Endorsements
I’m proud to endorse Rachel Blakeslee for School Board. Rachel will lead by keeping our students at the core of every decision! Our students, staff and families deserve board members who are accessible, accountable and courageous. Rachel is all three. Please join me in supporting Rachel Blakeslee for School Board.
Margo Bellamy, Anchorage School Board
Rachel will be a tremendous asset to the Anchorage School Board! She’s a smart, approachable former educator who has tirelessly advocated for the resources needed to get students on track, to grow and retain a diverse teacher workforce and to foster nurturing learning environments needed to help all kids thrive. After all this time, she remains deeply committed to improving ASD’s accessibility and accountability to the community through improved communication. I am grateful that she’s willing to serve!
Kelly Lessens, Anchorage School Board
Having served on the School Board for years, I know the job can be challenging, and it takes someone steady and community-minded to do it well. Rachel Blakeslee is that person. She listens, asks smart questions, and takes time to understand how changes affect real people in our schools. Her commitment to transparency and practical problem-solving is exactly what Anchorage needs right now. I support Rachel and believe she’ll be a thoughtful, effective School Board member.
Andy Holleman, Anchorage School Board
I work on the School Board every day, and I know how much it matters to have people who listen, communicate clearly, and put students first. Rachel Blakeslee does all of that. She is committed to helping families understand how decisions are made — especially when it comes to our budget and big policy changes. Rachel will help grow trust in the district and keep the focus on what students and teachers need to succeed.
Carl Jacobs, school board president
Rachel Blakeslee has the qualifications to earn your vote for the Anchorage School Board. She cares about Anchorage’s kids and families; she knows the challenges families and kids face today because she is a mom with kids! Add to that, Rachel is engaged in the work of the ASD, both policy and finances. She is smart, thoughtful, a listener and actively participates in doing the work. I know Rachel will be an outstanding school board member, advocating for families and kids and wisely helping to lead the ASD as a great school district.
Senator Cathy Giessel, Senate Majority Leader
Rachel Blakeslee is a proven, effective education advocate, and will do a fantastic job on the Anchorage School Board.
Representative Zack Fields
Rachel's commitment to strong education is undeniable. Her dedication and leadership will add tremendous value to the Anchorage School Board.
Zac Johnson, Anchorage Assembly
I am very excited to see Rachel run for Anchorage School Board and I believe her dedication to public schools, Alaska, and the outdoors all make her the ideal candidate for the position. I have enjoyed her energy and dedication to Great Alaska Schools, her letters to the editor in support of public education, and her passion. I appreciate that she has young kids (one in the ASD school system and one will be soon) and a first hand ability to see the impacts of funding, class sizes, and teacher feedback. I strongly believe Rachel is the right person for a seat on the ASD School Board and will be invaluable to students, teachers, and fellow board members.
Jessica Noble, Anchorage parent
Our family has had the privilege of getting to know Rachel and her family over the last five years, both in professional and personal capacities. In that time, we have witnessed her bring people together through deep listening, building shared understanding and ultimately drawing resources toward solutions that work. The Anchorage School District needs talented professionals, like Rachel, who can hit the ground running, develop and communicate clear and effective strategies, and empower the talented staff across the District. We need people, like Rachel, who can work fluently with complex budgets and who understand how to use public dollars to their maximum effect. We need creative people, like Rachel, who can navigate divisive issues with the professionalism and empathy that our community deserves. We need Rachel!
Ellen and Leon Jaimes, Anchorage parents
Rachel is a powerful advocate for our public schools. She cares deeply about student learning and she has the skills the passion in the drive that our school district needs in these challenging times.
Megan McBride, parent and former high school teacher