Re-Election 11/7!
Re-Election 11/7!
Claire was elected to the Eudora school board in November 2021! She is now running for re-election and would love your support. Read her bio (written in Fall 2021) and leadership philosophy and check out upcoming events. Vote in Eudora on November 7, 2023!
Ready to serve.
Claire Harding moved with her husband, Shawn, and young family to Eudora fourteen years ago. She found the realest sense of community in the schools when their oldest went to Kindergarten and she began volunteering in his classroom. The PTO and SIte Council at Eudora Elementary provided her with more opportunity to learn about Eudora Schools and give back with her time and talent. She currently serves in those roles. The Harding boys are now in 5th, 8th and 9th grade in Eudora Schools.
In Fall 2015 Claire joined the Eudora Schools Foundation and, during her tenure, worked with the ESF Board to raise funds for district and Board priorities in equity, literacy and educator opportunities. One particular source of pride for Claire was the establishment of an MOU that strengthened the Foundation’s partnership with the Eudora School District. Another great accomplishment for her was the creation of the Teacher Fellows program to provide in-depth long term professional development to quality educators. She served on the Schools Foundation Board until May 2021.
Perhaps the most influential position that has prepared Claire for the School Board, however, is substitute teacher. Since 2016 Claire has taught as a substitute in all grade levels and Specials classes at Eudora Elementary. She has taught in the Special Education and Life Skills classrooms, held three long-term substitute teaching positions and also worked as a paraprofessional at all levels. Claire has also taught in some classrooms at EMS and EHS. Claire doesn’t just search her feelings or ask her relatives about the highs and lows of the teacher experience; she has lived it.
Claire is running for Eudora School Board, the Unexpired Term position. The election is November 2, 2021. Let’s take advantage of her decade of service to our schools and put her on the School Board.
Candidate Events
October 28th
Trunk or Treat
Downtown Eudora @ 5pm
Look for the suffragettes! Votes for Women!
Read Eudora Times Profile
Claire answers “Why the Eudora School Board?”
I believe our Kansas public schools have a responsibility to educate students to their fullest potential. The Eudora School Board influences the direction our district moves to uphold this educational responsibility.
As a Board of Education member my experience in the classroom and as a district volunteer will guide my decisions for our community.
Claire Talks More about her Candidacy.
What is the role of a school board member?
School board members are leaders, crafting policy and making decisions that impact the daily and long term success of every child in our community. School board members advocate for strong and well-resourced public schools. School board members are committed to sound fiscal policy as representatives of all community members and district families. School board members have to do the hard work, together.
What will be your priorities as a School Board Member?
My priorities align with the Kansas State Department of Education’s. Every time I sit at the table I want to know how this action, this choice of the Board’s will impact every student’s daily and long-term success. My responsibility is to balance the needs of students, staff and educators with those of our community. I will prioritize well-researched decision making and will hold opinions formed after careful analysis. The people most impacted by our decisions should have a voice. I will prioritize listening.
What is the biggest issue facing Eudora Schools in the next year?
We have some repairs to make in our relationships in this community. We need to again focus on communication and collaboration to achieve our goals together. The city of Eudora will be experiencing another period of growth in the near future and the school board should continue to plan ahead. We can’t afford to be so divisive at this juncture.
I believe in the goodness of Eudora people and want it to be easier for everyone to feel a sense of belonging in the community and schools.
When making influential decisions, what guides you?
I am guided by facts when making critical decisions with far-reaching consequence. I am guided by the truth of how the decision is viewed and experienced by those it most impacts. If we aren’t asking the follow-up questions and being willing to learn and change as a result of the answers, we aren’t truly leading.
I will not be swayed by the loudest voice in the room.
How do you build trust in your professional relationships?
I listen more than I talk. I want to build consensus but won’t at the expense of my convictions. I act with integrity and optimism. I work hard in service to others. In my experience, all of this builds trust.
What does a day off look like for you?
I am a reader so nothing is much more relaxing to me than a seasonally appropriate drink, a comfortable spot to sit and a good book. Maybe I’m by the fireplace or maybe I’m sitting at the park but the boys are all nearby and it is (relatively) peaceful.
I’m currently working my way to finish a few annual reading challenges. One is an ABC challenge in which I read a book whose title begins with each letter of the alphabet. Only 7 letters left!
Elect Claire Harding to the Eudora School Board.
She’s the right choice for Eudora right now.