Thank you to all who supported my candidacy and congratulations to the winners

For the past year, eleven men and women who care about public education in Michigan have been running for election to the State Board of Education. The challenge is huge as we campaign statewide with far fewer resources than those at the top of the ballot. Still we have opportunity to listen to the people of our great state and to share our visions for public education in the 21st Century. Yesterday the voters spoke. They elected the Republican candidates Eileen Weiser and Richard Zeile. Congratulations to both Ms. Weiser and Dr. Zeile who will serve from January 1, 2011 to January 1, 2019.

I want to thank my fellow Democratic Party candidate, Lupe Ramos-Montigny for her contributions to this race. It has been great fun to campaign with her. We made many new friends as we criss-crossed the state from our respective starting points: Lupe in Grand Rapids and Liz in Birmingham.
We listened to and learned from citizens in every corner of the state and we will remain active in advocating excellence in public education for all students.

I also thank the citizens of Michigan for their support. You have hosted events for me. You have supported the campaign with your time and treasure.You encouraged my heart and educated my mind. I will always be grateful.

It is Election Day - VOTE

Today is the final day of a long campaign. It is the day that matters. There is no "tomorrow" or second chance. This is it. Your vote matters. When the polls close tonight, the people will have spoken and we will soon learn who our leaders will be in the years ahead. YOU have the opportunity to influence your future. Please be sure to vote. Round up your friends and neighbors and help them get to the polls. Our right to vote is precious and we must not waste this treasure.

I hope you will vote for me for State Board of Education. I hope even more you will execise your right to vote.

Come for a coffee with Liz Bauer, Monday Nov. 1 from 3-7 p.m.

Another one of my thought-provoking friends, Phyllis Davis Williams, is hosting an Open House at which I can talk with folks on a more personal basis. The event will be held on Monday, Nov. 1, 2010 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at The Character Cafe, 8626 W. Vernor, Detroit, MI 48209. It is on Vernor between Springwells and Lawndale.

The Cafe phone is 313 849 1111

Please stop by to share your views on education or any other aspect of life in our state. I will be there to learn from you as much as to share my vision for public education going forward.

Conversation with Grace Lee Boggs at the Boggs Center in Detroit

This morning I had the privilege to meet with a group of men and women of all ages in the company of Grace Lee Boggs, Julia Putnam, and Rich Feldman. Students, teachers, advocates for social change and people who walk their talk gathered to discuss education and how it could become more purposeful and meaningful to students in all their diversity. Too many good ideas to recount in this post, but I will be carrying them forward and sharing them in the future. I welcome readers' ideas and suggestions for ways in which we can better involve all members of our communities in the education of our children and youth. Know this. We are surrounded by people with vision, hope and ideas for new directions. We need only listen, learn and act to create inclusive communities.

Grand Rapids Press endorses Liz Bauer for State Board of Education

Just wanted to share the good news. The Grand Rapids Press has endorsed my candidacy for the State Board of Education. This encourages my heart and puts more pep in my step toward election day, Tuesday, Nov. 2. Hope all readers will vote on Election Day. Voting is essential to a participatory democracy.

Heartening News This Morning - Detroit Free Press endorsed Liz Bauer for State Board of Education

What a great way to start the day! A cup of coffee, a newspaper, and turning to the Opinion Page, the delightful discovery that my candidacy for re-election to the State Board of Education has been endorsed by the Detroit Free Press. I am grateful that my contributions during this term "merit a second term." See detailed election information and candidate profiles online at Freep.com/decision2010.

I am off to northern Michigan to receive the Friend of Social Work Award from the Michigan Association of School Social Workers. These men and women perform essential counseling, coaching, assessment, and coordination of accommodations, among other services to students in our schools. I am pleased to have an opportunity to thank them for all they do.

Want to know more about your ballot and the candidates running for election Nov. 2?

Have you checked out Publius.org? Go to www.publius.org. Enter your name and ZIP and you will see a map of your polling place, the ballot as it will apepar at your local polling place, and you can click on candidates' names to see their positions on issues, check their campaign finance reports, and more. This is a wonderful service and makes it easy to be an informed voter.

Speaking of voting...YOU MUST VOTE! Oct. 30 is the last day to get an absentee ballot. You must turn it in by 8 p.m. on Nov. 2. Polls are open 7 am to 8 pm on Tuesday, Nov. 2. Be there!