{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Stephanie Love","chatgptsummary":"Stephanie Love is a suitable candidate for the County School Board Division 3 position due to her extensive experience in community advocacy and her previous tenure on the Shelby County School Board. She has a strong understanding of the local community, having lived and been active in North Memphis, Millington, and unincorporated areas of Shelby County all her life. Her advocacy work began as a parent volunteer and she has since served on the Shelby County Head-start Policy Council and the Frayser Neighborhood Council. Love was elected to the Shelby County School Board in 2014 and re-elected in 2016, and currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Community Outreach and Engagement Committee. As a parent of three school-aged children, she understands the challenges faced by parents and children in the education system and believes in collaborative work to achieve better outcomes.","notes":"","party":"Nonpartisan","person":{"biography":"Stephanie Love has lived and been active in North Memphis, Millington and unincorporated areas of Shelby County all of her life. Stephanie Love attended Millington Central High, studied Psychology at The University of Memphis and later became a licensed cosmetologist.\n\nMs. Love's advocacy began as a parent volunteer in August 2011 at Delano Head Start where she noticed the unacceptable parking accommodations. This motivated her to begin directing traffic to ensure the safety of the children and parents and was able to effectively advocate for an improved parking lot. Because of her passion and willingness to help, Stephanie was elected to serve on the Shelby County Head-start Policy Council where she later became Vice-Chair.\n\nStephanie Love also served as Vice President of the Frayser Neighborhood Council- a community group that was born out of President Obama\u2019s Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative in 2013. Stephanie was elected to the Frayser Neighborhood Council as a resident on May 4, 2013, and was later selected as Vice President by the group. The Frayser Neighborhood Council has had success in helping to improve the quality of life in Frayser. Some of those successes include effectively advocating Memphis City Council for improvements to Denver Park- a once gang-ridden park taken back by neighbors, getting approval from Memphis City Council for new sidewalks in front of Corning Elementary, stopping a new trailer park development, developed Frayser 2020- a plan to improve quality of life in Frayser and planning of the Frayser Town Center and just recently advocating with fellow Memphians to prevent a landfill from expanding next to an elementary school, and other urban neighborhoods in Shelby County.\n\nStephanie Love was elected to the Shelby County School Board in 2014 and later re-elected in August of 2016. Stephanie Love currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Community Outreach and Engagement Committee.\n\nAs a board member and parent of 3 school-aged children, she knows and understands the challenges parents and children face as it relates to the constant changes in education. Stephanie Love believes when parents, school employees, district officials and all elected governing bodies work together more can be accomplished.\n\nLinks: \n\nSCS Board Member SIte: [SCS](https://www.scsk12.org/board/?PN=44&MID=17&M=3)\n\nLinkedin: [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-love-ab16a292/)\n\nBallotpedia: [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Stephanie_Love)","firstname":"Stephanie","lastname":"Love","middlename":"P.","suffix":null,"token":"WPynCX5HXH"},"token":"stephanie_love"},{"candidatename":"Jesse Jeff","chatgptsummary":"Jesse Jeff is a former Marine, Army serviceman, and Sheriff's Department officer turned teacher, with a Master's of Science in Educational Leadership. His experiences in law enforcement and the military, along with his dedication to teaching, make him a strong candidate for the County School Board Division 3. He is passionate about addressing racial disparities in education and believes in leading by example in the classroom. His commitment to doing the right thing and his understanding of the challenges faced by students, particularly African-American males, could bring valuable insights to the board.","notes":"","party":"Nonpartisan","person":{"biography":"What inspired you to go into teaching?\n\nPrior to going into teaching, I served in the United States Marine Corps, United States Army. and the Sheriff's Department. I used my badge to moonlight as a bouncer in a club, car repo man, and a bounty hunter. One of my duties for the Sheriff was to deliver prisoners to the penitentiary. One particular day, I was driving a 17-year-old whose sentence was over 200 years. I looked through the bars into the back seat, and saw my own face. I heard something in my head that said, the fact that you are on this side of the van and not on the other side - it is only by the grace of God. After that, I resigned my position, finished college, and became a teacher.\n\nWhat advice do you give your students?\n\nDo the right thing at all times. It is easy to get into trouble but very hard to get out of it.\n\nWho is one student who has made a strong impression on you?\n\nI often tell my students how I use to like to hang with the bad boys growing up. However, when it was time to do something wrong. I would make up an excuse and slip away. About two years ago I noticed a young man watching me in the grocery store. He started a conversation and said i taught him in the sixth grade. He told me I saved his life. While in high school he and some friends were going to commit a crime. At the last possible moment I came to his mind. He made up an excuse and got out of the car. One of his friends was killed; the others went to the penitentary.\n\nWhat experience in teaching has broken your heart?\nI take the term \"in loco parentis* very seriously. There is no outcome more horrendous or heartbreaking than the death of a child. One of my students was murdered in a gang initiation. It was heart-wrenching since I tried to prevent it. I was intervening with a young man who was involved in gang activity, but his mother stopped me. Later, the young man was implicated in the death of my student.\n\nDid you have a teacher who made a real impact on you?\n\nMy second grade teacher was a lady named Mrs. Burke. She introduced us to lobster. Can you imagine a black kid in the ghetto being exposed to lobster at the ago of seven or eight?\nThere is a lot of talk about how the system is serving - or not serving - African-American boys. \n\nWhat are your thoughts on this issue?\n\nVestiges of segregation, absent fathers, and institutonalized racism still disproportionally affect African-American males today.\nAs recently as this week the Justice Department announced that African Americans received disparate treatment from their white counterparts at the Shelby County Juvenile Court System. Until America takes the scab off of our racial sore and shines light on it, we cannot heal. Not talking about it does not make the injustice go away.\nYou have said you considered going into school administration, but decided to keep teaching.\n\nWhat has inspired you to stay in the classroom?\n\nI hold a Master's of Science in Educational Leadership. But I am not defined by a title. I believe in leading by example. At this time I feel I have a greater impact on people in the classroom.\n\nWhat insights do you think teachers have to add to the political process?\nNothing beats a failure but a try. I think teachers have a lot to add to the political process. Teachers need to wake up and realize every decision is a political decision. If teachers are not engaged, decisions will continue to be done to them rather than with them.\n\nLinks:\n\nMSCEA Link: [MSCEA](https://mscea.org/jesse-k-jeff)\n\nLinkedin: [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-jeff-13243812/)\n\nFacebook: [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/jesse.jeff.18/)\n\nCampaign Site: [https://jessejeff.net/](https://jessejeff.net/)","firstname":"Jesse","lastname":"Jeff","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"18NVUiJD5A"},"token":"jesse_jeff"},{"candidatename":"Angela Rogers ","chatgptsummary":"Angela Rogers is a highly suitable candidate for the County School Board Division 3 position. With over two decades of experience in education and community service in Memphis' District 3, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to students and families. Her roles have ranged from substitute teaching to founding a program for teenage mothers. Angela's civic engagement includes serving as a patient board member at Christ Community Health Services and volunteering at New Hope Christian Academy. She has been recognized for her service with a Key to the City and multiple Outstanding Service awards. Angela's education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education and Certification in Urban Youth Studies. Her dedication to advocating for the underserved and marginalized, along with her extensive experience in education and community service, make her an excellent fit for the role of a School Board member.","notes":"","party":"Nonpartisan","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nAngela Rogers is a candidate for the Memphis-Shelby County School Board, District 3 [1][2].\n\n## Background and education\nRogers is a native of Memphis and an alumna of Northside High School [2]. She pursued higher education at LeMoyne-Owen College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education from Jacksonville Theological Seminary [2]. She also received a Certification in Urban Youth Studies through Crichton College and the Memphis Urban Youth Initiative (UYI) training program [2]. She has resided in Raleigh, TN for 35 years [2].\n\n## Career\nSince 1999, Rogers has been involved in supporting students and families in Memphis' District 3 through various community roles [2]. She worked in Memphis City Schools as a substitute teacher and volunteer staff member in the Raleigh, Frayser, and North Memphis areas, and collaborated with organizations including the Leadership Empowerment Center and Young Women Striving for Excellence [2].\n\nRogers served as founder and executive director of A Mother's Heart, a program supporting teenage mothers at Trezevant High School, Craigmont High School, Frayser High School, and others [2].\n\nRogers' civic engagement began as a street captain during Willie Herenton's mayoral campaign [2]. She served as a patient board member at Christ Community Health Services for seven years [2]. She currently volunteers with Arise2Read at New Hope Christian Academy and contributes to initiatives at Innovation Church Memphis [2].\n\nRogers received a Key to the City from Councilman Myron Lowry and multiple Outstanding Service awards [2].\n\n## Family\nRogers is a parent to a son and daughter, and a grandmother to two granddaughters. She also cares for her elderly parents [2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Angela_Rogers_(Tennessee))\n[2] [Campaign Site](https://www.angelarogersford3scholars.com/)\n","firstname":"Angela","lastname":"","middlename":"Rogers","suffix":null,"token":"pgvnryN8l9"},"token":"angela_rogers"},{"candidatename":"Ozell Pace Jr. ","chatgptsummary":"Ozell Pace Jr. is a suitable candidate for the County School Board Division 3 position. He is a minister, advocate for victims of interpersonal violence, and works in the mental health field serving over 144 youth in the Greater Shelby County area. He is currently furthering his education at Western Governors University. Pace has lived in Memphis for four years and has witnessed the negative changes in the school district, which has motivated him to run for the board. He believes in bringing new ideas and a fresh face to the board to improve the quality of education in the community.","notes":"","party":"Nonpartisan","person":{"biography":"GET TO KNOW OZELL PACE, JR.\nOzell Pace Jr. is foremost the husband of Aurtiska and father of Kaylee and Alaina. He is a believer of Jesus Christ and a minister of the Gospel. He has matriculated through the University of Central Arkansas, he is currently furthering his education at Western Governors University. He is an advocate for victims of interpersonal violence and works in the mental health field serving over 144 youth in the Greater Shelby County area.\n\n\n\nWhy are you running for School Board?\n\n\n\nI have lived in Memphis for the last 4 years, and I watched the School District experience so many changes that have negatively impacted our youth. I have talked to teachers and students, and they are all dissatisfied with the current direction of the district. As a father of a school-age child, I want to ensure that my child gets the quality education that she deserves. \n\n\n\nHow can you help Memphis when you are not originally from the area?\n\n\n\nIndeed, I was not born or raised in Memphis. However, I chose to move to my neighborhood, and I want to see my entire community better. We all deserve better than what we are currently getting. \n\n\n\nHow do you feel about the other candidates? \n\n\n\nI am grateful to be running against some of the finest people in our community. I count it a joy to be amongst them. Without a doubt, I applaud the efforts and the years that our current Board member have served. She made good strides in our community. However, it's time for new ideas and a fresh face, and I'm that person.\n\nLinks:\n\nInstagram: [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ozellpacejr/)\n\nLinkedin: [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozell-pace-jr-b20735121/)\n\nCampaign Site: [https://electpace.com/](https://electpace.com/)","firstname":"Ozell","lastname":"Jr.","middlename":"Pace","suffix":null,"token":"ZfTISA0f8q"},"token":"ozell_pace_jr"}],"choices":null,"description":"A Memphis Shelby County School Board member is responsible for representing the interests of the division's students, parents, and educators in the policymaking process. This role involves developing and implementing policies that enhance educational outcomes, overseeing the district's budget, and ensuring accountability in school administration. Additionally, the board member collaborates with other board members, community stakeholders, and educational leaders to address local educational needs and promote a high-quality learning environment. They are paid 20,000 a year, and meet at the Francis E. Coe Administration Building, 160 S. Hollywood Street, at 5:30 p.m. on the final Tuesday of each month.","district":"3","districtgroup":"county_school_board","districtgroupname":"Shelby County School Board","districtname":"District 3","job_type":"school_board","o.office":"county_school_board_division_3","office":"county_school_board_division_3","officedescription":"A school board member serves on the elected body that governs a public school district. The board sets district policy and budget priorities and hires and evaluates the superintendent, while leaving day-to-day management to the administration.","officequalities":"- Policy judgment on a large urban district \u2014 Memphis-Shelby County Schools serves roughly 110,000 students across more than 200 schools, with a budget over a billion dollars.\n- Budget literacy for both operating and capital budgets, in coordination with the County Commission (which appropriates) and the Tennessee Department of Education.\n- Ability to hire, evaluate, and when necessary replace the superintendent \u2014 historically the highest-stakes recurring decision the board makes.\n- Constituent relations with parents, teachers, principals, and community members across an economically and racially diverse district.\n- Willingness to complete the state-required seven hours of annual training through the Tennessee School Boards Association School Board Academy.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"County School Board Division 3","partisan":1,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":"","source":null,"title":"County School Board Division 3"}