My name is Zakaria Sharif, Erie School Board candidate! I was born in Somalia and raised in Erie PA when my family arrived here as Refugee in June of 1996 from Kenya. Investing in our children’s education now means a vibrant future for Erie. To provide every child with the education they deserve, the Erie City School Board must have a vision, create structures to support that vision, and be accountable to the public . I want to serve the community that I have been a part of for twenty-two years. As a parent of four children and two enrolled in the Erie School district, my wife and I are actively involved in their education.
Education is valuable and anything that interferes or acts to block free access to education/idea-sharing is to be resisted. Our students need an advocate who will ensure their education is relevant and focused on either two year vocational degrees in high demand professions or four year college degrees enabling full employment.
I support open discussion of ideas , reasoned consideration of all options, and most of all , I will be guided by what , in the end , is best for public education in Erie with strong teachers, supported by students, and solid community engagements. Perhaps looking back into current policy that does not allow people out of the city to have input into the board meeting and this should be changed since currently the majority of teachers live outside the city.
Remember it is our children, our community, our future. I thank you for your support and look forward to serving you as a School Board member.