Nominee's Key Links:
Bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/psg96/
Writing or Publications: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yoFefnKStipccLioQ8d3GMUwI_1X5p1h/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110864620445641601277&rtpof=true&sd=true
Website: N/A
Socials: https://www.facebook.com/pietros.geraci/videos_by
Agency or agencies for which nominator feels nominee is best suited:
Organization name(s) and position(s) for which nominator feels nominee is best suited:
N/A
Policies which the nominator knows the nominee supports or in which they have expertise:
I support laissez faire policies across all areas. I believe parents should have a greater say in how their children are educated, and in the subjects they're educated in. Parents should have accessible choices between public, private, and charter schools, home schooling, unschooling, and other methods of education. I have expertise in the field of education, having witnessed first-hand how government mismanagement has caused drastic declines in academics and in preparation for adult life.
We need to ensure public school receive adequate funding while meeting certain standards. To that end, we should adopt the Scandinavian model, which features highly-paid teachers, little to no homework or testing in the lower grades, learning foreign languages from a young age, and a holistic approach which focuses on collaboration and autonomy. This model is among the highest-ranked in the world, and should be adopted in the United States. John Dewey envisioned education as learning by doing, with the students placed as the main drivers of their education, and the teacher serving as their guide and mentor. This is already being partially implemented with the Next Generation Science Standards, and should be expanded across all public school curricula.
I also support reducing the regulatory and tax burdens on middle class families, bringing the troops home, and resolving the crisis on the border. Government spending must be reduced. I want to improve access to healthcare by allowing the import of foreign medications and permitting people from purchasing insurance across state lines.
We should pursue peaceful diplomatic solutions with China, Russia, and North Korea, while remaining vigilant and ready to defend America and her allies if need be.
Nominator's thoughts on what would make this nominee a valuable member of a future Trump Unity Government
1) Is Competent ...I have several years of teaching experience. Nearly all my observed lessons have met or exceeded expectations, and my students were well-prepared for the Earth Science Regents Exams. In addition, I built up my county Libertarian Party affiliate, which ran candidates for public office in recent years and is running a candidate for a local mayorship next year. I'm a quick learner and I work at a task until it is done and done well. I have great attention to detail and I'm a self-starter. As Outreach Director for the Libertarian Party of New York, I'm working with county affiliates to activate residents and effect meaningful change in their communities - change that will restore power (and money) to the people, where it belongs.
2) Is Honest...As an Eagle Scout, I cannot tell a lie. I've been described as too honest, unafraid to be blunt about what needs to be done and unabashed in my opinions. I will always tell the truth to the public and be transparent in my activities and the activities of whichever department I am working in.
3) Is Respectful ...I'm a teacher: of course I respect my students! I constantly make myself available for after-school help, and I listen to feedback from students and parents. After all, they are the largest stakeholders in education, and I give them the say they deserve. Even if I have to call home regarding a student's behavior, I try to end on a positive note, such as upcoming assignments or good academic progress. I am also respectful when speaking up at town/city board meetings, sticking to the facts instead of mindless insults towards the officials before me.
4) Has Integrity ...I stick with my values, regardless of whom I am speaking to or what the opinion du jure is. Integrity is a must as a teacher - if students think you're not being real with them or see you as immoral, then they will turn on you and obstruct every step of the learning process. Losing the trust of students and parents dooms any teacher's career, but I don't concern myself with that prospect because I am always myself around them; there is no facade, students and parents know what to expect when they walk in the classroom. This integrity carries over to my political activism. My integrity helped me get elected and then re-elected as Chair and later Vice-Chair of my county affiliate, elected and then re-elected to the Libertarian Party of New York State Committee, elected and then re-elected to the Libertarian Party of New York Executive Committee, and selected as a three-time delegate to the Libertarian National Convention. As you can see at https://www.recordonline.com/search/?q=pietro+geraci and at https://www.timeshudsonvalley.com/stories/fred-and-peanut,148370?, my values and my views have remained consistent, never shifting for any sort of expediency. I am firm in my principles, and I will apply these principles in my work for the Trump Administration if hired.
5) Has Courage ...Putting on the aforementioned Jacobson lecture at Vassar took a lot of courage. I also criticize the leadership of the Libertarian Party at times, even though that has led to harassment and insults. I'm not afraid to stand up for what's right, even if I have to stand alone. I believe my op-eds in the Mid-Hudson Times and Times-Herald Record demonstrate my courage to make controversial yet accurate statements, and to take any negative reactions in stride. Evidence of this is available at https://www.timeshudsonvalley.com/browse.html?content_source=archive&search_filter=pietro+geraci&page_size=20&search_filter_mode=and&sub_type=stories%2Cobituaries&page=1, which includes me responding to one of the naysayers.
6) Has a Proven Record...I have a proven track record of leadership: Pipe Corporal and then Pipe Sargeant and Secretary of the Orange County Firefighters Pipes and Drums, Chair of the Orange County New York Libertarian Party from 2019 until 2022 and Vice-Chair thereafter, and LPNY State Committee and Executive Committee member from 2020-2022 and from September 2024 to present. Read more about me at https://lpedia.org/wiki/Pietro_Geraci. I led the charge against towns and cities opting out of legal cannabis sales, planned tabling events, improved our outreach to the public, helped on several campaigns, and have traveled as much as several hours to help table. I have assisted other county affiliates at their tabling events, including an affiliate in Pennsylvania, and I helped the LPNY table at the NYS Fair. I helped shape the operations of the LPNY, and I've gathered hundreds of signatures for Libertarian candidates.
I also have a proven track record of successful lesson observations and successful preparation of students for the Earth Science Regents Exam. I have received emails from students and parents thanking me for my work and telling me how much fun the student had in my class.
Additionally, I had to lead the pipe band in one of our parades. We won first place, despite only having two pipes, two snare drummers, and one bass drummer. I have also led practice and conducted lessons for beginners.