Kristina M. Cecere Runs For Fairfax City School Board: 2024 Candidate

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Kristina M. Cecere

Position sought

School Board

Age (as of Election Day)

Campaign Website

www.cecere4fairfax.com.

City elections are traditionally non-partisan and candidates must run as independents, according to both the city charter and the Code of Virginia. No party affiliation or “mark” will appear next to any of the candidates’ names on the Nov. 5 ballot. Have you been endorsed by a recognized political party or have you aligned yourself with a group of candidates representing themselves as independent, non-partisan candidates, including candidates running in other city races? Please check the answer that is most appropriate.

Please elaborate on your answer to the previous question and explain how this will affect the way you will serve on the school board.

As a teacher at Fairfax High School, I prioritized creating a safe and welcoming environment for all students, regardless of their background, race, ethnicity, gender, or ability. As a school board member, I am committed to bringing that same dedication to supporting our public schools. I will uphold these values and make decisions based on what is best for our educational community, ensuring that every student has a supportive and equitable learning experience.

How does your status as described in the two previous questions help Fairfax City voters choose a candidate that aligns with their particular political beliefs?

My focus on creating safe, high-quality schools and supporting every student is something I believe resonates across all political beliefs. I’m committed to equity, open dialogues, and allowing my decisions to be made with the best interests of our students, educators, and families in mind. As a school board member, my goal is to make sure every student gets the support they need.

Names, ages and any pertinent details you wish to share about your family.

I’m grateful to have the support of my husband (James) for over 15 years, my two children who are students in our city’s elementary and high schools, and my extended family that lives in the area. It is with their love and support that I embark on this journey.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you are a candidate in.

No.

Education

B.S. from Clemson University; M.Ed. from George Mason University; M.P.P. from Georgetown University

Occupation – Please include years of experience.

Teacher, 12 years; Data Specialist, 1 year

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Political Office

N/A

Why are you seeking elective office?

I’m deeply committed to making our schools the best they can be. When I joined the Fairfax High School staff as a math teacher in 2011, I fell in love with this community and knew it was where I wanted to raise my children. As they’ve grown up in our city schools, my desire to improve our educational system has only intensified. Having grown up near poverty and become a first-generation college graduate, I understand the transformative power of a supportive public school environment. At Fairfax High, I worked alongside instructional leaders to redesign the advisory period to better serve our students. As a PTA volunteer, I reestablished after-school enrichment programs at Providence Elementary after the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, I’m seeking office because I’m dedicated to working with FCPS to ensure our students and teachers have the best environment and resources we can provide them.

The single most pressing issue facing voters is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

During this election cycle, the single most pressing issue facing voters is ensuring our school buildings are a safe and supportive learning environment for our students. This is why I fully support the bond referendum on the ballot that will update the elementary schools, as we need to update our schools to meet the evolving needs from school safety to new technologies. This is only one of the many issues our schools have faced over the last decade, including a teacher shortage crisis, COVID-19 learning loss, and equitable access, notably for our special education students. As your next school board member, I will work with FCPS to address these issues effectively.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I don’t believe there are any “critical differences” between the other candidates and me. We all care deeply about education and improving our city schools.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

As I mentioned earlier, I believe the current school board members running for re-election are deeply committed to our city’s students. As a challenger, I want to build on the board’s successes to ensure that our schools not only meet current needs but are preparing for the many challenges the future holds.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Beyond the crucial task of bringing our elementary school buildings up to modern-day standards, my campaign platform focuses on four additional priority areas:

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I bring a unique perspective to this role, personally and professionally, as a parent of City school children, teacher in our schools, volunteer, and through my own educational experiences. As I mentioned earlier, both of my children benefit from an education in Fairfax City schools, and I have experienced this with them as their parent. I’ve also experienced our school system from the staff side as a math teacher at Fairfax High School from 2011 to 2022, where I taught Algebra 2 and AP statistics. In addition to teaching, I held several leadership positions, including school representative to the Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Committee, teacher advisor to Math Honor Society, and AP Coordinator. As an active member of the school’s Instructional Council, I worked on the successful redesign of the advisory period, which provides students time to get additional educational assistance during the school day. Currently, I am a Data Specialist in the Arlington Public Schools’ Office of Program Evaluation, where I have gained a deep understanding of the broader dynamics of a school system.

In our community, I served as the Fairfax City school board representative to the Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) Advisory Committee for the 2020-2021 school year. I also volunteer for the Providence Elementary PTA, most recently as the Director of After-School Enrichment. In this role, I collaborated with local businesses to offer valuable after-school enrichment programs such as chess, STEM robotics, soccer, pottery, and yoga.

Finally, I bring my experiences from my own educational journey. I hold a Master’s in Education from George Mason University, a Master’s in Public Policy and a Certificate in Education Finance from Georgetown University. I am excited to bring my diverse experiences and gained knowledge to the school board.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

When I started teaching at Fairfax High School, my dear friend and mentor Loretta Khayam told me to “keep the main thing the main thing.” This phrase, often used by then-principal Scott Brabrand, meant staying focused on the students. In education, it’s crucial to always prioritize the needs of the kids. As your next school board member, this principle will be my north star, guiding my decisions and actions to guarantee that our Fairfax City students remain at the heart of every initiative.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I bring a unique perspective as both a parent of two city students and a former FCPS teacher with over 10 years of experience at Fairfax High School. This dual perspective has shaped my vision for a school system that prioritizes student safety, academic achievement, and community involvement. It also gives me a deep understanding of the relationship between our city and the county and insight into the structural needs of our aging school buildings.

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