1 00:00:00,934 --> 00:00:02,802 Announcer: Seattle School Board. 2 00:00:02,902 --> 00:00:04,104 The Seattle School Board 3 00:00:04,204 --> 00:00:06,039 adopts the policies that govern 4 00:00:06,139 --> 00:00:08,241 Seattle Public Schools. 5 00:00:08,341 --> 00:00:09,843 The board provides direction 6 00:00:09,943 --> 00:00:12,212 for the educational program. 7 00:00:12,312 --> 00:00:13,947 The seven directors represent 8 00:00:14,047 --> 00:00:15,849 different areas of the city. 9 00:00:15,949 --> 00:00:17,751 Directors are nonpartisan 10 00:00:17,851 --> 00:00:20,020 and serve four-year terms. 11 00:00:20,120 --> 00:00:20,854 Just three 12 00:00:20,954 --> 00:00:22,188 of the seven district seats 13 00:00:22,288 --> 00:00:24,557 are up for election this year. 14 00:00:24,657 --> 00:00:26,526 Now, just for the primary, 15 00:00:26,626 --> 00:00:27,660 only those who live 16 00:00:27,761 --> 00:00:29,496 in each school board district 17 00:00:29,596 --> 00:00:30,663 are eligible to vote 18 00:00:30,764 --> 00:00:32,899 for candidates in that district. 19 00:00:32,999 --> 00:00:34,267 The top two vote-getters 20 00:00:34,367 --> 00:00:35,869 in each district will advance 21 00:00:35,969 --> 00:00:37,771 to the general election. 22 00:00:37,871 --> 00:00:39,205 At the general election, 23 00:00:39,305 --> 00:00:40,840 all voters in Seattle 24 00:00:40,940 --> 00:00:42,142 will have the opportunity 25 00:00:42,242 --> 00:00:43,743 to vote for one candidate 26 00:00:43,843 --> 00:00:45,211 from each district. 27 00:00:45,311 --> 00:00:50,350 ♪♪ 28 00:00:50,450 --> 00:00:55,622 ♪♪ 29 00:00:57,057 --> 00:01:00,894 A thriving and just society owes equal opportunity to all, 30 00:01:00,994 --> 00:01:03,196 and that cannot be achieved without quality, 31 00:01:03,296 --> 00:01:04,998 inclusive education. 32 00:01:05,098 --> 00:01:07,934 I know this firsthand as a child of immigrants 33 00:01:08,034 --> 00:01:10,703 who came to the United States with literally nothing, 34 00:01:10,804 --> 00:01:13,339 just $500 in their pockets. 35 00:01:13,440 --> 00:01:14,474 From my beginnings as 36 00:01:14,574 --> 00:01:16,543 an "English as a second language" student 37 00:01:16,643 --> 00:01:19,612 whose hearing disability was identified by a teacher, 38 00:01:19,712 --> 00:01:22,115 I received a quality public education 39 00:01:22,215 --> 00:01:25,318 and I'm the first woman in my family to graduate from college. 40 00:01:25,418 --> 00:01:28,121 Public education transformed my life. 41 00:01:28,221 --> 00:01:29,622 I'm a private-sector professional 42 00:01:29,722 --> 00:01:33,093 with over 15 years of experience in finance and operations 43 00:01:33,193 --> 00:01:35,061 and have a Master's in Business Administration 44 00:01:35,161 --> 00:01:36,729 from Harvard Business School. 45 00:01:36,830 --> 00:01:39,833 For more than 25 years, I've had deep civic engagement 46 00:01:39,933 --> 00:01:41,935 with volunteer work and youth programs, 47 00:01:42,035 --> 00:01:44,604 particularly ones in immigrant communities. 48 00:01:44,704 --> 00:01:46,372 Of most importance to me, 49 00:01:46,473 --> 00:01:49,075 I'm a mother of four children, current and future 50 00:01:49,175 --> 00:01:51,144 Seattle Public School students. 51 00:01:51,244 --> 00:01:52,745 In my capacity, serving on 52 00:01:52,846 --> 00:01:55,315 the superintendent's Parent Advisory Council 53 00:01:55,415 --> 00:01:58,618 and as a PTSA president, I've spent many hours 54 00:01:58,718 --> 00:02:01,588 advocating in partnership with other parents and stakeholders 55 00:02:01,688 --> 00:02:03,556 in local and state forums. 56 00:02:03,656 --> 00:02:05,692 And as I attended more and more school-board meetings, 57 00:02:05,792 --> 00:02:07,794 I realized there was an opportunity for me 58 00:02:07,894 --> 00:02:09,829 to better serve our community. 59 00:02:09,929 --> 00:02:11,731 I bring a diverse background, 60 00:02:11,831 --> 00:02:13,633 finance and management expertise, 61 00:02:13,733 --> 00:02:15,969 and a genuine desire to work collaboratively 62 00:02:16,069 --> 00:02:18,438 for greater opportunity and outcomes. 63 00:02:18,538 --> 00:02:20,106 Among my priorities as director 64 00:02:20,206 --> 00:02:23,042 are making real progress on real inclusion, 65 00:02:23,143 --> 00:02:26,479 establishing mental health as an essential service of schools, 66 00:02:26,579 --> 00:02:29,149 supporting working families with transportation, 67 00:02:29,249 --> 00:02:31,918 and committing to good governance and decision-making 68 00:02:32,018 --> 00:02:33,820 through authentic community engagement 69 00:02:33,920 --> 00:02:36,823 and leveraging my financial and operational skills. 70 00:02:36,923 --> 00:02:38,691 I seek to help our community recover 71 00:02:38,791 --> 00:02:41,628 from the pandemic and become stronger than ever. 72 00:02:41,728 --> 00:02:44,931 I'm proud to be endorsed by the 36th District Democrats, 73 00:02:45,031 --> 00:02:48,301 State Senator Reuven Carlyle, former School Board Directors 74 00:02:48,401 --> 00:02:50,103 Eden Mack and Kay Smith-Blum, 75 00:02:50,203 --> 00:02:52,038 and other community and education leaders 76 00:02:52,138 --> 00:02:53,840 in Seattle and Washington State. 77 00:02:53,940 --> 00:02:55,975 I'd be honored to have your support and vote. 78 00:02:56,075 --> 00:02:57,677 Thank you. 79 00:02:58,244 --> 00:03:03,183 ♪♪ 80 00:03:03,283 --> 00:03:08,354 ♪♪ 81 00:03:09,389 --> 00:03:12,091 Hi. My name is Laura Marie Rivera. 82 00:03:12,192 --> 00:03:15,528 As a mother and a lifelong learner and an educator myself, 83 00:03:15,628 --> 00:03:17,163 I can tell you that I truly believe 84 00:03:17,263 --> 00:03:19,098 in the power of education. 85 00:03:19,199 --> 00:03:20,733 A quality public education 86 00:03:20,833 --> 00:03:23,069 is the greatest gift we can give our children. 87 00:03:23,169 --> 00:03:25,305 It opens up the door for a brighter future 88 00:03:25,405 --> 00:03:28,174 and gives our students the skills they need to succeed. 89 00:03:28,274 --> 00:03:31,311 We owe this to them and to our society as a whole. 90 00:03:31,411 --> 00:03:33,379 As an educator, it is always my goal 91 00:03:33,479 --> 00:03:35,548 to get my students to success. 92 00:03:35,648 --> 00:03:38,017 Now, I know that success may look different for each student, 93 00:03:38,117 --> 00:03:40,153 but they all have so much potential. 94 00:03:40,253 --> 00:03:41,554 Whether I'm teaching a kindergartner 95 00:03:41,654 --> 00:03:43,089 how to write the number five 96 00:03:43,189 --> 00:03:45,258 or a teenager how to do a time step, 97 00:03:45,358 --> 00:03:46,693 it's all about breaking it down 98 00:03:46,793 --> 00:03:48,595 into manageable pieces. 99 00:03:48,695 --> 00:03:51,264 "Down, around, across," 100 00:03:51,364 --> 00:03:54,234 or, "Stamp, hop, step, flap ball change." 101 00:03:54,334 --> 00:03:57,570 See? And you can't help but smile when you get it right. 102 00:03:57,670 --> 00:04:00,840 This is the success that I want all of our students to have -- 103 00:04:00,940 --> 00:04:02,108 a quality education 104 00:04:02,208 --> 00:04:04,510 and the best prospects for their future. 105 00:04:04,611 --> 00:04:06,079 This includes opening up the options 106 00:04:06,179 --> 00:04:08,147 for more technical schools and opportunities 107 00:04:08,248 --> 00:04:11,251 with our local businesses, innovators, and the arts. 108 00:04:11,351 --> 00:04:13,386 All services must be delivered equitably 109 00:04:13,486 --> 00:04:16,889 and effectively, 100 percent inclusive, and center 110 00:04:16,990 --> 00:04:19,325 on each individual student's needs. 111 00:04:19,425 --> 00:04:21,694 Educational justice may be the most important 112 00:04:21,794 --> 00:04:23,062 issue of our time. 113 00:04:23,162 --> 00:04:24,631 Without solving this public crisis, 114 00:04:24,731 --> 00:04:26,466 we cannot give our students their best shot 115 00:04:26,566 --> 00:04:28,034 at the American dream. 116 00:04:28,134 --> 00:04:29,902 Just like teaching in the classroom, 117 00:04:30,003 --> 00:04:33,039 we need to break down these systems into manageable pieces 118 00:04:33,139 --> 00:04:35,408 and create a structure that can work for all. 119 00:04:35,508 --> 00:04:37,443 As a family with special challenges, 120 00:04:37,543 --> 00:04:40,113 we have learned how difficult it can be to navigate the system 121 00:04:40,213 --> 00:04:42,015 and advocate for your child. 122 00:04:42,115 --> 00:04:44,917 I would like to use my experiences as a parent, 123 00:04:45,018 --> 00:04:47,220 a teacher, and a member of our community 124 00:04:47,320 --> 00:04:49,856 to advocate for all of our children. 125 00:04:49,956 --> 00:04:53,793 This attention to our students means graduation and success. 126 00:04:53,893 --> 00:04:56,396 If I'm elected as a Seattle School Board Director, 127 00:04:56,496 --> 00:04:58,398 I pledge to listen and to learn 128 00:04:58,498 --> 00:05:01,334 and to make the best possible choices for our students. 129 00:05:01,434 --> 00:05:02,902 I'm Laura Marie Rivera, 130 00:05:03,002 --> 00:05:05,438 and I would be proud to have your vote. 131 00:05:06,306 --> 00:05:07,674 My name is Erin Dury, 132 00:05:07,774 --> 00:05:10,743 and I was recently appointed to the Seattle School Board 133 00:05:10,843 --> 00:05:14,547 to ensure our schools truly serve all students. 134 00:05:14,647 --> 00:05:17,183 I am a changemaker with a proven track record 135 00:05:17,283 --> 00:05:20,353 of system change through centering community voice. 136 00:05:20,453 --> 00:05:22,955 I'm a proud single mom and, until my appointment, 137 00:05:23,056 --> 00:05:25,625 served as a regional PTSA leader 138 00:05:25,725 --> 00:05:29,362 representing Northwest Seattle and a classroom volunteer. 139 00:05:29,462 --> 00:05:31,197 I've dedicated my career to children 140 00:05:31,297 --> 00:05:32,965 and families, leading a statewide 141 00:05:33,066 --> 00:05:35,101 court-appointed special advocate program 142 00:05:35,201 --> 00:05:37,904 to advocate for youth and child welfare, 143 00:05:38,004 --> 00:05:41,441 and a Seattle help line supporting vulnerable families. 144 00:05:41,541 --> 00:05:44,644 Now, as a consultant, I help nonprofits break down 145 00:05:44,744 --> 00:05:47,413 racially based structures and barriers. 146 00:05:47,513 --> 00:05:50,983 My goal is to build a citywide educational community 147 00:05:51,084 --> 00:05:52,885 with a commitment to transparency 148 00:05:52,985 --> 00:05:55,355 and continuous communication. 149 00:05:55,455 --> 00:05:57,957 We must listen carefully to the voices of youth 150 00:05:58,057 --> 00:06:00,693 and families in order to create educational programs 151 00:06:00,793 --> 00:06:03,930 that serve individual learning and growth needs. 152 00:06:04,030 --> 00:06:06,132 Together, we can ensure that every student leaves 153 00:06:06,232 --> 00:06:10,203 Seattle Public Schools confident in their value and abilities. 154 00:06:10,303 --> 00:06:12,472 With your support, I will continue to center 155 00:06:12,572 --> 00:06:15,742 our educational priorities and policies 156 00:06:15,842 --> 00:06:18,478 to focus on making education accessible 157 00:06:18,578 --> 00:06:20,380 and targeted to all students, 158 00:06:20,480 --> 00:06:22,582 particularly Black and brown students, 159 00:06:22,682 --> 00:06:24,751 students furthest from Educational Justice, 160 00:06:24,851 --> 00:06:27,887 students with disability, and LGBTQ youth 161 00:06:27,987 --> 00:06:30,423 who have been systematically marginalized. 162 00:06:30,523 --> 00:06:31,991 As a school district and city, 163 00:06:32,091 --> 00:06:34,861 we must protect and uplift those most at risk 164 00:06:34,961 --> 00:06:36,229 falling through the cracks 165 00:06:36,329 --> 00:06:39,565 while reforming structures that marginalize or exclude. 166 00:06:39,665 --> 00:06:41,300 In an innovative city like Seattle, 167 00:06:41,401 --> 00:06:43,469 I know we can do better and do right 168 00:06:43,569 --> 00:06:45,271 by the students from all walks of life 169 00:06:45,371 --> 00:06:46,672 and lived experience. 170 00:06:46,773 --> 00:06:47,774 Thank you.