Southeast Polk School Board Candidate: Whitney Smith McIntosh
I am a 40ish mother of 3 “adult” children, became an Iowa transplant in 2004 and an Altoonanite May of 2007. My two oldest graduated from the Bondurant school district and my youngest will graduate from SEP this May after 12 years in the district. Throughout those 12 years I have worked for my sons success through over 18 IEP meetings, 5 years of home room mom holiday parties, PTA meetings, 22 and counting school confreres, and for the past 3 years been an active band mom. I am currently on the board of a large non-profit in Iowa and am an active youth volunteer for our family church of Saints John and Paul. With 15+ years in Human Resources, 3+ years as an Adjunct Professor at DMACC, a Master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Psychology and an honorable discharge from the US Army I will add my temperament, passion, educational background and experience working with youth and organizations to the South East Polk School Board.
Question #1: Why are you running for this seat?
I learned throughout my life that it is imperative to take action as opposed to standing on the sideline or even worse ignoring the need for action. As a veteran, volunteer, and a public servant, serving on the School Board will be an amazing opportunity to invest in the success of our youth and help bring fresh and different ideas to the board.
Southeast Polk School Board Candidate Q & A
Whitney Smith McIntosh
Question #2). What will you be contributing to this role that will provide a positive impact?
Some of my contributions will be bringing a new perspective to the board. As a biracial person, I will be able to lend my experience bridging cultures and will bring a more robust understanding of diversity to the board. I subscribe to responsible, open decision making and communication. I have earned a Master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology which is the scientific study of human behavior in organizations. This specialty focuses on principles of individual, group and organizational behavior, and applies this knowledge to the solving of problems.