Shamann Walton

Age: 37

Occupation: Executive Director

Education: Masters in Public Administration, BA in Political Science

Neighborhood: Excelsior

Why are you running for School Board? I am running for the San Francisco Board of Education because I want all children in San Francisco to be successful and I believe the main vehicle for that success is through SFUSD. We owe it to our children to provide the best learning experience possible and I know that I can build the rapport, consensus and garner the resources needed to do that more effectively. As a parent who has raised two children in the public school system, I know and understand that it takes hard work and dedication to ensure that our children receive a quality learning experience. Being a public school graduate myself and raising two children in the public school system, I have a personal connection and insight to what it takes to provide our students with the things they need in order to be successful within the public school system.

Why should Mission residents vote for you? I am someone who believes that ALL children should have the opportunity to be successful and deserve quality public schools. My work in San Francisco has been in all communities, primarily in the Southeast Sector and in the Mission District. My organization (Young Community Developers-YCD) currently provides tutorial and mentorship programs in both Superintendent Zones (the Mission and Bayview). YCD’s mentorship program is based in Everett Middle School and I have worked to provide screening services to identify developmental delays of children before entering kindergarten at Caesar Chavez Elementary School. In addition, I am endorsed by the Latino Democratic Club, Supervisor John Avalos and several principals and school personnel in the Mission because of my commitment to addressing the needs of all students.