My Why......

My name is Jamela Smith-Folds. I am running to be reelected to the West Contra Costa Unified School District Governing Board of Education.

Growing up in Alabama, I had a wonderful education despite having a severe reading delay. I am a product of an educational system that focused on student success. It is my belief and educational philosophy that if given the right resources and strategies all students can learn.

I believe all WCCUSD students deserve the resources and strategies needed for their whole student success. From a college or career outlined plan, life lessons in financial literacy to exposure to multiple language acquisition opportunities, providing students with what they need is the only pathway to educational liberation. I believe all children should have access to positive experiences, and encouragement during their years spent in public education.

As a parent of three and a teacher serving in the field of education for over two decades, I understand the system both inside and out. As a trustee, I am on the board to continue to serve the community with integrity, transparency and intentionality . My demonstrated leadership will continue to turn up the volume on our educational issues. Our educational issues include but not limited to a sustainable fiscal budget, student centered education and college and career training aligned to student’s passion and purpose.

As a reelected trustee, I have the demonstrated leadership to continue to create, sustain, and maintain positive educational policies, practices, and procedures that impact all children and enhance community partnerships such implementing a social emotional learning curriculum and aligning the superintendent’s evaluation to goals that positively and directly impact the most marginalized students. I understand that co-governance where we,  the community, are the decision makers. Co-governance is the change agent that can shift the educational system to benefit all students, parents, teachers, administrators, and community members. 

As a parent of school age children, a community educational advocate and a teacher, my governance is personal. I invite you to join in my reelection to the WCCUSD School Board, Area 1 Hercules, Pinole and unincorporated Richmond. Please support me turning up the volume on your educational issues by visiting and following my community facebook page at Facebook.com/JamSmithFolds, donating to this campaign, volunteering your time to walk and speak to neighbors and finally endorsing me so I can add your name to the endorsement page.