Hi, my name is Laura Marie Rivera,
R-i-v-e-r-a.
In this challenging year,
I have decided to lean in.
I'm the mother of four
Seattle Public School students.
I am a nonprofit professional,
a former Broadway performer,
and I'm an educator.
I'm running for school board
because I want to create a safe
and welcoming environment
for all Seattle students,
regardless of race, gender, economics,
abilities, religion,
first language, you name it.
And I want to give each of them
the very best public education.
We owe this to them
and to our society as a whole.
Now, there won't be any dancing in this video.
I'll leave that
to my Broadway performing days of the past.
But did you know
that the future stars, captains of industry,
influential scientists, community builders,
and essential workers of tomorrow
are in our schools today?
A quality public education
is the greatest gift we can give them.
It opens the door for a brighter future
and gives our students
the skills they need to succeed.
All services must be delivered equitably
and effectively, 100% inclusive,
and center
on each individual student's needs.
I intend to build
on the district's commitment to equity
and open up the possibilities
for all of our students.
It is paramount that we are keeping up
with the highest safety standards
and respecting the needs
of our educators and staff.
As a family with learning disabilities,
we know how difficult it can be
to navigate the system
and advocate for our child.
I would like to use my experiences
as a parent, teacher,
and member of our community
to advocate for all of our children.
This attention to our students
means graduation and success.
Seattle is a leader in technology,
innovation, and the arts.
We need to make sure
that our students have access
to the skills and opportunities
that those industries can provide.
If I'm elected
as a Seattle School Board director,
I pledge to listen and to learn
and to make the best possible choices
for our students.
I'm Laura Marie Rivera,
and I would be proud to win your vote.