This is part of a series of interviews with PGCPS Board of Education candidates. Cheryl Landis is one of four candidates from District 5 (see district map here) whose names will be on the ballot in the April 26th primary election. Ms. Landis answered questions generated by members of Prince George’s County Advocates for Better Schools.
Prince George’s County Advocates for Better Schools does not endorse or oppose any candidate for the Board of Education.
Tell us about your background and why you are running for the Board of Education.
I made the decision over ten years ago that upon my retirement from Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS), I would transition to an elected member of the Board of Education. On November 1, 2016, I will retire from PGCPS with 27-years of uninterrupted service. Why am I running for the Board of Education? It is my PASSION and my PURPOSE. Each and every step that I have taken since my initial employment with PGCPS in 1989 has successfully prepared me for the position I seek as an elected member of the Board of Education. I am prepared and committed to serving and supporting outstanding educational outcomes for our students.
37 years |
1979-present |
Prince George’s County volunteer, community organizer, activist, servant leader |
27 yrs
|
1989-present
- 1989-2006
- 2006-present
- 2010-present
|
Prince George’s County Public Schools’ Employee
- Executive Administrative Officer, Board of Education
- Strategic Business Partnerships Specialist
- Administrator, Excellence in Education Foundation for PGCPS, Inc.
|
10 years |
2006-present |
Member, Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee, Chair (2014-present) |
10 years |
2014-present |
Chair, Education/Workforce Development Committee, Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce |
What are your top three goals for PGCPS, and how do you plan to accomplish them, if elected?
I have worked for 37 years as a servant leader committed to improving the quality of life for all Prince Georgians. The past 27 years has been in public education, working with numerous boards of education, both elected and appointed. For 17 years (1989-2006), I was the Executive Administrative Officer to the very same Board of Education to which I seek election. And, for the past 10 years (2006-present), I serve as the school system’s Strategic Business Partnerships Specialist. My entire tenure with PGCPS is unique in and of itself as I have worked in only two (2) critical positions, both of which have successfully prepared me to serve as an elected member of the Board of Education. Because of my many years of service, I have developed the intellectual capacity that is needed to be an “effective” Board Member. I understand the critical importance of being collaborative and developing relationships with all stakeholders. This has given me a very unique lens through which I will serve the students, parents, and families.
Continue reading →