Miriam Cummins
Candidate for Linn-Benton-Lincoln Education Service District Board of Directors, Zone 6
• Occupation: Executive Director.
• Experience: Four years as a board director with Linn-Benton-Lincoln Education Service District; currently serves as chair.
• Education: BA Spanish/French.
• Family: Single parent of two beautiful children who attend public school.
• Hobbies/Interests: painting, dancing, being a nerd (Star Wars, Harry Potter, Marvel, Lord of the Rings, Lego), traveling, spirituality.
• Why I'm running:
I am running for re-election because, in the last four years, we have seen the need that our students have when it comes to their education. It is important to me that our student and parent voices are being heard, that we have representation of our community in these positions of leadership, and that every student deserves to get the education that they are entitled to and tailored to their needs — that is equity. In the last four years, I have advocated for our students and teachers by going to Washington, D.C. and meeting with our congressman/woman and US senators about the need to ensure that we have funding for our students' education, the needs of our community when it comes to having equitable representation and resources and most importantly ensuring the safety of our students in our schools. This year we have seen many disparities and injusticies being done to our students that I have made it my priority to address: issues of funding, mental health resources and supports at schools, staff shortages and protecting our students. In this long legislative session, I have gone to the State Capitol and have testified on bills that endangered the human rights of our students, especially our trans students. I have testified on asking for more funding to be sent to schools so that we can better support and ensure that our students get the education that they deserve and that their needs are met; I have also met with state representatives and senators about the needs of our students in Linn, Benton, and Lincoln Counties. This is no easy job, especially a job that is voluntary and unpaid. But I believe in my heart that in order to make the change, fight for what is right, and advocate for those whose voice has been silenced by systematic and institutional racism, we need to be a voice and like in the famous words of John Lewis, "When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just; you have to stand up, speak up, speak out, and find a way to get in the way and get in trouble. Good trouble. Necessary trouble."
• Instagram: @Miriam4Education
• Facebook: @Miriam4Education
• TikTok: @Miriam4Education
• Experience: Four years as a board director with Linn-Benton-Lincoln Education Service District; currently serves as chair.
• Education: BA Spanish/French.
• Family: Single parent of two beautiful children who attend public school.
• Hobbies/Interests: painting, dancing, being a nerd (Star Wars, Harry Potter, Marvel, Lord of the Rings, Lego), traveling, spirituality.
• Why I'm running:
I am running for re-election because, in the last four years, we have seen the need that our students have when it comes to their education. It is important to me that our student and parent voices are being heard, that we have representation of our community in these positions of leadership, and that every student deserves to get the education that they are entitled to and tailored to their needs — that is equity. In the last four years, I have advocated for our students and teachers by going to Washington, D.C. and meeting with our congressman/woman and US senators about the need to ensure that we have funding for our students' education, the needs of our community when it comes to having equitable representation and resources and most importantly ensuring the safety of our students in our schools. This year we have seen many disparities and injusticies being done to our students that I have made it my priority to address: issues of funding, mental health resources and supports at schools, staff shortages and protecting our students. In this long legislative session, I have gone to the State Capitol and have testified on bills that endangered the human rights of our students, especially our trans students. I have testified on asking for more funding to be sent to schools so that we can better support and ensure that our students get the education that they deserve and that their needs are met; I have also met with state representatives and senators about the needs of our students in Linn, Benton, and Lincoln Counties. This is no easy job, especially a job that is voluntary and unpaid. But I believe in my heart that in order to make the change, fight for what is right, and advocate for those whose voice has been silenced by systematic and institutional racism, we need to be a voice and like in the famous words of John Lewis, "When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just; you have to stand up, speak up, speak out, and find a way to get in the way and get in trouble. Good trouble. Necessary trouble."
• Instagram: @Miriam4Education
• Facebook: @Miriam4Education
• TikTok: @Miriam4Education