Roseville High School teacher Paige Powell is running for the Sacramento City Unified District’s Board of Education. Formerly the 2010 Teacher Court queen, Powell will be the only teacher running for the seat in Area 1, Sacramento. Powell has taught for 12 years at RHS and currently teaches English 12.

     Powell has previously been recognized as the Placer County “Teacher Who Makes a Difference,” received a commendation from the City of Roseville, and received a district Award of Excellence.

     As the only teacher running for this seat, Powell believes that she will have the knowledge and the experience of being in a classroom with the students.
     “I think having a teacher on the board is important,” said Powell. “I know what it is like to be in a classroom. Students change, hence the way we reach out to them changes too.”

     Powell is actively campaigning for this position through her Web site, Facebook, advertisements, precinct walking and lawn signs.

     “My lawn signs started going up this week and it’s a bit strange seeing them when I drive in the area around my house,” said Powell.

     If Powell is elected to the school Board she proposes to bring many changes. Powell will look to improve the financial status of the district and hopes to enhance student performance by focusing in the students.

     “The current Sacramento City school board does not spend much time talking about student performance, and I think the focus should be on [the] kids,” said Powell. “Many students are struggling and helping those kids should be the primary focus.”

     RHS principal Brad Basham is pleased that Powell is running for the board. Basham described her as a “superstar” teacher with a clear vision of what students need in order to be successful.
     “I think Powell would have a positive impact on the board,” said Basham. “She [Powell] would be the best thing that has happened to the Sacramento City School Board.”

     Several of Powell’s students are aware that she is running for this position, as she occasionally talks about running for office in her class.

     “I think it’s pretty awesome,” said senior Duaa Khalifeh. “She is very helpful and supportive and it would be good for the board to have Ms. Powell.”

     Many students have offered to help Powell and volunteer in some way, but Powell has turned down all offers.

     “I don’t want it to appear that [the] students are in any way getting any perceived grade benefit by helping me,” said Powell. 

     The election will occur on November 2, 2010.