Jones

Jones

Greetings Marlboro County Citizens!

I am Asiya Jones, and I am honored to announce my candidacy for the Marlboro County School Board, District Four. As a native of Bennettsville, SC, and a former educator in our district, I am deeply committed to the success of our students and the well-being of our community.

Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of serving in various educational roles within Marlboro County and beyond. I began my journey as a fifth-grade teacher at Bennettsville Elementary School, then moved on to become a Career Development Facilitator for McColl Elementary Middle School, and the School of Discovery. I also worked as a Dual Enrollment Coordinator with Northeastern Technical College. These roles allowed me to positively impact thousands of students across Forsyth, Florence, Dillon, Chesterfield, and Marlboro Counties.

My dedication to education extends beyond the classroom. I have worked with the Children Defense Fund as a student and counselor, coordinated the Girls Circle program, served as a Community Support Leader, and supervised the “Making a Difference” initiative with the Coalition for Family Enrichment. Additionally, I have served as a chairperson for the “Millfarm Community Reunion,” I currently hold a leadership position with Golden Tent, Tea Time with Teens, and have consistently worked to foster the educational, social, and spiritual growth of children at my home church, Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. These experiences have equipped me with the tools and insights needed to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our youth.

I draw inspiration from the educators and influencers who have shaped my life, especially my uncle, Mr. Eugene “Pete” Copeland, Jr. As the first African American Chief of Police in South Carolina and a former School Board Member, he set a high standard for servant leadership. His example motivates me to extend my hand to everyone with humility and grace.

Using my “Voice for Progress,” I aim to leverage my skills and experiences to ensure our youth receive the educational opportunities they deserve. My vision is to collaborate with our existing board members, district staff, teachers, students, parents, and community members to establish processes and methods that benefit all stakeholders. In doing so, always remembering that educating our children is our top priority.

As a future school board member, my vision is to support public education in Marlboro County to help:

• Enhance reading and comprehension skills for all students

• Improve student retention and reduce dropout rates

• Lower teacher turnover rates

• Attract highly qualified professionals to our schools

• Provide professional development opportunities to improve student achievement through quality instruction

• Increase parental and community involvement in our schools

Together, we can set a strategic path that enables our students to excel and exceed standards at every level. In the words of Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Thank you for your support. Let’s work together to create a brighter future for the Children and Citizens of Marlboro County.

Warm regards,

Asiya Jones, Candidate

School Board District #4