David J. Weinstein
2023 Candidate for Cambridge School Committee
Home address:
45 S. Normandy Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02138
Contact information:
website: votedavidweinstein.com
e-mail: votedavidweinstein@gmail.com
phone: 857-285-2194
Facebook: facebook.com/votedavidweinstein
Twitter: twitter.com/voteDWeinstein
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/djweinstein
Send contributions to:
Online: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/davidweinstein
or by mail to:
David Weinstein for Cambridge School Committee
45 S. Normandy Ave.
Cambridge MA 02138
DAVID J. WEINSTEIN
7/18/2023
I am excited to announce that I am officially running for re-election to the Cambridge School Committee!
As a parent, I am proud to have two kids in Cambridge Public Schools, one entering 6th grade and the other entering 11th grade. Despite our strengths, we still have work to do to close racial, gender, and economic opportunity gaps so that all of our children have the resources and support they need to thrive, and to demonstrate our commitment to anti-racism and racial equity in every Cambridge classroom.
During my time on the School Committee, we have made meaningful progress toward the larger goals I have articulated in my previous campaigns. I am running for re-election because we are not done yet: these are long-term projects and it will take strong leadership and continued commitment to see them through.
We are launching universal preschool in Fall 2024 — part of our commitment to providing equity and high-quality education to our children at every age. The Cambridge Preschool Program will provide free preschool to every 4-year-old and some 3-year-olds living in Cambridge during the school day and school year. As a member of the joint Cambridge Public Schools/City of Cambridge committee working on this I am proud of the funding and support we’ve secured for programs and staff that will make this new step successful.
We are now building the comprehensive individualized student success plans infrastructure I have advocated for – so that no child will fall through the cracks or lack support to reach their potential. Cambridge Public Schools is part of the 2023 cohort of the Harvard Graduate School of Education EdRedesign Lab’s Institute for Success Planning, which is a leader in this work. I am looking forward to working with their team and collaborating with other communities from around the country to make sure we have a coordinated “cradle to career” system of support for all of our kids.
We have designed a new district plan anchored in measurable goals that expect great things from our children – by holding us accountable to support them. We are using new forms of data including iReady that are more accessible to families and to educators in real time – and I have continued to push for an end to the MCAS standardized testing graduation requirement. We must follow through on this plan and continue to adjust and set our sights higher as we go.
It is time for Cambridge to make clear our commitment to equitable pathways for algebra for all before 9th grade and to follow through on that commitment. As Chair of the Curriculum and Achievement Subcommittee I have been focused on this issue, and will be focused on ensuring that in math, and throughout our curriculum, we set the floor high – and we don’t impose ceilings.
I was lead sponsor of the policy that committed us to a fully electric Cambridge school bus fleet by 2030, and to maximizing use of the electric school bus Cambridge already owns. We must act boldly to address climate change. This will improve our children’s health here in Cambridge and help reduce the climate impact of our schools.
As a parent, former public school teacher, and scholar of education, I have experience with the important issues from many angles. If re-elected, I promise to continue engaging with the families of Cambridge and using my experience to increase opportunities for all of our children. If you would like to get involved or learn more, please email me at votedavidweinstein@gmail.com. To contribute: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/davidweinstein
I look forward to working with you!
Thank you,
David
votedavidweinstein@gmail.com
857-285-2194
[from 2021]
David J. Weinstein
Experienced Educator, Collaborative Leader, Public School Parent
We are interdependent. To get through this pandemic and achieve the results we all want for our children we must put all of our love, care, resources, wisdom and focus on meeting the individual needs of each child and ensuring the well-being of every person in our care: child and adult – scholar, staff and educator.
No one should fall through the cracks. No one should be left to languish.
That is my commitment to Cambridge.
I ask you to vote David #1 on November 2nd and work with me so Cambridge can achieve excellence, equity, innovation and opportunity for every child.
THE EXPERIENCE, PERSPECTIVE, AND SKILLS TO SERVE
Every two years we elect a school committee team to serve Cambridge. We need someone on that team with experience navigating the pandemic, the perspective of a former classroom teacher and a current Cambridge parent, and the skills of a collaborative organizational leader focused on supporting each child to achieve their best.
In my first term on the School Committee I have been a leader for educational excellence, racial equity, special education services, communications and family engagement, outdoor learning and recess, and against misogyny and gender-based harassment and assault. Throughout the pandemic he has worked tirelessly for the physical and mental health and safety of our children and our educators.
I am the only member of the School Committee who has been a certified classroom teacher. I taught high school English and art K-12 in public schools in New York and Massachusetts, worked with children with special learning needs at a specialized summer camp, and was a substitute teacher at the New York School for the Deaf. I have spent my career in K-12 and college education.
I am a Cambridge Public Schools parent of children in 4th grade and 9th grade, and have lived in Cambridge for more than 20 years. I am deeply engaged with our schools. Prior to my election to the School Committee I served on a Cambridge elementary school council, a principal search advisory committee, teacher hiring committees, and as a rep to the Cambridge Citywide School Advisory Group (CSAG).
I researched educational policy and practice at the Harvard Graduate School of Education focused teaching and learning, school design, and teacher leadership. I know how to connect innovations and ideals with classroom realities.
I am a collaborative organizational leader and communications professional who has guided and grown a 50-state civic education program based at Brandeis University, ENACT: The Educational Network for Active Civic Transformation. I have specialized in education, outreach, engagement, communications, curriuculum and program management for 20 years in education-focused nonprofit organizations and at Brandeis University.
Priorities:
- Continue to implement pandemic health and safety measures guided by the best available research, in partnership with our teachers and families so our children can safely learn and grow.
- Close the racial and economic opportunity gaps in our schools and meet the needs of all learners with a multi-pronged approach so every child can excel.
- Demonstrate our commitment to anti-racism and racial equity in every Cambridge classroom through our actions, policies, and practices.
- Support the Birth to 3rd Grade Partnership and successfully offer pre-K and public junior kindergarten for all, in developmentally appropriate classrooms.
- Strengthen our upper schools (grades 6-8) by providing enhanced sports and other extracurricular activities, supporting teacher collaboration, supporting social workers and family liaisons, and implementing evidence-based social and emotional learning programming.
- Establish “Individualized Student Success Plans” that ensure each child's needs are identified and met, and everyone is supported to advance and excel. No one should fall through the cracks or be left to languish.
- Provide a coordinated “cradle to career” ecosystem for all Cambridge children and families by working with community advocates, the city, organizational partners, and businesses.
- Help our students and alums access opportunity through college and career guidance, internship and apprenticeship programs, mentorship and other supports.
- Collaborate with the new interim superintendent for her and our success, and select the permanent superintendent in a transparent, community-engaged process.
- Design a new multi-year strategic plan for our district anchored in ambitious, measurable goals that expect great things from our children – by holding us accountable to support all children.
- Ensure our special education services are accessible to all who need them.
- Budget for enough "hearts and hands" in every school building: teachers, family liaisons, social workers and specialized staff.
- Exceed our goal of 30% teachers of color by hiring, supporting and retaining excellent teachers.
- Continue to challenge the status quo and fight against misogyny and gender-based harassment and assault so Cambridge Public Schools can be a leader in this effort.
- Expand outdoor learning and access to recess so every child benefits academically and socially from these opportunities.
I ask for your #1 vote on November 2nd to make sure our Cambridge School Committee team includes:
– Someone who has worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to ensure that our health and safety measures are guided by the best available research, in partnership with our teachers and our families.
– Someone who stayed focused on making progress towards our short and long-term educational priorities even as we managed our pandemic response.
– Someone who has been a classroom teacher in public elementary schools and high schools.
– Someone who knows our Cambridge schools as a parent of kids in our classrooms right now.
– Someone who knows what questions we need to ask about educational policy, and when we need to ask others for their experience and knowledge.
–Someone who works well with others – even in the most challenging times around the most critical issues – to get the job done for our children.
Endorsed by Our Revolution Cambridge
Endorsed by State Representative Mike Connolly
CCTV candidate video (2023)
2021 Candidate Page CCTV candidate video (2021) 2019 Candidate page CCTV candidate video (2019)
2017 Candidate Page CCTV candidate video (2017) InsideOut - Oct 17, 2017
Cambridge Parking Day interview (2017) 2015 Candidate Page