Voices of #TeamAbrams: A Brighter Future for Georgia’s Children

By: Salena J.

As a former teacher and the mother to an adorable 3-year-old future public school student, I can spot a true public education advocate. For over a decade, I worked in a variety of capacities with public school students, parents, and teachers in underserved communities across Metro Atlanta. Due to these experiences, I know that all of our kids have the potential to succeed, but that we must provide our children with the opportunity to grow and learn.

Salena and her son in Acworth, Georgia.

Eventually, I moved out of the education space and began working on campaigns. And when the time came to think about the 2018 election, I knew I wanted to work for former House Democratic Leader Stacey Abrams. She will, undoubtedly, be the “Public Education Governor” that Georgia’s students need and deserve.

As a mother and former educator, I support Stacey Abrams for Governor of Georgia because:

1. Stacey Abrams will fully fund our public schools. I started teaching at a time when new educators got a stipend to buy classroom supplies at the beginning of the year. Especially as a kindergarten teacher, this stipend was vital. By my third year, it was no longer offered at my school. We must ensure we have the resources needed to properly teach our children. Abrams has pledged to continue fully funding our quality basic education formula and reevaluate the formula to make sure modern-day needs like transportation and technology are being met.
2. Stacey understands that education starts on day one. My first day teaching kindergarten shocked me into the reality that kids who do not have access to high-quality, educational day care are less exposed to language, math, and group social skills and often start school considerably behind other students. These 5-year-olds immediately have to play “catch up.” This is not only a demoralizing experience for students, teachers, and parents, but it is also unnecessary. We have nationally-recognized early childhood programs in Georgia, and Stacey Abrams will invest and build upon them to ensure access for all children.
3. She understands that what happens outside the classroom affects performance inside the classroom. When I was teaching in an underserved community, too many of my students lacked adequate housing, health care, and nutrition. Many didn’t have enrichment experiences to help them believe that they could accomplish any dream they worked hard to achieve. Stacey Abrams supports wraparound services — she knows that if our students lack consistent housing, or access to mental health services, or do not eat dinner, it is much harder for them to reach their full potential.
4. Stacey Abrams knows we must be arming our teachers with school supplies, not weapons. She wants to repeal campus carry and provide mental health supports for those who need it. Her commitment to finding solutions that protect our children has earned her multiple endorsements, including from Moms Demand Action and Giffords: Courage To Fight Gun Violence.

We want all Georgia students to be successful. Successful students mean a stronger economy and a stronger state. Georgia has the resources needed to make this progress possible, but we need a leader to make it our priority. Students must feel safe, and parents and teachers must have the resources and support they need. Stacey Abrams is the only gubernatorial candidate who has the experience and plans to keep public education front and center and to support our kids, teachers and parents.