changed due to the evolving guidelines and the school year started fully remote, District 214 did not throw in the towel. Instead, the staff took extra time to develop Zoom relationships with students so they would be inspired to be committed, learned new online tools to motivate students, distributed food, performed more than double the wellness checks, and addressed the needs of all families who requested help. As learning shifted to hybrid, educators and staff were responsive and supportive. Now when most students will be returning to full in-person learning, though resembling normalcy, educators and staff are preparing to address more social and emotional needs while filling learning gaps. It is the dedication of the District 214 educators, staff and administration to help students whether hybrid, remote, or in-person that I reflect on over this last year.

Identify a way the district can improve transparency and openness with the public: I believe by increasing consistent communication the district can improve transparency and openness with the public. Personally, as a parent, routine weekly or monthly updates from the school principal or group leader increase my understanding and confidence about the services and education my child is receiving.

Your hopes for District 214: My hope is that students who graduate from District 214 can return in 5, 10, 15+ years and attribute their future successes to their dedicated educators and positive experiences in district. I would like students to be proud of where they go to school not only because of the academic excellence it provides but because of the impact it has on the community, a place they will want to return to.

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