Education Matters US

The following was reported today by the Daily Herald. A Round Lake Park Trustee is calling for District 46 School Board member Kristen Coe-Peek to resign.

It’s obvious to anyone looking at this Teubert is using this as political pressure. He could have easily gone to a Board meeting and said this. Instead he goes to the newspapers. He is using this to build support in the community to put pressure on Coe-Peek to resign. This will be totally her decision however. There is no recall mechanism in Illinois so they cannot force here out of office.

Kristen used poor judgement in driving that night. For that she was wrong. Her behavior was a poor example for the children of the community. She has the opportunity to set a good example now and show the children the meaning of consequences. I would like to point out a couple of choices she has.

1. She could resign as Teubert calls for.
2. She could start speaking in the High School and Middle School about the consequences and the dangers of driving when you have had alcohol to drink.

Both choices will show children there are consequences to your actions. Resigning only has a short term impact. Her actions will be forgotten in a few months, but brought back up in future school board races even for other candidates. Performing Community Service talks with teenagers would provide a long term impact. She can continue this for years if she desires impacting each grade of students. Again, the choice she makes is hers and I assume her family who have been directly impacted.

Kristen has taken responsibility for her actions by pleading guilty. She did not hide and try to get out of punishment. That does show a recognition that she acknowledges her mistake.

Did you know we have a candidate for Lt. Governor who was charged with a DUI around 10 years ago? Steve Rauschenberger was caught driving under the influence. He also took responsibility for his actions without trying to get out of the charges. He did not use his political position of State Senator to avoid punishment. He still talks about this today and does not shy away from telling people what he did was wrong. He showed a quality of leadership that is lacking in many people today. That quality is the ability to take responsibility of your actions by admitting your mistake and then not hiding it from those who ask. He has moved past the mistake and uses it a reminder not to make the same mistake again.