Zsa-Zsa Booker (Fitzgerald Public Schools, At-large, Michigan, candidate 2024)

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Zsa-Zsa Booker
Image of Zsa-Zsa Booker

Candidate, Fitzgerald Public Schools, At-large

Elections and appointments
Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

Ph.D

Wayne State University, 2016

Personal
Birthplace
Detroit, Mich.
Profession
Educator and administrator
Contact

Zsa-Zsa Booker ran for election for an at-large seat of the Fitzgerald Public Schools in Michigan. She was on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024.[source]

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

[1]

Biography

Zsa-Zsa Booker provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on October 29, 2024:

  • Birth date: February 25, 1986
  • Birth place: Detroit, Michigan
  • PhD: Wayne State University, 2016
  • Gender: Female
  • Profession: Educator and Administrator
  • Incumbent officeholder: No
  • Campaign slogan: Putting our kids education first!
  • Campaign endorsements
  • Campaign Facebook

Elections

General election

General election for Fitzgerald Public Schools, At-large (2 seats)

Zsa-Zsa Booker, Judy Lynn Furgal, and Julia Yokel ran in the general election for Fitzgerald Public Schools, At-large on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
Image of Zsa-Zsa Booker
Zsa-Zsa Booker (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
Judy Lynn Furgal (Nonpartisan)
Julia Yokel (Nonpartisan)

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Election results

Endorsements

Booker received the following endorsements. To view a full list of Booker's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

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

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My name is Dr. Zsa-Zsa Booker, and I have over 14 years of experience in education. I have extensive expertise in educational evaluations and learning and development in both K-12 and higher education settings.

My decision to run for the Fitzgerald School Board was inspired by a parent who shared a deeply concerning experience of their child being bullied. This incident underscored the urgent need for stronger support systems within our schools. I am dedicated to creating a learning environment where every student feels safe, supported, and valued.

My primary focus areas are safety, curriculum, and budget, which are essential components of a well-rounded education. I am committed to collaborating with stakeholders to implement comprehensive safety policies and measures. Additionally, I will advocate for a curriculum that balances academic excellence with practical life skills. Finally, I will work diligently to ensure responsible budget allocation to support these critical initiatives.
  • The Fitzgerald School Board is currently grappling with critical issues such as school safety, curriculum, and teacher retention. Ensuring a safe learning environment for our students is paramount. Given the escalating threats to school safety, it's imperative to implement comprehensive policies and procedures to address potential violent assailant scenarios. My research indicates a lack of such a plan within the Fitzgerald School District. If elected, I propose initiating a collaborative effort with the Michigan School Safety Academy to acquire the knowledge and resources necessary to enhance our district's Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) with a specific focus on violent threats.
  • The alarming rate of teacher turnover within our district is a significant concern. To maintain a high-quality education for our students, it's essential to prioritize teacher retention. If elected, I will advocate for the development of a strategic plan that fosters a supportive and rewarding environment for our educators.
  • I believe that the Fitzgerald School District falls short in providing adequate opportunities for technical training and career planning. While there are existing programs that address skill trades, I advocate for significant expansion in this area. Incorporating courses like Family and Consumer Sciences (Home Economics) into our curriculum would equip our students with essential life skills, fostering well-rounded individuals who are prepared for adulthood beyond their K-12 education. If elected, I will champion the implementation of more comprehensive educational programming and curriculum that includes these vital life skills.
The areas of public policy that I am most passionate about include having safe and inclusive environments as well as providing our kids with a quality education. In order to provide quality education we must first establish safe schools. The Fitzgerald District's current safety plan is insufficient. As both a parent and a candidate for the School Board, this is a top priority. The safety of our children is paramount, and without adequate emergency preparedness, we risk leaving their well-being to chance. Many school districts, including Fitzgerald, have outdated Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) that lack specific protocols for active shooter and violent assailant scenarios. This is a critical issue that demands immediate attention.
The core principles for an effective elected official are leadership, collaboration, problem-solving, and accountability.

A strong leader is essential to guide a community with stability and fairness. Additionally, effective collaboration is crucial, as elected officials often need to engage with diverse stakeholders. A skilled problem-solver is necessary to address the challenges faced by constituents, requiring strategic thinking, creativity, and adaptability.

Finally, accountability is paramount. Public officials must be held responsible for their actions and decisions. This distinguishes great leaders from merely good ones.
The first significant historical event I recall is the tragic events of September 11, 2001. As a 15-year-old tenth-grader, I vividly remember watching the news in my Academic Games class, filled with a mix of fear and confusion. I wondered about the extent of the damage, the number of lives lost, and the profound impact this event would have on our world. The sudden dismissal from school and the subsequent weeks of news coverage were a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the interconnectedness of our global community.

As a parent, I hope that my daughter will never have to experience such a traumatic event. I am committed to working towards a safer future by advocating for comprehensive emergency preparedness plans that address a wide range of potential disasters.
UAW Region 1

Democratic Black Caucus of Macomb County
Carl Marlinga, Congressional Candidate

Donovan McKinney, State Rep.

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 Booker completed for other organizations. If you are aware of a link that should be added, email us.

See also


External links

Footnotes