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Editor’s note: The Journal today completes its profiles for the Albuquerque Public Schools election on Feb. 5. Next week: Central New Mexico Community College board races.
Steven Michael Quezada
AGE: 48
EDUCATION: Graduate of West Mesa High School
OCCUPATION: Actor, writer, producer, comedian
FAMILY: Wife: Cherise Quezada. Daughters: Analisa Quezada, Reina Quezada. Stepchildren: Leroy Montoya, Renee Montoya.
POLITICAL/GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE: None
MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Actor in a critically acclaimed TV series, Breaking Bad; five-time recipient of the New Mexico Hispano’s Entertainers Association Comedian of the Year award.
MAJOR PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: First and foremost, husband and father. I’ve also long supported Youth Development Inc., helping them and other New Mexico-based children’s nonprofit organization fund-raise.
1. Do you support efforts to evaluate teachers partly on the basis of their students’ test score improvement? Why or why not?
I am concerned when assessments are tied to high-stakes standardized tests and feel that increasing classroom observation of teachers and their methods to meet agreed-upon standards (different from standardized testing) will prove more effective.
2. Do you support charter schools and the expansion of the charter school movement in Albuquerque? Why or why not?
I support charter schools and their expansion because I believe that the children of Albuquerque should have alternatives and opportunities to explore specialized training and education. This, in my experience, keeps students engaged and graduating.
3. As a school board member, would you be willing to conduct all board business on a public email address? Why or why not?
Yes, transparency is very important to me.
4. Do you support a state law mandating retention of third-graders who test below grade level in reading? Why or why not?
We must address learning challenges children face long before third grade and not make everything focused on the child’s performance on a standardized test. I support focusing on early childhood development over mandatory state flunking.
5. Please give your evaluation of Superintendent Winston Brooks’ performance.
I am interested in learning more about his vision for reforming education so we improve student performance, keep classrooms small, and fairly compensate teachers and educational assistants.
6. Describe your approach and priorities in setting the APS budget.
Fundamentally, I believe education dollars should be dedicated to teachers and classrooms as opposed to administration. I am interested in how we more fairly distribute school resources across the district.
7. What district policies, if any, would you wish to change or enact if elected to the board?
Focus more resources on classrooms, support our teachers, work more cooperatively with charter schools and make sure all schools in the district are treated the same.
8. What is the biggest problem facing APS?
Obtaining adequate state funding for education, oversized classrooms, closing the achievement gap and declining graduation rates.
9. Have you or your business, if you are a business owner, ever been the subject of any state or federal tax liens?
No.
10. Have you ever been involved in a personal or business bankruptcy proceeding?
No.
11. Have you ever been arrested for, charged with, or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony in New Mexico or any other state? If so, explain.
I pleaded guilty to a DWI charge in 1998; two additional DWI charges were dismissed in 2001 and 2002. Thanks to my family and strict DWI laws in New Mexico, which I support, I turned my life around.
— This article appeared on page C2 of the Albuquerque Journal
