Audrey Elion

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Audrey Elion

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 1, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

The University of Memphis, 1993

Graduate

The University of Memphis, 1997

Ph.D

The Pennsylvania State University, 2007

Personal

Birthplace

Memphis, Tenn.

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal Twitter

Personal LinkedIn

Audrey Elion ran for election to the Memphis-Shelby County Schools school board to represent District 5 in Tennessee. She lost in the general election on August 1, 2024.

Elion completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Audrey Elion was born in Memphis, Tennessee. Elion earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Memphis in 1993, a graduate degree from the University of Memphis in 1997, and a Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University in 2007.

Elections

2024

See also: Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Tennessee, elections (2024)

General election

General election for Memphis-Shelby County Schools school board, District 5

Sable Otey defeated incumbent Mauricio Calvo and Audrey Elion in the general election for Memphis-Shelby County Schools school board, District 5 on August 1, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sable Otey (Nonpartisan)	44.0	3,095
		Mauricio Calvo (Nonpartisan)	34.4	2,419
		Audrey Elion (Nonpartisan)	21.7	1,528

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 7,042
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Porsha Goodman (Nonpartisan)

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Elion in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Audrey Elion completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Elion's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a Native Memphian, a product of Memphis City Schools, and an advocate for youth. I have over fifteen years of experience working for the school system, including helping people deal with mental health issues and serving as a substitute teacher. Also, I am working as an Arise2Read tutor, a Tn Achieves mentor, and a vendor for Memphis Shelby County Schools. Additionally, I am the Co-Director for Sowing Justice, an environmental advocacy group, an entrepreneur, and Chair for the Greater Memphis Region of the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Addressing literacy and providing quality educational opportunities for students extending beyond traditional classrooms is key.
• Schools must prioritize mental health support for both students and teachers including providing access to more counselors or therapists and offering mental health education and resources.
• Addressing student safety and aging infrastructure in schools is essential for creating a conducive learning environment where students can thrive.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am personally invested in literacy as an Arise2Read tutor and substitute teacher and in The Reading 360 program which is intended to enhance literacy skills. This program also supports resources for all stakeholders to promote phonics skills.

The Tennessee promise is a comprehensive scholarship which facilitates recent high school graduates in getting an associate’s degree or certificate.

The Jason Flatt Act (or the Suicide Prevention Act) which trains personnel to handle mental health and suicide risks in grades K-12.

Tennessee policy mandates educating students about environmental health and the necessity to have a safe school and healthy environment. The curriculum covers clean water, air, safe spaces, and understanding wellness.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

1) Commitment: The desire to serve the public, our students, teachers, staff, parents and strive to achieve the goals and objectives of the

       office.

2) Vision: Looking to the future with a clear and forward-thinking plan.

3) Accountability: Being responsible for actions and decisions and answering the public.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember September 11, 2001. That day will forever engrained in my memory. I was attending Pennsylvania State University and walked into the University Center and saw a plane hit the twin towers. I, along with other students stood there paralyzed, in shock and disbelief.

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

The primary job of a school board member in Memphis, TN, is to oversee and set district policy on Superintendent oversight, curriculum, community involvement, facilities management and accountability.

Who are your constituents?

My constituents are students, teachers, parents, school personnel, and the community at large.

What principles drive your policies for safety in schools?

Addressing student safety and aging infrastructure in schools is essential for creating a conducive learning environment where students can thrive. A school environment free from mold, mildew, lead, foundation, and air conditioning/heating issues is necessary and vital. I am also deeply concerned with reducing violence.

How might you support the mental health needs of students/faculty/staff?

One of my goals is to prioritize access to mental health and social services. As a school employee, I have seen the impact that these services can have to help address behavioral issues and violence problems that plague our schools. Our students need more coping skills. Teaching our young people how to self-regulate emotions and understand trauma responses is a necessary step towards academic success.

What will you do to build a relationship with parents in the district?

I will schedule quarterly town halls, attend Parent Teacher organizations/associations meetings and school events and be accessible to the parents, via phone or email. Participating in quarterly meetings with parents would allow them the opportunity to express their concerns in an open and honest environment. I would also use anonymous surveys to gather information about topics of interest and areas of concern for the parents. Engaging all parents and parent groups is essential to address issues relevant to them.

What are your preferred strategies for faculty, staff, and administration recruitment?

The strategies involve engagement with the local community to build strong relationships and create a network for recruitment, developing partnerships with businesses and organizations. Collaborate with these businesses and organizations for joint recruitment efforts and community support.
In summary, plans for recruiting faculty, staff, and administration might involve: Targeted recruitment initiatives, simplifying and speeding up the hiring process to reduce barriers and delays in bringing on new staff, developing a strong brand and using various marketing channels (social media, job fairs, community events) to reach potential candidates, using testimonials from current staff to highlight the positive aspects of working for MSCS, emphasizing diversity and inclusion efforts, providing professional development and career growth opportunities, engaging with the local community to build strong relationships and creating a network for recruitment, and collaborating with local businesses and organizations for joint recruitment efforts and community support.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

2024 Elections

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Candidate

Memphis-Shelby County Schools school board, District 5

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