I love the Cabarrus County community and the CCS families, staff, and students. I continue to have a calling to serve, contribute, and provide experienced leadership that will help see our school system succeed for all students.

1. Student engagement and achievement.
   
   
2. Collaboration and transparency in our decision making.
   
   
3. Being good steward of the resources provided so we can make the best impact for students, staff, families, and taxpayers in the community.

Today, Keshia is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for a local Managed Care Organization. She works tirelessly every day to make a difference in her community. Social work, along with her own experience as a mother, has given her a profound understanding of how educational opportunities, when paired with collective involvement, serves as a catalyst for potential solutions in improving societal challenges. This unique skill set, coupled with her desire to see change, motivated her to run for public office and ultimately win a seat on the Cabarrus County Board of Education. In every public setting, when asked, Keshia often shares her one inspiration for seeking political office: “It’s simple, I wanted to make a difference. I want little girls, from every background, to know they can excel and prosper while serving the human interest.”

1. While having enjoyed a successful first term in office, I understand there’s lots of work to be done. My reelection campaign for 2024 will center on building and sustaining an “Education System We Can Trust.” This simply means that we must continue to work to ensure Cabarrus County Schools remain the best available educational resource for our children outside of the home.
   
   
2. We must prepare our children for the forthcoming change in how our students receive education in the future. Our parents must be made aware of and prepared for legislative measures being considered and enacted at the local and state level.
   
   
3. My goal is to “Sustain Transparency,” but also create a model for “Politics We Can All Understand.” If we can accomplish these measures, we ensure “Equity in Education,” which prepares Cabarrus County as a leader in educational opportunities for STEM subjects to Career and Technical Education, and beyond.

On the board, Keshia has given voice to parents, teachers, and students in the pursuit of a more perfect public education system. Having developed a reputation for transparency, accountability, and bipartisanship, she has proven her ability to rise above petty political partisanship to accomplish huge advances in education for the community. A rising star, Keshia has worked on several issues ranging from teacher retention and pay, school safety, student choice, STEM availability, student and staff mental health and public health administrative policy during the 2020 COVID crisis.

We can do much better, collectively, prioritizing values that everyone should be on par with. I’m a parent of a child with special needs and, as an active participant in her educational experience, it’s apparent that our most vulnerable populations are unjustly suffering from regressive practices of these times. The educational interest of children, like my daughter, need to be served.

1. Advocate for children with special needs
   
   
2. Prevent religious based decision making on educational matters
   
   
3. Bring more fathers into the management of their kids’ education

I am vocal in speaking up to represent actual family values, instead of generating narratives for the purpose of political spin. If you have trouble with the mission behind “Moms for Liberty”, then we are on the same team!

I have coached my son’s sports teams for the past several seasons. This has provided information and experience which I can use to promote programs that will be useful to Cabarrus County students.

I have spent all my adult life working with students of all ages. My own children are now grown, and I have experience and time that I believe could be used to serve my community in this capacity. I have never sought to be involved in politics so this is a unique endeavor for me. I have no desire to use this job as a pathway into politics. Education is one of my passions and I hope to give back as I have been blessed.

1. I want to see the classroom unburdened. Too much time is spent by teachers in handling discipline problems, printing classroom materials, and attending to administration duties. Teaching should return to being the main focus.
   
   
2. I want to see a return to teaching basic learning skills. Focus should be on reading, writing, and math skills in early Elementary. No child should leave 3rd grade unable to read, do basic math problems, or understand basic math concepts. They should also be able to write legibly. Later grades should be developing reading comprehensive skills, vocabulary, study, critical thinking, and higher math skills.
   
   
3. Our community is growing and with it the need for more schools. Our Education Lottery, which was to help fund schools and pay teachers, needs to be audited. The percentage it was designed to pay has been reduced drastically and there are far too many administrative costs in salaries, etc.

I was born in Cabarrus County and raised my family here. My husband is also a native of Cabarrus. I have a B.A. in Music, with Minors in History and English. I am a professional cellist and was a member of the Charlotte Symphony for 11 years. I am a product of the Public School System and 2 of my children also attended Cabarrus County Schools. I have taught the full curriculum of grades 1-12 using textbooks multiple times with my own children . I have taught all ages in music and taught in after-school clubs. I was also an Adjunct Teacher with Gardner-Webb University for over 25 years. Through this I have experienced the whole spectrum of student development. I have seen where learning deficiencies have occurred and where children struggled as a result. I believe this experience can be useful on the School Board.

My decision to run is not fueled by a mere quest for a title, but by a profound dedication to the future of our school system. As a parent, educator, and fervent advocate for comprehensive education, my passion lies in ensuring our schools excel in every aspect. I believe in nurturing the holistic growth of children—educationally, physically, and emotionally. Drawing from educational experience and enthusiasm for the field, I am poised to infuse fresh energy and innovative ideas. My commitment is to collaborate constructively with fellow board members, educators, and families, striving collectively to make a positive impact on the lives of our children—the ultimate objective uniting us all.

1. Strategic Growth – Some sections of our county have experienced remarkable development in recent years that has resulted in over-utilization of our educational institutions. To address this issue, I aim to foster collaboration and communication between the city, county, and school system to get the necessary funding for educational and physical (meaning facilities) needs when approving new developments.

2. Parental and community involvement – The proverb “It takes a village to raise a child.” should be our guidepost, emphasizing the essential role of parents, families, community members, and schools in helping our children achieve their full potential. I will strive to build strong relationships between schools and the broader community, providing opportunities for our students to excel and prepare for their future.

3. Teacher Retention – As a former teacher, I understand how imperative it is to provide substantial support and resources to our educators. I will advocate for competitive compensation, personalized professional development, and resources to support our teachers.

4. Advocate of Recess in Middle School – While schools are often held accountable for academic performance, we must not overlook the vital role of recess. Research shows that children need this opportunity to process emotions and consolidate their learning.

As a devoted mother of two children attending Cox Mill Elementary and Harold Winkler Middle School and a former educator, I understand the hurdles that both our students and teachers encounter within our education system. Having taught at CMS High School and served as an instructor at CPCC and UNCC, I recognize the importance of an inclusive, supportive learning environment in shaping the lives of our future generation.

Public education is very important to me. My grandmother taught in a one-room schoolhouse and my youngest daughter is in college studying to be a teacher. My wife is a licensed teacher with 25 years of experience in special education. She and I grew up in Cabarrus County schools. We put our two children through Cabarrus County Schools. I got into this race because the struggles of our public school classrooms are personal to me. It has been debated and discussed around my dinner table for decades. For some people, the school board is an entry point to other political offices. For me, it is a platform I can use to promote ideas and policies that I believe will make a difference at the classroom level and get better outcomes for the children of Cabarrus County.

1. We have to repair the relationship between parents and educators. Public schools were standing on the edge of catastrophe before the pandemic. Now, parents are aware that their kids are not getting the kind of education they expected. To restore parent trust we have to be transparent about the issues, include them in the problem-solving process, and give them more opportunities to be directly involved in their children’s education.
   
   
2. Cabarrus does not have enough licensed teachers. We’re asking them to take on more work. We’re leaning more heavily on teacher’s assistants. And, we’re turning to synchronous remote learning options for some of the most difficult-to-hire subjects. We’ll be more successful at attracting great teachers when we establish a regional reputation as the best culture for teachers to work in. I will ask district staff to “lighten the load” for teachers. The more time we can give back to educators in their workday, the more effective they will be in the classroom.
   
   
3. We have to be brave enough to address spending. The school district is asking county commissioners for one billion dollars to build new schools and improve existing ones. We would all like our children to walk into “world-class” buildings, but we have to give them the best that County taxpayers can afford. That means taking a hard look at the schools we’ve built recently to see if student performance there is objectively better than similar student populations at older schools.

I was an art education major at UNCC for a couple of semesters. My career went in a different direction but I’ve always been in creative fields. Your school board needs people from different backgrounds. You need people who are familiar with education, accounting, and construction. You also need creative thinkers. I reject the belief that entrenched problems don’t have solutions. We need visionaries who can see a path around the obstacles that keep our students from enjoying their school days and achieving academic success.

My youngest daughter graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 2020. I filed to run for School Board for the first time in 2021. I changed very quickly from going to school events in support of my children to visiting schools all over the district to hear the experiences of other parents and teachers. I lost that election, but I never stopped working. I have been in schools as a substitute teacher. I continue to attend every school board meeting, applaud for arts performances, and cheer on our teams. I share what I learn from the community with school board members and district staff. I will continue that fight but I could be much more effective with the citizens of Cabarrus County supporting me as an elected member of the Board of Education.

I have dedicated my entire career to advocating for children and I aspire to continue that role as a member of the Cabarrus County School Board. I have 35 years of experience in education as a teacher and school counselor which would be very valuable as a board member. My commitment is to the students and families of this county and I want to work with other board members to improve student achievement for success.

1. My top priority is to provide every child with the opportunity to receive an education in a safe environment. We have so many students with different learning styles and individual needs in our schools today. I have seen first hand the struggles parents go through to get help for their children and I have the knowledge to improve this process.
2. Recruiting good qualified teachers is a high priority. Teaching is a hard job with long hours and our teachers need to be treated as professionals so we can retain qualified teachers. Respect starts at the highest level with board members and superintendent. We need to be sure we are selecting strong leaders and working as a team to keep the best teachers. I will always be an advocate for teachers and education at the state level.
3. Supporting parental rights in making decisions in the best interest of their children is a priority for me. A school system that values parental rights contributes to the overall well-being of children and improves communication between school and home. Parents know their children better than anyone else.

My educational background and work experience has more than prepared me for the responsibilities of a CSS board member. I am a graduate of Northwest Cabarrus and have two children who graduated from Robinson High School. I graduated from Appalachian with a BS in Education K-12 with a minor in math and a Masters in Counselor Education. I also have a Masters in School Administration from UNC-Charlotte. I have 35 years experience in education with Cabarrus County Schools and have worked at seven different schools in the system. I was a student bus driver while at Northwest and have worked closely with bus drivers over my years with CCS.
I have now started my own business, Moore Advocacy for Children, in Concord to help guide parents in advocating for their children with learning difficulties. I am also a partner with Bonds Farm and still live on the farm in the house my great grandfather built. I am a lifelong member of Poplar Tent Presbyterian where I served 6 years on the leadership team.

I served as the School Improvement Team Chairperson for 10 years. One of my responsibilities was to manage our school budget and present at the county level. I know that each school turns in a budget request that the school board uses to prioritize at the county level. I understand the different levels of funding (federal, state and local) that make up the CCS budget.

I have decided to run for office because of my genuine passion for education. This is reflected in my educational background; I hold a bachelor’s degree in Education, a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and a teaching license in North Carolina. I have great respect and admiration for our educators and I am committed to supporting our teachers, staff members, students, and families. My goal is to serve my community and actively advocate for Cabarrus County families. I believe we need board members who are dedicated to strengthening our public schools and advocating on behalf of our families and staff members.

1. Growth– Rapid growth in our county has had a tremendous impact on our schools. To meet these growing needs, it is essential to ensure that our teachers and students have access to the necessary resources, adequate staffing, and support services. By addressing these needs, we can continue to provide a high-quality education and maintain a positive learning environment for all students.
   
   
2. Teacher retention– It is a significant issue nationwide, and we must address this challenge in our county as well. I am committed to understanding the root causes of why teachers are leaving and taking proactive steps to improve retention by advocating and bringing awareness. This includes implementing exit interviews to gather valuable insights from departing teachers and using this information to create a supportive and rewarding environment that encourages our educators to stay and thrive.
   
   
3. Safety– Our children’s overall well-being is of utmost importance. While ensuring physical safety is crucial, we must also prioritize mental health to create a supportive and thriving educational environment. More and more students in early elementary are being diagnosed with anxiety and/or depression. In NC, 1 in 3 high schoolers experience helplessness and 1 in 6 experience suicidal ideations. I’d hate to see what those numbers look like in middle school.

As a certified teacher with extensive experience in various educational settings and working with children who have varying abilities, I am dedicated to providing high-quality education for ALL students (General education, EC, ESL, and AIG). I am also a mother of children enrolled in the Cabarrus County School District, where I actively serve as a PTO board member. I collaborate with staff and families in our schools consistently to support their diverse needs. My most recent work includes assisting small reading groups in a school and tutoring students using the Orton-Gillingham methodology outside of school. I am vested in supporting children! My teaching philosophy focuses on providing comprehensive support for every child, encompassing cognitive, social-emotional, academic, physical, and mental aspects for all students. I am passionate about serving my community and utilizing my unique experiences and educational knowledge to advocate for policies that impact the whole child. Recently graduating as a fellow from the esteemed Institute of Political Leadership in Raleigh, NC has further empowered my candidacy for the school board. I am eager to embark on this new chapter, bringing my wealth of experience and unwavering commitment to education and community service to the forefront.