About Me
My name is Nancy Baker Curtis
I am a native Iowan, growing up in Minburn. It was in seventh grade when I learned my school district was being dissolved due to low enrollment and high operating costs. It was in eighth grade I began attending Adel DeSoto schools, riding a bus for the very first time. Very quickly, I learned that representation mattered, whether it be on the athletic field or in the classroom.
"The teachers I had at Central Dallas changed the trajectory of my life by helping me early on with the challenges I had."
I am the product of amazing public schools and public school teachers. The teachers I had at Central Dallas changed the trajectory of my life by helping me early on with the challenges I had. From providing speech services to helping me discover the joys of reading, having access to high quality teachers and specialists made the difference in my life. I graduated from ADM in 1995. I attended DMACC for 2 years before transferring to the University of Iowa. I got a BA in Spanish in 1999. I received a MA in Hispanic Literature from the University of New Mexico in 2003.
I love school! My public school teachers ignited within me a passion for learning. Shortly after relocating to Buffalo Grove, Illinois I got a master’s degree in secondary education along with a middle school endorsement from National Louis University. I continued my studies obtaining an English language learner endorsement. In 2012, I received a school administration endorsement. Each of these endorsements were just short of additional Masters' degrees. In 2013, all of my coursework was rolled together and I was awarded an Educational Specialist’s degree in Transitional Bilingual Education. These specialized endorsements and years of training provided me with the opportunity to work for 10 years at a two time, U.S. Department of Education blue ribbon award winning, Apple distinguished school in Buffalo Grove, Illinois.
The decision to leave the classroom and step away from educational leadership was one of the most difficult decisions of my life. When I stepped away my son was almost two years old and my daughter was turning five. Even with a battery of support from Early Intervention my son wasn’t making developmental milestones. We were in the drawn out process of undergoing gene mapping to determine the genetic source of his disabilities. During my leave of absence, my mom would have a number of strokes leaving her permanently disabled. My father-in-law would be diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Currently, I teach middle school Spanish in a neighboring district. During my free time I volunteer with The Arc of Iowa, Changing Spaces Iowa, Variety the Children’s Charity of Iowa, The Iowa Family Leadership Training Institute and I serve on ChildServe’s Family Advisory Council. I have experience advocating for people with disabilities at the local, state and federal level.
Please consider me as a viable candidate to represent Dallas Center - Grimes CSD as an at large member of the school board. The special election regarding "director districts" versus "at-large" members will be on the ballot at the upcoming April 11th special election. Please consider voting #nbcfordcg I'd be honored to represent you and your children.
My reasons for running
I am an educator. As an educator, I spend my days collaboratively working with teachers, students and families to ensure that school is a safe place for learning. I am the parent of two school aged children. My own children, and their educational future, are ever present in my mind.
My oldest is in middle school. My youngest is in first grade and requires maximum levels of support in order to be able to attend school and participate in learning. I regularly work with associates, educators, and building and district administration to ensure that his needs are met. As the parent of a disabled child, and an educator, I know that the majority of special education services are delivered by associates.
I’ve been an associate more than once in my educational career. I know that retaining highly qualified, veteran staff makes a significant difference in educational outcomes for challenging students.
As a teacher, I know the hours of specialized training spent to obtain a teaching certificate, along with the hours of unpaid work that takes place outside the contractual school day.
As a board member, I would support teachers and students because their voices and representation matter.
My Views
-
Book Reconsideration
I support teachers, educators and librarians to select appropriate materials for their classrooms, curriculums and collections.
Read More
I support informing parents of curricular selections and providing alternative learning opportunities to students/families that opt out. -
Director Districts versus At-large board members
I support District Representatives because it increases the probability that Dallas Center has a representative at the school board table.
Read More
The state requires the district population be split by 10 percent so each area is represented equally. Continuing a District map ensures that Dallas Center residents have the greatest probability of representation on the school board.
Both Dallas Center and Grimes residents benefit from the advantage of neighborhood representatives when bringing issues to the school board.
What people are saying
Her passion is wanting what is best not only for her children but for all children!
I can be assured with her on the school board that she will make sure that ALL children and parents of children with and without disabilities will be heard!!
Nancy Baker Curtis serves on both South Prairie PTO and Dallas Center Grimes Executive PTO as secretary.
She is passionate about communicating with stakeholders and following procedures while using our budget to enhance the educational experiences of every learner in our building.
Nancy is an incredible advocate and positive force for change.
Her dedication, compassion and service to others is exactly what the Dallas Center-Grimes CSD School Board needs.
I fully support Nancy Baker Curtis for DCG School Board At Large.
Beyond a doubt, Nancy Baker Curtis is highly qualified to run for the at-large school board position in the Dallas Center-Grimes School District.
In all she does, Nancy exemplifies honesty, fairness, and thoughtfulness.
Dallas Center-Grimes needs people like Nancy on the school board. Nancy needs you. Vote for her April 11.