
Reelect President
Jamela Smith-Folds
“Jamela works hard and gets the job done. She is very helpful and if something is not right, she will take a stand with no fear.” -Samir Arora
Empowering, parents, teachers and students by turning up the volume on all educational issues through demonstrated leadership and service.
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.
Meet Jamela (Sides of Service)
-
Family
I have been married to my husband, Cameron Folds, for over 18 years and we have been together for over 25 years. We have three daughters. Our oldest attends Brown University, our middle is a junior at Hercules High School and our youngest is a 6th grader at Hercules Middle School.
-
Demonstrated Leadership
When elected in 2020, I committed to increasing the level of transparency between district departments and the community. I have help navigate students, parents, staff, and teachers through the educational system.
-
Steadfast Volunteer
I understand that volunteering is essential to creating the educational system that works for all students success. I work as a volunteer to support teachers, principals, and sites. I volunteer to enhance the school experience for all students.
-
Civic Collaboration
I actively and consistently work with other electeds and civic servants to turn up the volume on all educational issues by highlighting the intersectionality of schools with the city an county.
-
Community Engagement
It is my honor and pleasure to engage with the community on multiple levels. I participate in community meetings, city meetings, site meetings and site organizations. To see more about how I engage, please visit Facebook.com/JamSmithFolds
-
Social Justice Leader
I believe in social justice in all forms. As a History and English teacher and born and reared in Alabama, I understand the power of civil rights. I am dedicated to dismantling systems that continue to harm students.
A Message from Jamela
I have the spirit of service. I am running for reelection to the school board trustee in Area 1 to serve you and your family. Area 1 includes Hercules, Pinole, and a part of Richmond. I know what teachers, students, and parents need to have a successful school experience. It is my commitment and dedication to the desired outcome of success that makes me the best choice to continue as your school board trustee. Equity, sustainability and building capacity in policies and programs that have embedded measurements for growth are the changes I will continue bring to the school board.
Teacher
I am a graduate of Auburn University with a double major in English and History and with a credential to teach. I have been in the field of education for over 20 years. I began my teaching career in 2000. I taught at Auburn High School in Auburn, Alabama. Teaching in Alabama reinforced that teaching is a community job. My first teaching job in California was at Gompers Continuation High School in Richmond, California. I credit Gompers with teaching me that delivering information is the least that a teacher does. A teacher is charged and obligated to create and maintain trusting relationships with parents and students. Recently, I taught at Hercules High School as the Leadership Teacher and Activity Director. As a veteran teacher, I understand that the voice of the teacher, student, and parent must be at the decision making table. Making policy without these voices, bears no fruit. I will continue to turn up the volume on all educational issues in WCCUSD.
Supporting and Serving the Community
My service extends far beyond what I did as a teacher to the larger community. I have a history of volunteering inside and outside the school community. I understand that educating the whole child happens within the broader context of the community. Serving with the whole child in mind ensures students have the necessary support to become the best versions of themselves. Service is my oxygen. I will always find a way to serve. As your board trustee and current board president, I have attended all board meetings and countless additional meetings and events. It is imperative for me as a board members to keep my feet on the ground, in order to make informed board decisions.
NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) member
BWOPA (Black Women Organization for Political action) member
HEF (Hercules Education Foundation) board member
El Cerrito Democratic Club member
West Contra Costa Democratic Club member
Hercules Middle and High School APPAC (African American Parent Advisory Council) member
Lupine Hills Elementary School AAPAC member
Hercules Democratic Club member
DPCCC (Democratic Party of Contra Costa County) member
Hercules High School Climate Team member
Attendee of Area 1 SSC (School Site Council) meetings
Attendee of Area 1 PTAs and PTOs
Attendee of WCCUSD district cabinet meetings
Attendee of CBOC meetings (Citizens Bond Oversight Committee)
Attendee of 7-11 meetings
Attendee of DLCAP meetings
Attendee of MDAC (Multilingual Advisory Committee) meetings
Attendee of AASAT (African American Site Advisory Team) meetings
Attendee of CAC meetings
WCCUSD Literacy Task Force member
WCCUSD Black Graduation Committee member
WCCUSD Graduation Committee member
WCCUSD Budget Committee member
WCCUSD Governance Committee member
WCCUSD Black Women in Leadership Luncheon Committee member
WCCUSD Black Student of Honors Committee member
WCCUSD Safety Committee member
************************************************
BSU (Black Student Union) Teacher advisor 2019-2020
Former Hercules Middle School Climate Team member
Former PHREED (Pinole, Hercules, Rodeo, El Sobrante, for equity and diversity) member Former Hercules Middle School PTO member
Former Hercules High School PTO member
Former Hercules Middle School SSC (School Site Council) member
Former Hercules High School SSC (School Site Council) member
Former Hercules High School EOS (Equal Opportunity School) Coordinator 2019-2020
Former Hercules Middle School ASL (American Sign Language) club mom
Former Class of 2023 Class Mom
Former BPREP (Black Parents Raising Exceptional People) support group member
Former BEN (Black Educator Network) current past president
Former Hercules Middle School Geography Club mom
Former Hercules Middle School Gardening Club mom
Former Hercules High School Garden Committee member
Former Hercules Middle School Library Club mom
Former Middle School Assistant coach for volleyball, girl’s basketball, and soccer
Former Hercules Middle School Mafanikio Black History teacher
HARPP (Hercules Against Racism in Practice and Policing) founding member
PEACH (Parents for the Educational Advancement Community of Hercules) founding member
EBWPA (East Bay Women’s Political Alliance) member
Coach Parks
“ [Jamela is a] true advocate for our children district wide. She is in my opinion a great choice for School Board Trustee. You can count on her support to ensure transparency and accountability. A very fair and trustworthy leader that will help the board get the job done. She is a great leader, motivator, and consummate team player. When it comes to making a choice, there is only once choice, Jamela Smith-Folds is your choice!”
— Coach Roberts Parks (19 year veteran teacher with Hercules Middle and Hercules High School)