potential. nor a bigger bureaucracy, tougher mandates, or a federal agency. the answer is local control and listening to parents, students and teachers. for nearly three decades, i've been involved in education as a volunteer and advocate for children and a voice for parentparent s. i've worked as an in-school mentor in the grand rapids public schools and had the privilege of interacting with parents, families and teachers in ways that have changed my life and perspective about education forever. i've worked with governors, legislators and business and community leaders to expand educational opportunity through options that are making a lifetime of difference for hundreds of thousands of kids this year alone. and i've worked with many dead ka dedicated teachers who strive every day to help students achieve, fulfill their potential and the global challenges they will face. for me, it's simple.