FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Shayla Owodunni Announces Candidacy for Minneapolis School Board Member At-Large: A Vision Rooted in Academic Achievement, Community Collaboration, and Financial Integrity
Minneapolis, MN – July 1, 2024 – Shayla Owodunni, a Minnesota native and dedicated advocate for educational excellence, is excited to announce her candidacy for the Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) School Board Member At-Large position. Drawing inspiration from the successful turnaround of Union City Public Schools in New Jersey, Shayla is deeply committed to addressing the unique challenges faced by MPS and is poised to bring transformative change to the district. "It all starts with a seed," Shayla emphasizes. "Education is the seed from which future success grows. By cultivating an environment rich in support and expectations, we can ensure that every student in Minneapolis has the opportunity to thrive and succeed." Her campaign, which seeks to plant seeds of change within the Minneapolis school system, has officially launched at www.shaylaformps.com.
"It all starts with a seed," Shayla emphasizes. "Education is the seed from which future success grows. By cultivating an environment rich in support and expectations, we can ensure that every student in Minneapolis has the opportunity to thrive and succeed."
A PROVEN MODEL FOR SUCCESS
Union City, NJ, serves as a powerful example of what can be achieved with focused leadership, high expectations, and community collaboration. Despite a challenging start, Union City transformed from a struggling district to a model of educational excellence. Key to their success were high expectations for all students, individualized instruction, community engagement, and strategic investment in school technology and resources. These principles form the foundation of Shayla's vision for MPS.
SHAYLA'S VISION AND PRIORITIES
Shayla's vision for Minneapolis Public Schools is rooted in academic achievement, community collaboration, and financial integrity. She is committed to creating a thriving educational environment where every student can bloom to their full potential.
Shayla’s platform is grounded in the following priorities:
Prioritize Academic Growth in Literacy and Math: Shayla aims to support and advocate for initiatives that enhance literacy and math proficiency through targeted programs, personalized learning, and equitable access to resources. With only 44% of MPS students reading at or above grade level and 39% proficient in math, immediate action is required. Inspired by Union City's belief in every student's potential, Shayla is committed to promoting a culture of excellence where high expectations are the norm. This involves supporting policies and practices that provide individualized instruction and address each student's unique needs.
Support and Development for Educators: Shayla is dedicated to advocating for continuous professional development, competitive compensation, and supportive environments for teachers. By prioritizing the needs of educators, the board can help ensure that students receive the highest quality education.
Empower Parents and Guardians: Shayla believes in the power of parental involvement in education. She aims to engage parents with resources and platforms for active participation in their children's education, strengthening the home-school connection. Engaging parents and guardians is crucial for creating a supportive and collaborative educational environment.
Foster Community Engagement: Shayla will work to build strong partnerships between MPS and local stakeholders, aligning community needs with school resources. By fostering robust collaborations and coordinating with local organizations, Shayla aims to create a supportive and collaborative educational environment that benefits all students.
Ensure Financial Integrity and Efficiency with MPS Resources: Shayla will advocate for transparency, fiscal accountability, and sustainable funding. Her background in corporate finance and IT governance, risk, and compliance (IT GRC) equips her with a keen understanding of the importance of financial integrity and the efficient use of resources.
A PERSONAL COMMITMENT
Shayla Owodunni's dedication to education is deeply personal. As an Early Learning Corps volunteer, she witnessed firsthand the challenges and triumphs of students and educators. Shayla's tutoring expertise, grafted with her background in corporate finance and IT GRC, uniquely position her to address the complex needs of MPS.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
Shayla invites the community to grow with her in planting seeds of change for Minneapolis Public Schools. "Together, we can cultivate a future where every student has the opportunity to bloom."
Join Shayla in her journey to transform Minneapolis Public Schools and cultivate a brighter future for all students. For more information, please visit www.shaylaformps.com or contact hello@shaylaformps.com.
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ABOUT SHAYLA OWODUNNI
Shayla Owodunni is a dedicated advocate for educational excellence, with expertise in early learning, corporate finance, and IT governance, risk, and compliance (IT GRC). A Minnesota native and graduate of the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management, Shayla earned a Bachelor of Science in Business (BSB) with a focus in Accounting and Entrepreneurial Management. She currently serves as a Carlson School of Management Alumni Board Member and Co-Chair of the Carlson 360 Network Affinity Group for alumni of color, where she leads efforts to advance inclusivity and support diversity initiatives within the Carlson School community.
Shayla's commitment to education is deeply personal and multifaceted. As an Early Learning Corps volunteer, she witnessed firsthand the challenges and triumphs of students and educators. Her passion for literacy led her to start a YouTube channel, "Ms Shayla Reads," aimed at inspiring a continuous love for literacy among children.
Shayla is also a volunteer with the Hennepin County Master Gardener program, where she is trained in Children's Garden in Residency programming, further nurturing her love for growth and development. In addition to her educational endeavors, she is a trained children's etiquette instructor and the founder of Social Heirlooms, a business that provides modern etiquette education. Her entrepreneurial spirit extends to her flora-inspired lifestyle blog turned business, The Plant Penthouse, and her management consulting firm, Corporate Carpentry Consulting, which focuses on IT GRC and program management.
Shayla's background in corporate finance and IT GRC equips her with a keen understanding of the importance of financial integrity and the efficient use of resources, skills she is eager to apply to the Minneapolis Public Schools system.
Shayla's vision for Minneapolis Public Schools is rooted in academic achievement, community collaboration, and financial integrity. She is committed to creating a thriving educational environment where every student can bloom to their full potential. Join Shayla in her journey to transform Minneapolis Public Schools and cultivate a brighter future for all students.
MEDIA CONTACT
Shayla for MPS
(612)-685-4735
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