Did you know that in 2019, I ran for public office? Richland School District One, my alma mater district, had a vacancy on the School Board. In a special election, held on December 31st– you read that right, New Year’s Eve, I along with four other candidates sought to fill the void in leadership and campaigned for the seat on the Board. It was a hard-fought campaign and I came in second.
Most recently, I had to make a tough decision about whether I would run again. The vacant seat is set to expire and is on the ballot for the November election along with three other seats. I decided not to seek an election during this cycle. I still have a heart for education and believe it’s important for educators to be a part of the decision-making process that impacts policies and procedures in our schools but decided that it was best to use my advocacy and leadership in other capacities.
First and foremost, as a parent. With two children ages three and six, I, along with every other parent, is learning how to navigate COVID-19 and the teaching and learning process for our children. My husband and I thought it was best to have our children participate in remote learning for this academic school year. Therefore, I am diligently working to create a new normal yet fun, engaging, and meaningful academic experience for our children in the safety of our home.
This effort does not stop with only my children. I am working to help as many parents and families as possible by meeting the needs of their children as well. I created a virtual online academy that provides step-by-step lessons, videos, activities, resources, and content for learners ages seven and under. Additionally, I have partnered with Carolinas Competitive Edge Tutoring to provide quality tutoring services to children in North and South Carolinas.
Due to the unexpected nature of the impact of the Coronavirus, Winthrop University, along with other institutions of higher learning, are experiencing paramount challenges that benefit from consistency in leadership. I will continue to serve on the Board of Trustees to ensure that my beloved alma mater makes it through these unprecedented times in the best shape possible that will allow it to continue to operate in excellence for our community of learners.
There are great candidates seeking to run for the open seats on the Richland One School Board of Commissioners and I look forward to learning about their platforms and supporting their efforts. I implore you to get involved with the process of selecting the person you think best represents your ideals to serve in elected capacities. The November election is a critical one that will shape the direction of our cities, states, and nation for years to come.
Stay tuned for my top ten tips on how you can best support your candidate with their campaign.
Until next time,
XOXO