ABOUT ME
Hi, I'm Sheila
ABOUT ME
My husband, Andy, and I both graduated from Buffalo High School (maiden name Otness). We moved back to Buffalo because we love this community and its schools and believe it is an amazing place to raise our six children, four of whom are adopted from foster care. While we were students here, we experienced a district that was truly a place to dream, believe and achieve and we want the same for our children. In fact our children will be 5th generation Buffalo students! Having had children at three different schools in the district gives me unique insight into the happenings and needs within our district. I am a substitue teacher for BHM and an Associate Pastor at Connection Pointe Church. I am also an active community volunteer in numerous capacities such as Wrapped in Love, my local church, Meals on Wheels, Boy Scouts, PTO and more.
WHY I AM RUNNING
I don't have a personal or political agenda. I am not a politician. I am an educator, mom and citizen who is passionate about her community and taking an active role in making it flourish. I have always been a fierce public school advocate and believe strong schools make a strong community. My passion for education and love for this district made running for re-election an obvious choice. It has been a delight to serve the past 4 years and I want to continue the work I have started. With my own children having many more years of schooling at BHM and hopefully my grandchildren too, I knew I wanted to take an active role in helping ensure District #877 is strong now and into the future. My goal as a school board member is to be a positive voice for ALL students and make sure they have every opportunity to get a well rounded, high quality education so they are ready to take on the world!
PUTTING MY EXPERIENCE TO WORK
Having a career as an educator, I have a unique perspective to bring to the school board. I know what it is like in classrooms today, having spent many days over the past 5 years substitute teaching in the classrooms in Buffalo, Hanover and Montrose. I have also been a District #877 Summer School teacher and served on the district's Community Teaching and Learning Council . My full-time teaching experience occurred in the Anoka-Hennepin School District and St. Mary's County Public Schools in Maryland. I have my BA in Education and Youth Ministry and my Master's degree in Leadership in Teaching: Library Media. As a foster/adoptive mom, the needs of my own children have taught me a lot about the varying needs of students and have required me to learn a variety of strategies that best help students learn and be successful in life. I believe this knowledge has been invaluable as I worked with fellow board members to ensure our schools are a place where all students can thrive socially and emotionally, as well as academically. I have held numerous leadership roles throughout my lifetime that have shaped me into a creative collaborator and clear communicator. I am committed to serving with integrity, diligence and transparency so our staff and students can excel!
A SUCCESSFUL FIRST TERM
During my first term I have represented our district on the United for Youth Board, as a member of the Community Education Advisory Board, on the District Construction Committee, and the District Community Teaching and Learning Council. I have served on numerous contract negotiations teams where I worked hard to be a bridge between the bargaining unit representatives and the School Board to settle fair and favorable contracts for our outstanding employees.
I had a strong desire to learn as much as a I could about school governance and state laws affecting education so that I could serve to the best of my ability. I completed all phases of the Minnesota School Board Association initial trainings as well as additonal learning opportunities when provided. I earned the Leadership Development Certificate and the 2026 Director's Award.
I have met with and contacted our legislators many times over the past 4 years to advocate for the needs of our district including fully funding public education, reducing the number of unfunded mandates and policy that meets the needs of students and staff.
Other first term accomplishments include: Successfully passing a Bond Referendum to make our schools safer and up-to-date, adopting the district's Portrait of a Graduate that guides all we do to help students prepare for a successful future and being chosen as Board Vice-Chair. I look forward to the opportunity to continue serving our amazing district.