I am proud to say that I was born, raised, and educated in Oakland.  I attended Crocker Highlands, McChesney Jr. High, Oakland High, and graduated from Skyline, before going on to UC Berkeley.  My mother was a teacher in Oakland and an active OEA member for 40 years.  My father was an instructor at Laney College for over twenty years.  Even my brother was a teacher in Oakland before leaving teaching to become a lawyer.  I spent over 20 years working and volunteering in Oakland’s schools and with our youth.  I have been engaged with OUSD and the school board since I was an OUSD student.  In 2011-12 my engagement increased when the two schools that I had worked at since 2001 Maxwell Park and Santa Fe were part of the five schools threatened with closure. I became very involved in the fight to stop the school closures.  Since 2012 I’ve worked to save and improve public education in Oakland.  I’ve actively attended nearly every school board meeting, testified at the Department of Education in Washington D.C. about the damage caused by school closures and charter schools in Oakland, co -founded OPEN and became a founding member of the Journey for Justice National Alliance, and ran for school board in 2012 and 2016. 

I am Sheila Pope-Lawrence, a parent and teacher running for Oakland School Board in District 5. I’ve lived and raised my family in the Fruitvale neighborhood for 25 years.  I’m guided by values I learned from my family which include integrity and a strong work ethic. I spent a lot of time with my paternal grandparents as a child. My grandfather was born on a plantation and only received a 4th grade education before he was put to work. My grandmother worked as a maid for White families and they both stressed the importance of education as I was growing up. My dad was determined that I have opportunities denied to him as a child. He moved the family from S.E. Washington, DC to California that had one of the best public education systems at the time. I benefited from great teachers and a community of caring adults who recognized my potential and encouraged me to never give up. 

 I’m running to ensure that all Oakland students regardless of zip code, receive the high-quality education they deserve, in a safe, clean, and welcoming environment. Our students must be prepared to compete globally and thrive in tomorrow’s ever-changing world. I have 29 years of experience in education, as a bilingual teacher, school counselor, a dean, and an administrator in both traditional and non-traditional schools. I understand what goes on in schools and with my collaborative leadership along with residents, parents, students, and teachers I know that we can make Oakland schools better. Over the years, I have received a few honors for my contributions to the field; including a nomination from the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) for Administrator of the Year in 2009: Leadership recognition from Energy Recovery Inc. in 2010 for H1N1 recovery efforts, and California Department of Education Model SARB Award for Leadership in 2012.  I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Holy Names University in Spanish and Psychology.  l also have a Master of Science degree in School Counseling and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership. I’ve mentored youth as a Big Sister Volunteer, a girl’s group home counselor, a High School Volleyball coach, and I’m an "Auntie" to many youth in my neighborhood as well as around the world.

I am a democrat running to deliver bold, progressive and proactive leadership to OUSD. Our school board should reflect the values and priorities of the community it serves. If elected I will vote to stop the permanent closure of public schools, support a moratorium on charter schools, and create budget solutions that increase resources for traditional public schools. I will work with teachers, organized labor, and families to improve our public schools for all students regardless of their zip code.

Born and raised in Oakland, I have been a lifelong educator and community activist, investing my efforts into supporting school transformation and social, racial justice. I graduated from Oakland High School, Cal State East Bay and UC Berkeley. I have a Masters in Science, a credential in elementary and secondary education, as well as in Supervision and Administration, and a 40+ year career in the classroom and school site. My wife and I raised our two children here where they were enrolled in public schools.

My record of developing strong ideas into transformative educational policies has led to many innovative programs, such as co-founding Centro Infantil de la Raza and La Escuelita. I’ve led initiatives to empower parents, educators and most importantly our students. Presently, I am the President of the Educational Coalition for Hispanics in Oakland, a 501(c)(3) that provides tutoring scholarships to low income students.

District 5 is home to rich diversity and I will work to integrate it while making progress towards effective student achievement, parent advocacy and support for teachers. We must value collaborating with dedicated community members to complete long awaited projects. As a decision-maker at the board level, I will strive for open communication, transparency, analysis and financial accountability.

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Distance learning has highlighted the division between our students. While this has been a challenging time for so many families it’s clear that our students of color have been disproportionately affected. We cannot wait any longer to correct this inequity – it is imperative that the school board considers this a top priority. As District 5’s School Board Director, I will work to ensure that all students are given the same opportunities to excel, whether through distance learning or in the classroom.