Experience matters

As a former student of Yollie Wilkins, I am writing in strong support of her candidacy for Ector County Independent School District Board of Trustees, Position 5.

I have known Wilkins since I was one of her students in the seventh grade. Even now, a year out of college and a year into my career, I believe that Mrs. Wilkins has had a tremendous influence upon my goals and accomplishments, even after the seventh grade.

While in her seventh grade AAP English class, I grew to admire and respect Mrs. Wilkins greatly. I was taught to challenge myself, was forced to "think outside the box," and was encouraged to reach my highest potential.

In the years I have known her, Mrs. Wilkins has strongly advocated the ideals in which she believes, and she establishes her convictions after much careful research, thought and deliberation.

She thinks through problems instead of making rash decisions. And she welcomes opinions and suggestions that may differ from her own.

I feel confident in her perspectives of the issues facing ECISD, knowing that they are reached with the foundation of years of relevant, concrete experience rooted in her years in the classroom and her devotion to the students of our community.

Her only agenda is to provide the best quality education for our district's students.

The position of trustee should be filled with somebody who is qualified, competent, experienced and understands the educational needs of the students.

Too often in school board races today in Ector County, we focus on issues that do not speak to the larger needs of the entire body of students in our community.

Our students suffer as a result.

We need somebody who has experience in education, who understands the needs of teachers and faculty and who will again focus on returning the pride to our school district.

We need somebody who, when she was my teacher, encouraged and challenged every one of her students. Mrs. Wilkins can certainly claim a great deal of the credit for the successes of her former students.

Wilkins has been an excellent lifelong educator and has made a lasting impression on her former students, including me.

She is by far the most qualified candidate running for the position and will be a great advocate for our students.

I ask voters to choose my former teacher and my good friend, Yollie Wilkins, for the position on Saturday.

Trent Holbrook
Odessa