Debbie Critchfield

Debbie Critchfield was born in Ogden, Utah. Critchfield earned a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University in 1993. Her career experience includes working as the public information officer for the Cassia County School District.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am the former President of the Idaho State Board of Education and seven-year board member. I served as Chair of the Policy and Planning Committee, and the Instructional, Research and Student Affairs Committee. I was a member of the State's Accountability and Oversight committee and chaired the Board’s Audit Committee. I was Co-Chair to Governor Little’s Education Task Force and committee chair for Governor Otter’s Higher Education Task Force. I served as a school board member in Cassia County for ten years, five as chair, and was on the executive committee for the Idaho School Board's Association as a regional chair. I chaired the Re-Opening Idaho Schools committee and was a member of Governor Little's K-12 council. Adding to my long service in education, I served on Idaho's dual credit and technology task forces. Active in my community, I am a former Library Trustee, Arts Council president and Republican precinct chairman. I worked for the College of Southern Idaho as a GED instructor and have been the Public Information Officer for Cassia School District for the last 9 years. I started my journey in education as a substitute teacher for 6 years. My husband, David, and I are a fourth-generation farm family. We live in Oakley, where we raised our four children. We are proud grandparents to two little boys.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Developing Skills/Job Ready: Our students must be prepared to meet the demands of the 21st century. That means access to the skills, resources and credentials that are needed to not only succeed, but to thrive. We are responsible for developing self-governing adults who can manage their personal and financial decisions. I believe emphasizing and expanding our career and technical training is how we educate for independence. We want students who can create, think, and solve problems.Required Graduation Class for Financial Literacy: One of the priority pieces of my overall vision for Idaho students rests on skills development for job readiness and a focus on personal finance, also known as financial literacy. Our kids need to be taught how taxes, health insurance, credit scores, interest, and loans work, among other important financial skills. The time to learn about retirement plans should be before our students enter the workforce, not when they realize they need one several years into their careers. These are different skills than what is presented in an algebra or economics class and they apply to each and every student, regardless of their decisions after graduation.Parent Engagement: Strengthening the role and responsibility of parents has to include providing meaningful opportunities for parent participation in the decision-making of their child’s education at home and at school. What would happen if we empowered parents to engage in their child's learning, while supporting the professional educator? We would spark a generation of skilled and confident learners ready for the opportunities around them.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Workforce Readiness

Literacy

Math Readiness

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

Education touches on everything. It's how we develop our future leaders. It's how we maintain our Republic. Education is not an outcome. It’s the way in which we prepare our students and protect our form of government. The State Superintendent must lead in these efforts and support good local decision making. The State Superintendent has a duty to follow the Constitutional role and be the first advocate and champion for quality education.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to people who are honest and kind. I admire someone who knows how to lead with grace and still get the job done.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty

Transparency

Shows Up

Problem Solver

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am a problem solver. I listen to understand and then act. I am thoughtful about my approach and seek input. I am not ego driven and hold everyone around me and myself to a high standard. I respect people and when I disagree can still show respect. I am a worker. I am the first to show up and the last to leave. I am a leader that others want to work with. I am honest with high integrity. I don't look to be expedient, I seek to do right.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember my parents being very worried about Jimmy Carter becoming president. I was 7 or 8 and this seemed very concerning to me since they were so upset about it. I remember talking to my friends about it and they looked at me like I was from Mars!

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I was the neighborhood babysitter! I was the oldest of 5 children and had lots of experience to share. I did this until I could drive and then started working at a frozen yogurt shop.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

I always loved Nancy Drew! She was smart and knew who she was, what her talents were and wasn't afraid to follow her instincts. She had reliable friends and a supportive parent. I felt a kinship in some ways to her. I loved reading about her adventures and her perseverance to find the truth.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I experienced cancer about 10 years ago. I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had 18 months of treatment that included a bi-lateral mastectomy, chemo, radiation and reconstruction. I learned strength and resolve in ways that I never thought possible.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

Establish and carry out a vision

Advocate for Students

Advocate for Parents

Develop relationships of trust

Partner for strong local decision making

Support

Direct resources

Prioritize Goals

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

I do because experience, where it counts, leads to improved results.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Leadership

Experience

Honesty

Hardworking

Listening

Action Oriented

Collaborative

Problem Solver