Hello
I graduated as Salutatorian from Rye Cove High School, where participating in track, volleyball, basketball, cross-country, band, agriculture, which included masonry, welding, wood shop, speech, etc. brought me out of my shell. (I’m sure many people wish I would crawl back in.) I was thrilled to dance with the Rye Cove Cloggers at multiple venues, including the World’s Fair, Grand Ole Opry, and the Johnny Cash Christmas Special at Carter’s Fold. I also earned dual-enrollment credits from MECC.
I carried a biology major and chemistry minor at Alice Lloyd College on a full scholarship. While there, my work study assignments included cleaning the student center, assisting in the science labs, and lifeguarding. Fixing the toilets in the girls’ dorm became a side gig by necessity.
As a Junior, I transferred to the University of South Carolina Coastal to pick up a 2nd major of art and minor of psychology. I backpacked around Europe before my second senior year, received a traumatic brain injury for fun, then, out of necessity, pulled back to graduating with a single Bachelor of Arts degree. Within hours of completing my last formal class, I moved to Europe to work and continue my search for the meaning of life.
I returned to America and our region to teach my mother’s art classes while she recovered from a surgical procedure. I came to Christ in my early 20s at FLBC in Boones Creek, TN. Nick-named the Bikers’ Church, they referred to themselves as the Island of Misfit Toys, and I fit right in.
I graduated from Regent Law School in 2 ½ years while working a variety of jobs, including producing a pen and ink of Robertson Hall, the building which houses the American Center for Law and Justice and the law school. I was honored to see the original hung in the Dean’s Office on campus, and signed copies awarded to Clarence Thomas and the late Chief Justice Antonin Scalia.
I finished in the top 1/3 of my class, which proves that God still works miracles, and He has an enduring sense of humor.
I thank you in advance for your thoughtful consideration of my platform and thereafter, your partnership in this endeavor, expressed by your vote, if you see fit.
Your servant and watchman on the wall,
Stephanie Kern
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
What is the biggest challenge the students in our region face?
Not surprisingly, many individuals would proclaim a lack of wealth as the biggest challenge facing our local students. And while I certainly recognize many of the struggles that come with financial lack, after 50+ years of studying how life works, I have come to a different conclusion. A lack of perspective is actually far more detrimental to the young and old(er) alike.
Consider the backstory of some of the most successful, compassionate, generous individuals you know. Many were dirt-poor growing up and maybe even in their young adulthood. Then look at celebrities such as Ben Carson, Oprah Winfrey, J.K. Rowling, George Washington Carver, or overcomers such as Corrie Ten Boom, Joni Ericson-Tada, and Nick Vujicic. Despite financial or physical limitations, they had or acquired a combination of character traits, including purpose, hope, determination, and a strong work ethic, which compelled them out of poverty or beyond seemingly insurmountable circumstances.
To acquire a proper perspective, our students need to learn Critical Thinking skills, as opposed to Critical Theory ideologies. For a deep dive on the topic from James Lindsay, see https://newdiscourses.com › 2022 › 06 › critical-thinking-versus-critical-theory.
Presenting evidence that encourages an attitude of gratitude is a crucial step. For example, showing evidence in Verifiable History that our Country, though not perfect, is exceptional. That, because they live in a Democratic Republic utilizing Capitalism and a Free-Market economy, they do not have to be defined by their current circumstances or limited by a government program.
Letting children know that each one of them is created equal but special in their own right, one of a kind. That they are not irredeemably victims or oppressors, and that there is a purpose for his or her life.
These realizations and a poverty mentality are mutually exclusive.
1. What do you do for a living?
I am an attorney with two main focuses of my practice. I serve as Court Appointed Counsel for indigent individuals charged with violating certain criminal or civil laws of our Commonwealth. I do not force opportunities on my clients, but if the circumstances permit, I am honored to assist them in obtaining admission into one of the effective faith-based drug rehabilitation centers utilized on occasion by our justice system. I also serve as a Guardian Ad Litem for children who are the subject of custody battles, victims of domestic violence, abused, neglected, or worse, or children who, often due to past traumas, are in need of services or additional supervision. I work as such directly with the children and individuals in various roles in and venues including schools, daycares, counseling centers, pediatricians’ offices, hospitals, medical specialties, law enforcement, juvenile probation, community service, employers, and children’s homes.
2. Do you have any relatives who work for county schools or seek employment with county schools?
Short answer: no. More precise answer: I have immediate family members who retired from teaching, as well as in-laws and a cousin who are teachers, but none in Wise County. At least that I know of, I have a lot of cousins I’ve never met.
3. Do you have children in county schools?
I do not, but as mentioned above, I am the Guardian Ad Litem for children who are students currently or have been during my 27 years of practice.
4. If you are an incumbent: What do you consider your number one accomplishment on the board so far, and why?
While I hope that my participation on the Board has benefited our students and schools in far greater ways than this, one occasion early in my service consistently comes to mind. It came from a perspective which has been reinforced and reinformed by scholars, scientists, medical professionals, and more, gleaned for the benefit of each and every child under our care and influence. Acquisition of such firsthand wisdom required travel of more than 8000 miles to various conferences and summits.*
During deliberations in that early school board meeting, along with others, I was honored, and more than a little intimidated, to speak candidly on the nonexistent pros and numerous cons of the mandatory masking of our children. Then, at our earliest legal opportunity, Roz McAmis, Martha Jett, Mark Raymond, Herb Short and I joined in voting to end the mask mandate. It was actually a huge step toward improvement of the students’ physical and emotional health, which of course improved their ability to learn and joyfully be children.
I’d be remiss not to mention that all of the board members voted for what they felt would best serve the students.
5. Challengers in this election have expressed concerns including a lack of communications and a lack of transparency within the school system, insufficient finances for county schools and limited resources for students’ well-being, both at home and at school. If you are an incumbent, please elaborate on these concerns and what you have done as a board member to address them.
As to a lack of communication, I imagine there will always be room for improvement. There are numerous points of contact: the front office staff at each school, the principals, VPs, guidance counselors, and teachers. Then you have the directors at the central office 276-328-8017, the Superintendent and finally the Board Members. All of our contact information can be found on the district’s website, wisek12.org
In today’s world communicating can be a bit precarious, especially regarding certain topics such as education. Time is precious, and our language has been so fiddled with, one spends oodles of time trying to express a thought without leaving room for misinterpretation, then often resolves to stand mute so as not to risk offending. And in so doing, they are deemed to be offensive or deceptive.
That being said, three avenues to improve communication come to mind, two of which are already in practice. First, at least, in district 3 schools, the principals or office staff utilize texts or other messaging apps to reach out weekly, daily, or more frequently, to each parent or guardian notifying them of occurrences or upcoming events or obligations. The second more recent approach is the district wide newsletter available at no charge at https://wisecova.edurooms.com/engage/wise-county-public-schools/newsletters/august-2025-newsletter-74650
The third is a suggestion I have, that is to reestablish PTA like gatherings. I’d like to add letters at least in theory, for concerned citizens, so PTCCA. We could even have covered dish shindigs and brainstorm on how to inspire and provide opportunities for each family to raise their children to greater heights. I personally like almost any excuse to eat and talk, better yet for a greater purpose, (though not the greater good).
Transparency: I agree that any organization, especially those involving children, should be as transparent as possible. There are times of course that require exceptions, such as to honor the privacy rights of a child or group of children. I can assure the reader that my main concern is the wellbeing of the children. I can also assert that our district does NOT promote hiding concerns about the kids from the parents or vilifying the parents to their kids.
I welcome any inquiries and if it is within my ability I will provide an answer. We have outstanding teachers and staff. However, for the assurance of the parents and myself, I have popped by schools and classrooms unannounced. It has always provided another opportunity to be grateful and impressed with the efforts of the professionals and simultaneously applaud their service. Lastly, please note the following link which contains a spreadsheet of every title in our district’s school libraries. It was compiled in response to the inquiries of a pesky freshman board member (wink wink) and reviewed for any volumes of concern. None were located.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VE_qb.xJ3_MgmRC50bp74LYL233UGfF5v-cbcPz6XPPc/edit?usp=drivesdk
In response to the assertion that there are insufficient finances for our schools, I’m curious to know upon what they based their assertion. Of course, there is always some additional thing upon which money can be spent. But our schools are not lacking. Our students are not deprived.
There may come a day when we have to tighten our belts. But if that time comes, we will utilize the ingenuity birthed in these mountains to do so without sacrificing the quality of the education we provide to each and every child in our district. For highlights of recent renovations for the benefit of the students please review the capital improvements in the August Newsletter referenced above.
As we currently stand, our school district is 3rd out of 131 across the Commonwealth. Virginia schools rank in the top 10, and possibly as high as 3rd out of the 50 states in America. So, we are pretty dog-gone good already. And that is due in large part to the dedication, sacrifice, hard work, and sometimes Herculean efforts of our teachers, aids, support staff, and directors. But we’re not being complacent; we want to prepare our students for greater horizons and satisfaction with their present and their future.
Finally, addressing the topic of limited resources for students’ well-being, both at home and at school, and what I, as a board member, have done to address it. I believe that this topic was largely addressed in an earlier response.
However, some additional information deserves attention. In addition to classroom instruction, study material, and transportation to and from school, every student in our district receives breakfast and lunch free of charge to their families, regardless of income. Even a child who is homeless receives access to the same educational opportunities. Each child receives the use of a Chromebook regardless of ability to pay the security fee upfront. We also obtained a grant, which helped fund the continuation of our Lunchbox 276 program to provide weekend food bags to food-insecure students when school is not in session this school year.
There are multiple local businesses, individuals, church members, and other community groups who partner with our schools to provide particular classroom materials, playground equipment, backpacks, Christmas gifts and more. And of course, the compassion for kids that led most of our teachers and staff into their profession also compels them to make up the difference when a child has a particular addressable need. Most of these solutions predated my term so others should receive the recognition.
What I can offer is a suggestion that we, as members of our community who are managing to stay afloat financially, be intentional about encouraging those who are not. Charity can be a crucial response to a temporary need. But struggling individuals deserve more. If we continually inject money into their circumstances, we usurp their responsibility, undermine their authority and sense of self-worth, quelch gratitude, sow seeds of resentment, and rob them of the pleasure which comes from providing for your own family.
I don’t have all the answers, but what I do know, I am willing to share. We all know deep down that it is more blessed to give than receive. It just feels good to have something to give. Yes, it can be exciting to receive a gift, but when you understand the benefit of earning your own way and are unable to, the excitement wears off. Helping individuals realize they have something to offer and walking alongside them to coordinate them with the right opportunities lasts far longer than a handout.
To state the obvious, I should never write to win friends/votes and influence people after 1:00 am. My apologies for my candor, though not the concepts. (Hate mail can be sent to my email address.)
Thank you for your time and consideration.
In C.,
Stephanie Kern, sitting, working ridiculously hard current District 3 member of the Wise County School Board, asking for your vote to remain in this pivotal position of service.