Senator Dori Connor brings the perspective of an experienced educator to Dover. A retired teacher, Sen. Connor was elected to fill the seat of her late husband, the late Sen. Bob Connor in 1997. Together, the Senators Connor have served the people of New Castle, Bear, and the entire 12th Senatorial District for over 37 years.

Senator Connor is a full time legislator and serves on seven committees. She is the senior Republican senator on the Children, Youth and Families, Natural Resources and Environment Control, and Labor and Industrial Relations Committees. She is also a charter member of the Legislative Kids Caucus and an active member of the National Conference of State Legislatures.
 

Well, as a teacher I had to walk the walk, so to speak. What we do in Dover impacts individual classrooms and students. Having been there I saw how legislation can make things more challenging for a teacher. Legislators working on children’s issues and education need to step back and ask “how does this impact the teacher? Are we giving them the tools they need to do what they need to do? Are we taking some of the time they need to work with kids?” I can help my colleagues understand that perspective. When I was in the classroom I taught kids from kindergarten through fifth grade. This was prior to the DSTP-era. Some things have changed since then. But children still come with issues that are not always easy to identify. But the services teachers provide are really as important as ever.


Do you miss the classroom?

I go back. I brought the national Legislators Back to School Week to my district and visited 40 classrooms in one week. I loved working with the kids again, and showing them what a legislator does. We had great conversations. The students loved discussing the pros and cons of various proposals. One was the indoor smoking bill – children with asthma were thanking me for going to restaurants more comfortably. They also recognized the importance of seat belt laws. Kids give clear, direct answers. All legislators should spend time in the schools. I learned from the kids as much as I gave.


What are the children’s issues you are paying particular attention to?

Having been in front of the class so often, I know how important class size is to providing a quality learning environment. When a teacher can't afford to give individual attention to students in need, the whole learning environment is impacted. Additional adults in the classroom would make a great difference – whether that is a paraprofessional or volunteer parent. Involved parents are a teacher's best friend and they are greatly appreciated. With the option for full-day kindergarten in some districts now being available, excellent progress has been made. While full-day kindergarten is not mandated, most children are telling their parents that they enjoy staying the full day. There are so many success stories there.

But there is a lot that needs to be done for Delaware kids before they reach school age. Infant mortality is very present in the minds of our Legislative Kids Caucus. Preventative care is so important and understanding that fact must be passed on from generation to generation. Of course, early education and pre-k are vital. The developmental track of a child is laid out from birth to age four. As an educator, that was engrained in me and I found that to be the truth. We need to provide a safe, welcoming environment for these children. Safe at all times. Quality early care is really important – and I believe it saves the state money. The dollars we put into the front end, we do not have to spend on the back end.


You mentioned the legislative Kids Caucus. Tell me more about the group.

One of the most enjoyable parts of my service as a legislator is working on the Caucus. Most of us are female and parents – we all bring our forte and perspectives to the plate. (Rep.) Melanie George Marshall got this wonderful group stated and it just took off. The university fellows doing the staff work have been marvelous. Early childhood issues are central and we stay focused on the early years. We are providing information and connecting people in the community because there is so much happening.


As a full-time legislator, do you miss teaching?

When asked if I miss teaching, I say I still am. My students are just taller!