Speaking of local candidates, we just got an email from APAP member Yee Chang in Minnesota. Yee is married to State Senator Mee Moua and it looks like his sister-in-law, Vallay Moua Varro, is following in her sister's footsteps. From Vallay's campaign website:

Nothing is more important and urgent to me than the education of our children and state of affairs in our public schools. Today we are facing multiple challenges on many fronts - No Child Left Behind, shrinking enrollment, a new superintendent search and a massive budget deficit. As a parent, a teacher, and as the education policy director for our city, I am convinced that we can no longer run from any of these issues. We need to deal with them head on. I believe the school board’s leadership is essential for this task. This is why I am running for the Saint Paul School Board.

Please allow me to introduce myself and ask for your support. My name is Vallay Varro, and I am running for the vacant seat left by long time school board member, Tom Conlon. I believe that I have the educational skills, policy experience, and a set of unique perspectives to lead, govern and transform our school district into the kind of learning environment that our children deserve.

I am a DFLer and I live on the East Side with my husband Chris and our two young children, Nicholas and Emily. I am a University of Minnesota graduate with a Master’s degree in Education and have worked as a teacher at the University of Saint Catherine’s pre-K education center. I have been a program manager for the Minnesota Literacy Council, where I was responsible for early literacy curriculum and program development. I have worked with English language learner families and their children, trained and coached early educators, and formerly directed the statewide AmeriCorps Minnesota Reading Corps Program.

When Chris Coleman was elected Mayor of Saint Paul in 2006, I was appointed to be his Education Policy Director, a position with responsibilities ranging from advising the Mayor on important and critical education policies to serving as an advocate and liaison to a vast array of educational stakeholders and communities.

We must leverage additional resources to meet the needs of our district and propel it forward. I believe that the best long term solution to closing the achievement gap is to start early and stay focused on providing excellent learning opportunities along the way for all students. I believe the extended community is an essential element to the success of our school district and we must work together, better and smarter. Meanwhile, it is imperative that we maintain and improve the things that are working well in Saint Paul - school choice, excellent college readiness programs, quality fine arts, music and extra-curricular activities. I have built relationships locally and nationally in areas of education reform, best practices and in promoting collaboration between cities and school districts.

I am ready and willing to listen, to explore the best policy and strategic options available to us, and ultimately to make tough decisions that will serve the best interest of our children. I will work hard for the children of Saint Paul.

Sincerely,

Vallay Varro

Vallay recently joined the race after receiving the endorsement of DFL. If she is anything like her sister, Mee, then progressives have a great candidate to support. If you feel like donating, click here. For her full bio, click here. We'll try to get an interview with her shortly.

In a related note, APAP is launching a Minnesota chapter this fall, if you would like more information, please email us at apafp at apaforprogress dot org.