Stephanie Afonja is a candidate for Hampton School Board. Her name will appear on the ballot on November 5, 2024.
Afonja, who currently sits on Hampton School Board, is running against four challengers for Hampton School Board.
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: Stephanie is a native of Hampton, born and raised. She attended Hampton City Schools (HCS) and graduated from Hampton High School. She is raising her 3 amazing children with her husband Ali. Her two oldest graduated from Bethel High School in 2020 and 2023. Her youngest is a 1st grader in Hampton City Schools. Stephanie is invested in the long-term success of HCS.
Stephanie, alongside her husband, is the owner of Family Restoration Services (FRS) (17 years) and Holistic Family Solutions (11 years). Both agencies provide holistic, mental health and wellness services to children and families. Stephanie’s non-profit, Families Overcoming Obstacles Together, founded a Community Learning Garden in 2016 and has offered many community uplift and school-based projects, promoting children’s mental health. Stephanie also enjoyed a progressive human service career prior to opening FRS. She worked at the Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board for over 16 years, the Virginia School for the Deaf, Blind and Multi-Disabled for over 3 years and was a member of the Hampton Assessment and Planning Team for more than 14 years. Stephanie is experienced with managing a large number of personnel and has close to 20 years of Board, team and committee experience, in service to youth and families in her community.
Stephanie was elected to the Hampton School Board in 2020, during the height of the COVID pandemic. Over the past four years, the Division has excelled in student achievement denoted by 100% accreditation of all schools with no conditions, the highest on-time graduation rate ever and a less than 1% dropout rate. It has been an honor and privilege for Stephanie to contribute to this unprecedented success in the city she loves and the school division she admires! Moreover, she counts it a privilege to be a member of such an effective Board.
Why are you running for this office?
I am seeking re-election, because Hampton Schools has achieved unprecedented success under this leadership and we are not finished. I have a duty to create more opportunities for success for all students. My re-election to the Board would focus on transition outcomes and meaningful ‘Academies’ experiences for students with disabilities. I believe success in education should mean success in adult life. For students with disabilities, a good education can be the difference between a life of dependence and a life of independence and productivity. Moreover, I believe I can bring more support to students requiring public services to fully reach their potential. I have partnered with social and human-serving agencies, in Hampton, for over 20 years. I have the experience, skills and abilities to develop creative collaborations that will further address student need for comprehensive care and support.
What is the top challenge facing Hampton Public Schools, and how would you address it?
While Hampton Public Schools has reached record success and national recognition, my priority continues to be on students with disabilities. HCS students with disabilities outperform students in neighboring divisions, however, they continue to lag behind their regular education peers in assessment performance, which is consistent with state trends. Data also indicates opportunity in reading performance in the elementary and middle grades for students with disabilities. I would support more intentional focus on supporting literacy and assessment outcomes, by increasing collaborative training, between special and regular education teachers. I would work with HCS’ business partners to develop more Academies of Hampton experiences that allow students with disabilities to graduate with comparable exposures as their non-disabled peers. Intentional partnering is necessary for this to happen. I would contribute to the growth of these partners, using my 17 years of business experience and over 25 years working with children with different abilities.
How do you feel about the politicization of public education?
The politicization of public education can create challenges in maintaining focus on what’s best for students. It’s important to prioritize educational quality and student needs over political agendas. I believe in advocating for policies that support inclusive, equitable, and high-quality education for all students, regardless of political pressures.
How will you still value constituents with whom you disagree with?
My grandmother used to say “You can disagree without becoming disagreeable.” For me, this means even when disagreements arise, it’s important to foster respectful dialogue and seek solutions that align with the broader goals of improving education for all students. Engaging with constituents who have differing opinions is essential for effective representation. I often solicit and always welcome varying perspectives. I believe in listening actively, understanding diverse viewpoints, and finding common ground. My vast experience working on teams and Boards has afforded me countless opportunities to work through disagreements, remaining consistent and fair.
What is your view on the Governor’s Executive Order to ban cell phone use?
The Governor’s Executive Order to ban cell phone use in schools, raises important questions about balancing technology use with student safety and academic focus. While the intent to reduce distractions is valid, I believe it’s important to consider the educational benefits of technology and how we can integrate it effectively in the classroom. I would advocate for a balanced approach that includes clear guidelines for responsible technology use and ensures that students benefit from technological advancements while minimizing potential distractions. Ultimately, the effectiveness of a cell phone ban—or any policy—depends on how well it’s implemented and the specific needs of the Hampton school community. Hampton City Schools is prepared to respond, in compliance, with state orders, with updated policy and implementation, at the appointed time.