ABOUT REBECCA BEHRENDS
Dr. Rebecca Behrends, MD, is a retired physician and a 24-year resident of Commerce Township. She believes it is the responsibility of the current generation to give back to the next. Rebecca is deeply committed to the academic success of all students in Walled Lake Schools.
I have cared for many children and youth in my 30 years of medical practice, with 18 of those years working for the DMC at Huron Valley Sinai Hospital in Commerce Township. I have seen the successes and struggles of my extended family members in their K-12 educational experiences. I have a particular concern about literacy and the fact that over 40% of students in third grade are not reading at grade level in some district schools. This affected me in a personal way when I discovered that a niece of mine could not read well in middle school. Her teachers and counselor assured me that all was well and that she would always be able to “get help” if she had issues with reading. That never happened. She was given a pat on the back and “socially promoted” to the next grade. I learned that my niece was not alone in her struggles with literacy. Far from it. The question is why?
This prompted me to start attending school board meetings several years ago. I have engaged with the Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services and the previous Superintendent through emails and conversations about reading curricula. I still have not received adequate responses about why so many children are lagging behind in literacy. I believe we have excellent teachers. Is the problem in the methods and curricula they are using? This has to be looked at very seriously if we are to fix the problem.
I want to lend my skills and life experiences to create pathways to academic excellence and improvement in literacy for our students. I am a problem solver and analytical in my approach to issues. Students must come first in all the deliberations of school board members and I want to be part of the team that ensures this focus.
I believe that as a school board member, it should be a top priority to reach out to parents and teachers to learn what their problems and needs are. And to be a voice for them to the district administration so that solutions can be found.
I believe these are some of the main issues that need to be addressed in the Walled Lake School District:
1. The need to improve literacy and math scores so our youth are well
prepared for a college education or training in a trade.
2. Ensure the safety of our students.
3. Declining student enrollment paired with a shortage of teachers.
4. Career and Technical Education
5. Special Needs
6. Ensure that our top performing students are rigorously challenged and not forgotten in our drive to help students with special needs.
7. Providing a better work environment for our teachers by encouraging respect for them from our students.
I grew up in an era when student achievement was the goal first and foremost and respect for teachers was paramount. We need to re-instill these values.
It’s time to get Back to Basics and get to work to bring common sense solutions into our school district. I commit to being the voice of parents in the community to get the job done! With your vote, we can make this great school district even better and put our children on the path to a brighter future!
Education and Work Experience
-Undergraduate degree in Microbiology (1975), Brigham Young University
-MD degree, University of Michigan (1979)
-Internship and Residency- Good Samaritan Hospital, Phoenix, AZ
-University of Oklahoma, OKC, OK
-American College of Emergency Medicine - Board Certified
-Emergency Physician with DMC at Huron Valley Hospital - retired 2018
-Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine- Wayne State University
-President of Women’s Organization - LDS church
-Volunteer services for humanitarian needs locally and worldwide-LDS services
-Election Inspector 2022 midterm election in Detroit