Belen Rodas knows a thing or two about education. A professed professional student, she holds degrees from Amherst and Georgetown. She’s also a teacher who works with some of our public schools’ most challenging students. She’s running for School Board in Spotsylvania in the Chancellorsville district. She recently spent an hour with FXBG Advance to talk about herself and her run for office.
FXBG Advance: Tell our readers a bit about who you are.
Belen Rodas: We moved to Spotsylvania County in 2018, and we came here specifically because of my work as a dance therapist in the school system.
I was raised in Arlington, where I attended public schools. From there I went to Amherst. In 2004, we moved to Fauquier County
We found our way to Spotsylvania because I was earning my credential as a dance therapist. As a part of that process, I had to do an organizational analysis of how dance would help an organization. I chose Fauquier County Schools and created this dream job. What I didn’t know is that the job already existed in Spotsylvania.
Vickie Wilder opened the door to Spotsylvania by accepting me as an intern. She then retired, and I stepped into her job.
FXBG Advance: How was your experience teaching in Spotsylvania?
BR: I loved my students and colleagues. My experience was really great. The atmosphere has changed, however. The leadership has changed; but I still believe in the strengths of our division.
FXBG Advance: What is dance therapy?
BR: It’s often used in residential psychiatric units to help people who are struggling greatly.
In Spotsylvania, I use it with students who were mostly nonverbal and autistic. I was supporting their educational goals. They responded very well to dance, which allows them to connect via movement. It’s a powerful way to help nonverbal people.
My job as a dance therapist is super fun. We get the most-challenging kids. These kids are in self-contained with severe physical and mental issues. It’s both very challenging and very gratifying to make that connection with a student who doesn’t typically make strong connections.
The most important thing I do is to show up every day regardless of what happens. I’ve had my share of injuries over the years when our students get frustrated.
FXBG Advance: Why are you running for School Board? It sounds like you really enjoy the classroom.
BR: Like most people, I took for granted that I could ignore the school board for most of my life. I took it for granted that boards would have the best interests of the children in mind.
As I got plugged in during the pandemic, I started paying more attention.
My breakout moment came when I heard a board member supporting the burning and banning of books.
Once that happened, I asked who would run? I agreed to volunteer and to knock on every door in the district to help the right person get elected.
At the time, I was districted in the Courtland District (I’ve since been redistricted into Chancellor.) Last year on my anniversary, I heard my then-representative, Rahbi Abuismail, say that if anyone is curious about his votes he wanted people to ask him.
I took him at his word.
I sent Rahbi one very polite email with three questions. He did not respond. I sent that email a total of 22 times with the same three questions. I never got a response. I only dropped it after I was redistricted out of the Courtland District.
FXBG Advance: So now you’re in Chancellor, and you learn that Dawn Shelley is no longer running. Did you decide to run then?
BR: No. When I found out Dawn was not running, I again volunteered and asked to help whoever was running.
When it came time to collect signatures, no one was running. So I decided to do it.
I worked so hard that at one point, one of my children told me to take a break and rest. I said, “the only way I can sleep on Nov. 8 is if I do everything I can to save public education.”
It wasn’t my intention to seek office.
FXBG Advance: From your experience inside the schools, are things going in the wrong direction?
BR: I think so. Working with SPED students, I see how we have plenty of classes without certified teachers. I see the lack of speech therapy services, and I was aware at one time that some parents weren’t aware their kids weren’t receiving subpar services because of the lack of support. Instead, their kids were getting virtual speech therapy. That’s not the best way to deliver speech for someone who is nonverbal.
Further, I read in the Free Lance-Star about how 600 kids at Chancellor High school were taking math and English virtual classes because they lacked certified teachers in the classroom.
That is the challenge. And in the midst of this storm, we have a board leadership that has shut out three representatives from the process.
FXBG Advance: How will you handle things should you win but the extremists continue to hold the majority?
BR: I am willing to talk to, collaborate, work with, problem-solve with anyone working in the best interests of our children. If I don’t have a good-faith partner, that’s going to be a challenge.
If I work with people whom I disagree about policies, but we share a common goal like helping kids succeed, we’re good. That’s not what’s happening now.
FXBG Advance: And if you win and the extremists are out of power?
BR: The teacher shortage has to be highest priority should I win. That’s a need we must address.
I think the exodus of teachers we are seeing currently is about leadership.
You can pay teachers badly, or treat teachers badly. You can’t do both.
Spotsylvania has never paid well, but we had leadership that trusted us and treated us well. Now, our educators are getting attacked on both sides.
It shouldn’t be a radical notion that your schools support you. Today, teachers are attacked and punished for speaking out.
The school division is a bad boss right now. Changing that piece – communicating to your staff that you support them – will slow down that exodus. It’s the only way we’re going to get enough teachers in our classroom.
FXBG Advance: And what about Mark Taylor?
BR: I was against the hiring of Mark Taylor. Once he was hired, however, I hoped that he would be successful.
I worked in the schools, I have kids in this school system. I was ready to help him. He has shown, however, that he is not up to the task, that he wasn’t the best choice for this position.
You can pay teachers badly, or treat teachers badly. You can’t do both.
Spotsylvania has never paid well, but we had leadership that trusted us and treated us well. Now, our educators are getting attacked on both sides.
It shouldn’t be a radical notion that your schools support you.
That said, the way that school board fired Dr. Baker with no plan for what to do, that was not a decision that was good. They didn’t make a decision in the best interest of our schools. There was no plan, no transparency.
Mark Taylor’s record merits looking at and asking if he is the right man for the job. Whatever decision is reached, it must be a decision that serves our schools. We can’t just fire him because we can, just to make a show of power.
FXBG Advance: What sets you apart from your candidate?
BR: My experience in the schools. I’ve been in a lot of classrooms, and I have a much better understanding of the challenges facing teachers. I have a master’s degree in public policy and education policy. I’m qualified to look at data and research and understand it and use it to make good decisions for our schools.
My biggest strength, however, is that I can have a conversation with anybody.
All most people want is to be heard so that someone understands where they are coming from.
