Public Schools & Education
Eric is a strong advocate for public schools. He will make education in Prince George’s County his key focus as a member of the County Council.
Eric will promote smaller class sizes, where students can have more individual attention. He also believes we need more vocational and technical educational opportunities for young people in Prince George’s to allow those not seeking a college career path an opportunity to learn a trade.
Eric is also an advocate of mentoring programs for older students to mentor younger students under adult supervision. He believes that mentoring programs can help instill responsibility and confidence in older students, while also benefiting younger students.
While local municipal governments do not have direct oversight of schools, as a member of the College Park City Council, Eric has been active on educational priorities during his eight years in office, including:
- working with community and political leaders to re-open Berwyn Heights Elementary
- helping to lead two successful efforts to stop attempts to divide the University Park Elementary School community
- collaboration with Paint Branch Elementary PTA leaders on the school community’s concerns
- opening dialogue with the University of Maryland’s School of Education on the concept of operating a “lab” school in the community. The school would help train prospective teachers, allow graduate students and faculty to conduct educational research, and help our County’s children learn from University-level instructors.
Eric is also the City Council liaison to the College Park Education Advisory Committee.
In short, Eric believes that our school system can become a model, and that we can create a system of excellence, but it will take dedication, leadership, and investment to make it happen.
