THOMASVILLE —As an educator, Erin Fielding wants to be in on all aspects of the Thomasville City School System and to help shape decisions made by the city board of education.

Fielding, 36, is a candidate for the at-large seat on the school board to be decided in the Nov. 5 general municipal election.

She is an involved parent and has children in the city school system.

Fielding attended school board meetings, paying close attention to what is going on in the schools.

“I saw there was a need for somebody like me on the board,” Fielding said.

The candidate described what city schools are doing as “amazing,” and she wants to help shape the system’s history.

A pre-school teacher at First United Methodist Church, Fielding said school system transparency is needed for taxpayers and parents.

“I hope the new superintendent will come in with a new vision,” Fielding said.

She said the school board can recruit highly-qualified teachers, pointing out a teacher turnover in school system middle and high schools.

Scott Elementary School is a primarily African-American school, the candidate said. She said that the school’s integrated arts programs are changing the student population, resulting in different faces from different races and backgrounds.

Fielding considers it a challenge for each school to be different and drive students and parents.

The school system comprehensive report repeatedly mentions a need for consistency in all areas, Fielding said, adding that board members could ask what the consistencies are.

“Good things are happening in the school system,” she said, “and the community needs to know about them. Each school should have its own personality so parents can make the best and most important choice for their child.”

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext 1820.