Abdullahi Abdalla focuses on championing educators and mental health in his campaign for the Alexandria school board.
Aspiring Alexandria School Board member, Abdullahi Abdalla, campaigns under the vast city skyline hoping to secure his inaugural term. Abdalla champions his cause with a fervent focus on championing educators, safeguarding students, and fostering robust community ties. CREDIT/ SUPPLIED
Mogadishu (AX) — Abdullahi Abdalla, a key player on the School Board Budget Advisory Committee, is vying for a seat on the Alexandria School Board. His campaign swings heavily towards empowering teachers, invigorating community participation, and boosting student safety.
“Educators need solid backing and a platform to shape policies impacting them,” stated Abdalla with conviction. “Fail to extend that support, and it’s the students who will feel the pinch.”
Growing up in Arlington and Fairfax County has deeply influenced Abdalla’s dedication to these causes. Navigating the education system on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) from fourth grade onwards, Abdalla once saw it as a burden but now recognizes its pivotal role in his educational success.
“Reflecting on my schooling, I often wonder where I’d stand without that guidance,” he pondered, stressing how the educators’ support steered him toward advocacy for their improved conditions.
After Annandale High School waved goodbye in 2016, Abdalla pursued academia at Northern Virginia Community College before venturing to Virginia Commonwealth University. He initially embarked on a health and exercise science path, but the pandemic nudged him toward political science.
“The times were tough, stirring a revelation in me about my true calling,” Abdalla conveyed. “Political science struck a chord, prompting a necessary pivot.”
He completed his political science degree at Marymount University in 2021. Post-graduation, Abdalla joined the Ethiopian Community Development Council in Arlington, first as an employment specialist, then a legal aid coordinator aiding Afghan immigrants and asylum seekers.
Settling in Alexandria in 2021, Abdalla quickly became a familiar face in local politics through the Alexandria Democratic Committee’s monthly meetings. He took on the role of precinct captain for the John Adams Elementary School polling station during the 2023 election, with plans to reprise this role in future elections.
One cornerstone of Abdalla’s agenda is amplifying community participation, especially in Alexandria’s West End, where convoluted work schedules hinder residents from engaging in school decisions.
“Countless parents juggle several jobs, stifling their ability to get involved,” Abdalla outlined. “We must furnish more resources and chances for them to weigh in on vital choices, like budget allocations and school policies.”
Beyond community engagement, Abdalla is resolute on enhancing student safety and mental health services. He commended the weapons abatement scheme of Alexandria City Public Schools, which rolled out metal detectors and ramped up security. Abdalla also spotlighted tackling substance abuse and enlarging mental health support for students.
“Substance abuse is an escalating issue our youth face, requiring robust mental health interventions,” he asserted. “My aim is to prioritize both the physical and emotional protection of our students.”
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
