Home 2023 Elections Northern Virginia Education Leaders Endorse Stella Pekarsky

Northern Virginia Education Leaders Endorse Stella Pekarsky

Former VA Secretary of Education Atif Qarni: "Pekarsky is the leader our students, teachers, and families need in the State Senate."

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Northern Virginia Education Leaders Endorse Stella Pekarsky

FAIRFAX COUNTY – Today, the Fairfax Education Association and elected and union leaders from across Fairfax County and northern Virginia announced their support for School Board Member Stella Pekarsky as the best candidate for education in Senate District 36.

  • Fairfax Education Association (FEA)
  • Leslie Houston, FEA President
  • Kimberly Adams, former FEA President
  • Kevin Hickerson, former FEA President
  • David Walrod, Fairfax County Federation of Teachers President
  • Atif Qarni, Former Virginia Secretary of Education
  • Delegate Kaye Kory
  • Rachna Sizemore Heizer, Fairfax County School Board Chair

“Stella’s unwavering passion for education and deep understanding of the challenges faced by our schools have been evident in every decision she has made. Stella’s tireless efforts to create positive change, foster academic excellence, and ensure the well-being of our students and educators have left an indelible mark on our community. – Fairfax Education Association (in addition to the FEA endorsement, FEA President Leslie Houston and former presidents Kimberly Adams and Kevin Hickerson have personally endorsed Stella).

“For too long, we’ve underinvested in teacher and staff pay and critical school infrastructure upgrades because of a lack of state funding. As a teacher and as FCFT president, I’ve seen the consequences of that underinvestment. That’s why I’m endorsing Stella: to elect a teacher who will stand up for public schools to the State Senate.” – David Walrod, Fairfax County Federation of Teachers President

“Stella Pekarsky is the leader our students, teachers, and families need in the State Senate. As a former Virginia Secretary of Education and former teacher, I know a true champion for our schools when I see one, which is why I’m confident that Stella will fight to fully fund our schools and defend public education from right-wing attacks.” -Atif Qarni, Former Virginia Secretary of Education and Marine Corps Veteran

“George Barker doesn’t push back against Youngkin or the Republicans when they trash education or women’s rights. Seniority and experience only matter as tools to support the issues we care about and Barker has not stood up when we needed him the most. Stella led the fight against Youngkin in FCPS and we need her strong leadership in Richmond.” – Delegate Kaye Kory, former Fairfax County School Board Member

“I enthusiastically endorse my friend and colleague Stella Pekarsky for State Senate. Working as the vice chair when she was chair of the School Board, I saw first hand her strong leadership and her ability to build coalitions to get work done. She always fought for what is right, with integrity and a deep desire to serve our community.” – Rachna Sizemore Heizer, Fairfax County School Board Chair

These endorsements make it clear – Stella Pekarsky is the strongest candidate for the students, families, and teachers in Senate District 36.

Stella Pekarsky is a mother of six, former teacher, first-generation immigrant, and small business owner. She has served on the Fairfax County School Board following her election in 2019. To learn more about Stella, visit stellapekarsky.com.

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