BISMARCK – A high school math teacher announced Friday he plans to run for North Dakota’s state superintendent of public instruction to “fix education.”
Joseph Chiang, 68, who teaches at Four Winds High School in Fort Totten, will challenge incumbent Kirsten Baesler for the GOP endorsement.
In a statement, Chiang said he is embarrassed about the state’s pass rate and children’s attitudes toward school since “new and improved” changes have been forced onto teachers and students.
“As a teacher I can’t do anything about it. The fix must be lead from the position of Superintendent. It must be fixed by someone who understands there is a problem and how to fix it,” Chiang said.
Chiang, who is also licensed to teach history, has taught for about 20 years.
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Baesler announced earlier this month she will seek a second term. Before winning the 2012 election, she worked for 23 years in Bismarck public schools as a vice principal, library media specialist, classroom teacher and instructional assistant.
Republicans will endorse one of the candidates at their state convention April 1-3 in Fargo.
No Democrats have announced their candidacy for state superintendent.
