WHY I’M RUNNING
My name is Cristin Craig and I have dedicated my entire career to equity in education – first as a paraprofessional, then as a licensed special education teacher and school administrator, and now as a leader in educator professional development. For the past five years, my partner and I have also been proud members of the Columbia Heights community.
I am running to bring my passion and experiences to serve our community on the Columbia Heights Board of Education this Election Day, Tuesday, November 3.
As a lifelong educator who has worked in urban, suburban, and charter schools, as well as in district and state-level roles, I know and understand the difficulties facing schools. In all of these positions, I have seen how the needs of students continue to grow, as do the needs and expectations of teachers, support staff, and administrators – but state and federal funding does not. Districts have to make magic in more challenging conditions than ever. Our district is working to heal from the presence of ICE in our community and facing severe budget shortfalls from state and federal cuts, among many other challenges. I will work to make equitable decisions with the resources we have, while advocating for increased funding through the 2026 school levy, passing the Permanent School Fund Amendment, and restoring lost funding in partnership with our state and federal officials.
Most of all, I am running because I believe our students are the future of Columbia Heights.
All students, regardless of ZIP code, skin color, language spoken, orientation, gender identity, or ability, deserve to feel safe, seen, and supported at school, and caregivers and educators must also be supported for them to succeed. I am deeply motivated to bring my knowledge of school funding, system governance, and daily school operations to the CHPS board to support our students, teachers, and families. I understand the board’s role in supporting the district strategic plan to create supportive school environments, foster strong instructional leadership, and improve student learning outcomes in literacy and other core academic areas. I would be honored to serve our community toward this end.
I was never prouder to live here than I was this winter when I was out in the cold with my community – patrolling our streets, ensuring students got to and from school safely, and providing support for those on the front lines to find places of healing from the trauma they experienced. The surge may have faded, but our work together remains. Our students deserve a high-quality education, to feel safe and protected in their community, and to know their education is something no one can ever take from them.
It would be my honor to uphold these values on our school board.
I would love to hear about your vision for our schools, and I hope to earn your vote on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Sincerely,
Cristin