APRIL 2023 | Dr. Christina Kishimoto
Jessica Powell has been a trustee with the Salina City Elementary School District for three years and is a classroom teacher in a neighboring district. Watch the video and read the transcript as Dr. Kishimoto discusses taking the leap to serve in an elected role with this proud mom, educator, and board trustee.
Watch the conversation on YouTube here.
The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity.
Christina
Jessica, it’s great to see you. So I’m so excited because I met you earlier while you were doing a session. You were telling your story, and you have an amazing story. One of the things I’m really excited about is the work that you’re doing as a board member. So I’d love for you to tell me a little bit about that.
Jessica
Yeah, so I’m in Salinas City Elementary School District. So right next to the Monterey area, and this is my third year. So I reran last year and got the position. So now I’m in for four years. And my biggest thing, this time around as a board member, is really focusing on the whole child. Academics are very important but also the social emotional well-being of a student. And sometimes, we can get lost in the data, the numbers of just academics, that we can overlook the importance of the social emotional work of what we do for our kids. So I would definitely say going into it again this year as a school board trustee; that is my primary focus. To make sure that we speak to the whole child and not just to one area.
Christina
Certainly very much needed, especially now post-pandemic, with everything happening in the world and kids and even adults trying to figure out exactly what’s going on and how to handle it. What’s your political experience? So before you decided to run as a board member, I’m sure you had a wealth of political experience.
Jessica
No political experience. None at all. Just somebody that worked in the community and worked with a lot of kids and underserved populations. But no political experience whatsoever. So this is my very first taste of it.
Christina
So what was that entry like? Your first month, as this political figure now serving on a board representing the future and voices of community and students, what was that like?
Jessica
It was hard. It happened in December 2020. So we’re ending this weird year already with everything. And coming into a position and filling a board member who was very active in the community already and had been there for years. So for me, it was intimidating, if I’m being honest. I definitely doubted myself in the beginning, like, how am I going to do this, with everything else that I am doing, as an educator, a mom, and just in the community? I didn’t think it was possible. So that first month or two, I had a lot of self-doubt and questioning, wondering, was this the right thing to do? I wouldn’t say it became easier, but I started to learn more and started to adapt to that role in that position.
Christina
So you said as an educator and as a mom. So are you working in the field of education while serving on the board?
Jessica
I am, yes. Six years teaching as a high school teacher. So I’m actually in a sister district, to where I serve as a board member. So education full time, then serving on the board, and then also a parent to a teenager, a freshman in high school.
Christina
So I imagine education becomes your social life as well, at this point, when you’re doing so many roles.
Jessica
It does, but I try not to let it. I let the work day be the work day. And then when I go home, I really do my best not to bring work home, especially to my son. And for those that I’m working with, I do my best not to mix in the things unless it’s for a good cause or events or partnerships that we’re doing. But I definitely try to keep everything where it needs to be.
Christina
So, now you have three years of experience in this public political service elected role, your first political experience. Does this mean you are going to run for a Senate position at some point? Do you see a future in politics?
Jessica
I know the battles that we’re facing with the education system. It’s a set system, and to fix something, you have to know the language of it, and you have to be able to dissect it.
So for me, personally, I wouldn’t want to pursue more politics. However, thinking about the next generations, I’m being led and drawn to something deeper and bigger than what I’m doing right now. That way, I can understand and know what’s going on, so I’m able to find different solutions and problem-solve based on what I want to target. So, politics is definitely in my future. And it’s something I’m looking forward to, but definitely through the lens of helping the next generation.
“So, politics is definitely in my future. And it’s something I’m looking forward to, but definitely through the lens of helping the next generation.”
-Jessica Powell
Christina
That’s music to my ears. Because you know me, I like to know that women are taking on these policy roles that are impacting community, our future, the future of our kids, and this nation. And certainly, as women of color, we need to be engaged in the policy world. And, so high school teacher, on the board, I was very interested in how you answer the fact that you’re letting this happen, you’re waiting to see how this unrolls for you. And so I’m wondering, that must be part of who you are as a person, how you grew up, this leaving yourself open. Is that right?
Jessica
It is, yes. I’m very much a planner. However, I know you can’t force things to happen. You have to let it take its course, and what will be, will be. So, maturing over the years, I have been more prone to let go and let whatever needs to happen happen. And don’t fight against it, and don’t try to force it to happen. But if it’s meant to be, it will pan out the way it needs to be.
Christina
So let me ask you the policy question. What do you see as the most important policy issues? Whether it’s something that you’re already grappling with as a board or something that you haven’t grappled with yet within the official role as a board member. What do you believe is an important policy issue relative to success and access for kids?
Jessica
Honestly, one of the things is the pay for teachers. The work of educators, the work that we do, doesn’t stop once you leave the worksite. So, just knowing there are so many funds going towards other things versus taking care of our teachers and educators who care for our kids. That’s one huge thing that doesn’t make sense to me. But I kind of know what’s going on. But I want to know how I can make a difference.
Another thing is the funding for many of our low social economic schools, counties, communities, and cities. I grew up in the Monterey Peninsula. So we had okay facilities, but I had the chance in middle school to go to a private school for two years. And seeing that difference within a five-minute drive makes you wonder why they have more than what we have. And so finding ways to address the funding issue for our schools, for our kids, and also for our educators.
Christina
I’d love to push you further back if you’re willing. Who was Jessica as a little girl? What things came across your path that made you passionate about education, go into teaching, and become a board member? Usually, in retrospect, we’re like, oh, some of these things started lining up for me.
Jessica
If you had asked me if I was going to be in education, I would have said no (laughs). I was into sports. I wanted to be a physical therapist, athletic trainer. That was my background in college. But it wasn’t until I really started doing community work that I was in a position to empower young girls through my story. And it was through a club called PEARLS Status. And so it was through that program and then also remembering certain teachers growing up who actually cared about me and were there for me. Even in my shortcomings, they were there to help pick me up and say, you can still do it. Go pursue what you want to do. And so bridging those two things together influenced me to think about becoming a teacher.
When I say teaching fell into my lap, it literally fell into my lap to where I was approached with opportunity. I said why not, keeping an open mind like, okay, I have a chance to get my Master’s in athletic training, or I can become an educator. People will say, get your master’s in athletic training. Still, my heart knew that it was in education that I needed to be.
Christina
That’s fantastic. I love the way you share your story. Another thing I want to ask you is your perspective on women of color serving on boards and what you would advise some of our colleagues about serving on a board and being perhaps intimidated by it.
What would you tell them? What would you advise them?
Jessica
I would tell them to think about the girls or the kids that look like them, that they’re representing, whatever ethnic background they identify as. I am one of the first black females in this role as a school board member and the youngest one. It gives me a sense of good empowerment where now I want to go and help other young girls and say, you can make a difference. You can be in these leadership roles. It doesn’t have to be what we’re used to seeing. But why not shake the table a little bit and change the narrative.
And so it has given me some insight into representation and going out there. Because a lot of times, we can see people that look like us on the big screen, and they look untouchable, like, Oh, I could never get to that level, I could never be that. But when we’re able to use our power and position to meet our young kids where they’re at and help bring them up, that’s something I definitely want to continue to do. And that’s what I will say to other women out there, think of the ones you’re representing. Think of how they’re going to feel when they see you up there, how proud they’re going to be. But also think about how we can come back down and give them the tools and the things they can use to be in the position you’re in today.
Christina
I love it, rather than saying being at the table, shaking the table. I’m gonna have to use that. Let’s shake the table.
I am thrilled to know a little more about you and to watch your career. And I’m gonna watch closely because I imagine you taking more public political roles. And so I encourage you.
Jessica
Thank you.
Christina
Thank you. Take care.
