Campaign email: yonelle@yonelle4ccboe.com
Website: https://www.yonelle4ccboe.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yonelle4ccboe
Age: 47
Employment: Attorney/mediator
Education: Juris Doctor, Pepperdine University School of Law
Why are you running for the school board?
I am running because I am passionate and committed to improving the education system for all children in Charles County, including my own. I want to ensure equity in education, change the current school climate, and overcome the student learning loss exacerbated by COVID.
What makes you a good candidate for the board?
I am an attorney, mediator, and advocate with over 20 years of experience. I have served in various related capacities within the school system, including as a foster parent, volunteer, very involved parent and PTO officer. I have experience with contracts, dispute resolution and working with many different personalities and stakeholders.
Please name a public leader you admire and explain why.
I admire Stacey Abrams very much because she turned her pain and defeat into purpose. She is very candid about the obstacles she has had to overcome and remains steadfast in her determination to ensure a fair election process. Stacey is driven, accomplished and incredibly resilient.
What is the most important issue facing your school board, and what would you do about it if elected?
Although it is difficult to select just one issue, I believe that our current school climate and culture need improvement. We have teachers and other staff who are underpaid and feeling unappreciated, student learning loss, and school safety issues. We need to make teachers and staff feel respected and motivated to teach and remain in Charles County. Students should feel excited to learn and that school is a safe space.
How concerned are you about school safety, and what if anything should be done to improve it?
I am very concerned about school safety as it is a fundamental part of education. I believe that more restorative practices should be implemented consistently and uniformly across the county. Children need to be taught alternatives to fighting at an early age and healthy ways to express their emotions. We need to consider the whole child and any factors affecting their behavior.
Do you have any concerns about the way history is taught in your district’s schools, and if so, what are they?
Based on feedback from teachers and students, at times crucial elements are minimized (such as Native American history). History should be taught as it actually occurred at an age appropriate level. Textbooks and teaching materials need to be historically accurate without being watered down.
Do you think there are circumstances when books should be removed from school libraries, and if so, what kind of books should be removed?
No, I do not believe that books should be banned from school libraries. Books should be age-appropriate and non fiction books should accurately reflect historical events.
