Hello! I'm

Kayla Burkett, Ed.S.

and I'm running for Norwalk City School Board

Knowledge of Best practices & Education Law

As a school psychologist, I am highly trained in best practices in education and education laws. I hope to use my thorough understanding of these areas to guide conversations about policy as well as holding our district accountable.

Community Advocacy

Ultimately, I believe that it is the primary role of a Board Member to listen to and amplify the voices in our community. Bridging the gap between our families' needs and school's resources is a must in this position.

Data Based decision making

As a Board Member, I want to ensure that our tax dollars are not going to waste and we are allocating funds that support our students' needs. All decisions that affect our children, school personnel, and community should be supported by corresponding data. In other words, let's focus on where the needs are before we add unnecessary items to our to-do list.

A collaborative Mindset

There are a lot of variables (school personnel, resources, families, etc.) that make a school district successful. Playing to everyone's strengths and understanding others' perspectives is key for a successful education system.

Ohio Wesleyan University

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Minors in Biology and Spanish.

UNIVERSITY of Toledo

Master's and Education Specialist Degrees in School Psychology

“I I have known Kayla ever since she was a student in my sophomore English class at Norwalk High School. I am thrilled that she has decided to run for Norwalk School Board. She is a graduate of Norwalk City Schools, a school psychologist for the Sandusky City Schools, and now the mother of her own child. She lives on my street and is married to a person who grew up on this same street. She is obviously invested in this community and knows about education.

But I want to tell you about her character – the kind of person she is. When she was a sophomore in high school, our English class read Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. Toward the end of the novel, the protagonist says it is important to leave something behind when you die, so that people know that you were here on this Earth.

Most of my students wrote about material things – to leave their CD collection, or their best clothing, or maybe their video games.

But Kayla wrote that she wanted to help others, to make the world a better place. Her response was so heartfelt, so genuine, and so different from the others that I remember it to this day.

I am sure she will bring that empathy, that sense of caring, to the students and programs of Norwalk City Schools. It is who she is.”

- Debbie Leffler

I have known Kayla since she was a small child, as we were friends with her parents, Randy and

Jen. She comes from a very loving, close-knit family. She learned values, integrity, and self-

discipline at a very young age. These attributes led her to be not only a very competitive softball

player for Norwalk high school, but a wonderful teacher for the younger girls involved in the

sport, my own daughter included. Kayla took the time to share her skills with others that looked

up to her, investing in her community, even at a young age.

Kayla and her husband, Jeff, are both invested in and dedicated to teaching our youth. I am

confident she will bring that dedication and sincerity to the position of School Board Member.

Kayla is already an asset to this community, and I look forward to seeing what she can

accomplish in the future!

- Mayor Dave Light

Creative director