Rue Willis is a candidate for Chesapeake School Board. Their name will appear on the ballot on November 5, 2024.
Willis is running against nine challengers for Chesapeake City Council.
The first day of in-person early voting at your local registrar’s office for this election is Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. Click here to see who is on your ballot.
10 On Your Side reached out to all of the candidates running in this race, with a request for a bio and a list of questions to answer. If you do not see the candidate listed with a profile, we did not receive one.
Biography: Rue Willis is an experienced educator who got their start working for Newport News before transferring over to Chesapeake Public Schools where they began working in 2024. Here, they’ve provided safe, nurturing learning environments that have allowed students to flourish. Willis is currently finishing a degree at Old Dominion University in International Studies with minors in History & German where they plan to then become a full-time Elementary, Social Studies & German Teacher.
Willis is motivated to run for the Chesapeake School Board to ensure that every student in Chesapeake is provided the opportunity to excel. Their policy priorities to achieve this include: transitioning to a disciplinary system that focus on teaching students the skills to de-escalate and problem-solve with their peers when issues arise; providing accessible support systems for diagnosing & treating symptoms of mental illness; increasing pay and improving the working conditions for our educators as well as providing pathways to bring in new educators through teaching alongside a seasoned educator in the classroom; and expanding existing tutoring opportunities for students both in-person after school as well as virtual on-demand.
Why are you running for this office?
I decided to run because currently we have no representation from young people or recent educators on our Board which has resulted in poor decisions that have negatively impacted the education of our students and reduced critical support for our working-class families. Being a student during the pandemic and a current educator, I can see the overuse of technology within all Chesapeake classrooms.
What is the top challenge facing Chesapeake Public Schools, and how would you address it?
The top challenge facing Chesapeake Public Schools is Pandemic-Era Learning Loss. Pandemic-Era Learning Loss has affected every student, due to social disconnection and poor adjustment to new learning environments. We must invest in personalized, in-person and online after-school tutoring sessions and expand our existing summer school programs, especially in schools with the largest learning gaps. These policies will ensure every student has the opportunity to excel.
How do you feel about the politicization of public education?
I believe that we should be looking at the betterment of our children and working conditions of our support staff. When we go with a party agenda, it sometimes makes it harder, but at times it can bring heightened attention and resources to education. We should ensure that all children are being treated with respect, regardless of background or status.
How will you still value constituents with whom you disagree with?
Every individual’s voice is important, and I will take it into consideration and see if there is a middle ground that we could both meet and be comfortable with the outcome. It is essential to utilize conflict-resolution skills and gain knowledge about the topic before making any decisions.