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Stori Zimmerman
From Ballotpedia
This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Stori Zimmerman ran for election to the Fairfax County Public Schools to represent Mount Vernon District in Virginia. She lost in the general election on November 7, 2023.
Zimmerman completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Stori Zimmerman earned a bachelor's degree from Methodist University in 1999 and a graduate degree from Colorado College in 2006.[1]
Elections
2023
See also: Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia, elections (2023)
General election
General election for Fairfax County Public Schools, Mount Vernon District
Mateo Dunne defeated Stori Zimmerman in the general election for Fairfax County Public Schools, Mount Vernon District on November 7, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Mateo Dunne (Nonpartisan) | 60.3 | 19,044 | |
 | Stori Zimmerman (Nonpartisan)  | 39.0 | 12,298 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.7 | 226 | ||
| Total votes: 31,568 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Harold Earl Sims Jr. (Nonpartisan)
Endorsements
Zimmerman received the following endorsements.
- Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears (R)
- Fairfax County, Va., Republican Party
- Colonial Mount Vernon Republican Women's Club
- The NoVA Project
- Shelly Arnoldi (Independent) - Frmr. Chair, Fairfax Moms for Liberty
Campaign themes
2023
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Stori Zimmerman completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Zimmerman's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I am Stori Zimmerman, running to be the next Mount Vernon Representative on the Fairfax County School Board. My family and I moved into the area in 2018. I am a mom, educator, and military spouse. I hold a BS in Physical Education and Biology and a Master of Arts in Teaching. I have been an educator in and out of the classroom for over 25 years. Not only have I provided educational instruction on every grade level (K-12) as a public school teacher, but as a program manager, I developed, implemented, instructed, and managed youth, young adult, adult, and older adult educational programs in the nonprofit and private sectors. I have been responsible for producing and overseeing: annual operating budgets, educational evaluations and assessments, compiling and reporting on data collected, managing human relations responsibilities, implementing staff development and educational trainings, certifications, and continuing education opportunities, and collaborating with other program managers to develop and maintain public relations strategies to promote the vision and mission of the organizations. I have volunteered countless hours in the various communities I have lived in as a military spouse through military family readiness groups and events, military child awareness campaigns, and nonprofit fundraising campaigns, as a youth and young adult soccer coach, a classroom parent, a mentor, and tutor, as a PTA volunteer, and on the board of our local citizens' association.
- Let’s get back to LEARNING. While I am certain that FCPS has the capacity to provide an education that is rich in academic excellence and experiences for ALL students, we can and should be doing better. We need members on our School Board who will prioritize students and learning over politics in the classroom so that our teachers and administrators have the autonomy to foster school atmospheres that are conducive and effective learning environments. I want to make certain that FCPS reprioritizes its focus on teaching our students the foundational educational elements that will underpin the rest of their education and positively impact them throughout their lives.
- LITERACY – the US DOJ states “The link between academic failure and delinquency, violence, and crime is welded to reading failure.” Strong reading skills are the keystone to success in life and the statistics related to illiteracy are shocking. When we address and remediate the literacy problems in our FC schools many of the other issues that we are facing such as chronic absenteeism, violence, bullying, and retention of teachers & staff will begin to course correct. I will advocate the adoption of an evidence-based structured literacy methodology, implemented with fidelity, division-wide, starting in kindergarten with the instruction grounded in the five pillars of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, & comprehension.
- We need an honest and thorough review of what teaching means in our Fairfax County Public Schools. Not only are teacher shortages an issue nationally, but FCPS is hemorrhaging highly qualified teachers and administrators. I will advocate for top pay and benefits for our educators, bus drivers, and support staff but we must make it a priority to grow and develop our educational leaders from within our communities. It is imperative that we support our educators and give them multiple avenues and opportunities to expand their knowledge base and skillsets and "grow our bench from within" while also focusing on recruiting the best and brightest.
Education and learning have been central to my life's journey, fueled by a fervent belief that addressing the root cause of poverty begins with providing access to quality education. Our children represent our most valuable asset, and prioritizing learning is paramount to paving a pathway toward prosperity for them. Elevating learning to our top priority is not just a strategic move; it's a commitment to cultivating a future where education is the catalyst for progress. A well-rounded education not only correlates with higher incomes but also opens doors to diverse opportunities, reduces reliance on public assistance, and diminishes the likelihood of involvement in criminal activities. Education, as a transformative force, enriches minds, nurtures critical thinking, and empowers individuals to innovate, contributing positively to various spheres of life. By fostering a culture of learning, we not only enrich individual lives but also collectively shape a world that thrives on applied intelligence and the continual pursuit of knowledge. Encouraging critical thinking and instilling a sense of responsibility creates a society of lifelong learners who, in turn, generate opportunities that benefit us all.
Integrity, transparency, accountability, responsiveness, empathy, and a commitment to serving the community's best interests.
The core responsibilities of a School Board member should include setting educational goals, policies, and budgets; overseeing district administration; advocating for students, parents, and the community; and ensuring transparency and accountability in decision-making.
The gas shortages during the late 70's. I was probably 6-7 years old at the time. I remember the flags at the gas stations being either green, yellow, or red which signaled whether or not you could go there to fill up or if the station was only for emergency vehicles or had no gas at all.
Well, this is interesting because the first job I held was washing dishes in my grandparents' restaurant, The Western Kitchen, in Central Texas. I started working there around the age of 8 and continued to do so in the summers until High School. In High School, I worked as a cashier at the local grocery store and was a lifeguard during the summer at the local water park. I kept those jobs throughout High School only leaving them to go off to college.
In my view, the primary job of a school board member is to act as a dedicated advocate for the students, families, and community they serve. This involves making informed and equitable decisions that contribute to the overall improvement of the education system. School board members play a pivotal role in setting policies, allocating resources, and ensuring that the educational environment is conducive to the holistic development of every student. Collaboration with educators, parents, and community stakeholders is essential to understanding diverse perspectives and needs. Additionally, school board members should champion transparency, accountability, and fairness in all aspects of their decision-making processes to foster a thriving educational community. Ultimately, the primary responsibility is to work towards providing high-quality education that prepares students for success in a rapidly changing world.
Students, Parents, Teachers, Administrators, School personnel and staff, Mount Vernon and Fairfax County community members.
As a School Board member, I am committed to fostering strong relationships with various stakeholders, including parents, teachers, school administrators, community organizations, businesses, religious groups, and educational institutions. I believe in the collaborative nature of public education, recognizing that input and support from all these stakeholders are essential for success. To enhance transparency and community engagement, I advocate for an improved School Board process. This includes providing more time for parent and community input before decisions are finalized, ensuring clear communication on decisions made, and being responsive to concerns post-decision. Additionally, I aim to prioritize academic discussions in School Board meetings, bringing these important topics to the forefront of the agenda to ensure that the educational focus remains central throughout the meeting.
Virginia Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, Fairfax County Republican Committee, Colonial Mount Vernon Republican Women
My ideal learning environment for students is one that is inclusive, collaborative, and adaptive to diverse learning styles. It fosters a sense of curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity. Classrooms should be safe spaces where students feel supported and encouraged to express their thoughts. Technology plays a role in facilitating modern learning methods, providing resources and interactive tools. The curriculum should be relevant, engaging, and reflective of real-world applications. Teachers are not just educators but mentors, guiding students on their educational journey. Assessments are varied, focusing on understanding rather than rote memorization, and providing constructive feedback. Overall, an ideal learning environment encourages a lifelong love of learning, prepares students for the challenges of the future, and instills values of empathy, respect, and resilience.
Building a strong relationship with parents in the district is a top priority for me. I plan to be present, be seen, listen, and establish transparent and open lines of communication. I believe in fostering strong partnerships between parents and teachers, encouraging regular conferences, workshops, and active parental involvement in their child's education. I aim to create a collaborative and supportive educational community that benefits both students and their families.
We must embark on a comprehensive evaluation of the teaching landscape in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) to address the national challenge of teacher shortages and the notable departure of highly qualified educators and administrators within our district. My advocacy centers on providing competitive pay and benefits for educators, bus drivers, and support staff. However, the emphasis should be on cultivating educational leaders from our own communities. It is crucial to prioritize the growth and development of our educators by offering various avenues for expanding their knowledge and skillsets. By creating opportunities for professional growth and investing in the continuous development of our talented educators, we can establish a robust internal talent pipeline. Simultaneously, we must focus on attracting the best and brightest professionals to ensure the sustained excellence of our educational system.
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.
Other survey responses
Ballotpedia identified the following surveys, interviews, and questionnaires Zimmerman completed for other organizations. If you are aware of a link that should be added, email us.
See also
2023 Elections
External links
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Candidate Fairfax County Public Schools, Mount Vernon District |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 4, 2023
