Article by:
Anna Marie Binder
My journey into public education advocacy began as being a mother to my six children, three of whom have special needs. Witnessing the decimation of essential services the district is supposed to supply during the pandemic left me frustrated and feeling powerless. If I felt this way, other parents would also feel alone and helpless. From a small group of concerned parents, a movement blossomed including hundreds of families united by mutual loneliness and helplessness in the absence of in-person schooling during the pandemic. Enriched by our diverse backgrounds and circumstances, the common thread that wove all of us together was the devastating impact school closures were having on our children's social well-being and education.
This led me to the Special Education Advisory Council for the State of Nevada Department of Education, where I successfully secured a parental seat. This opportunity opened doors for me to amplify parent voices and affect change.
Becoming involved led me to the privilege of meeting Dr. Sondra Cosgrove, whose guidance led me to the Las Vegas Alliance of Black School Educators—a powerful alliance with a strong history of serving children of color in our community. Collaborating with LVABSE has made me a stronger, and more complete advocate, and fired my passion for equity and inclusivity in education. I learned many ways to amplify the voices and identities of marginalized students and families. This led me to also discover marginalization of our Hispanic populations, and the fight for the same support for our English language learners as well as our only focused high school for students who have recently moved to the United States.
My efforts and commitment have earned me respect and opened doors to new places. This recognition led to three appointments under Governor Sisolak to important councils, including the Developmental Disabilities Council, the Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorder, and the Behavioral Health Planning Advisory Council. I earned an appointment from Trustee Lisa Guzman, to serve on the Attendance Zone Advisory Committee and the current, and past Board, to serve on the Audit Advisory Committee for CCSD.
I really want people to understand that my advocacy extends beyond District A boundaries. You’ll find me at schools valley wide ensuring support reaches wherever needed. I’m committed to assisting families throughout the community.
Being a participant in a united community leads us to this vital moment in 2024. We can elect truly dedicated community members who prioritize and value public education in Clark County. As we stand at this pivotal moment, we must prepare to resist external influences seeking to undermine our public education system and commit to fostering a future that places the needs of our students, schools, and communities above all else.
While I understand that neither I nor some of the other candidates can achieve this alone, I truly believe that together, we can make a difference. I’m thankful for the opportunity to share this time and these priorities with The Urban Voice. Our views are aligned, our unity is strong, and our commitment to meaningful change will bring results.
You have my respect; I hope I have earned your vote.
For additional information please visit https://binder4nevada.com/