Dr. Samira Kahn
Dr. Samira Kahn
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I’m Dr. Samira Khan, an educator, immigrant, English-language learner, and proud Burlington community member. Education has shaped my life, and I have spent most of my adult life working to help students learn, grow, and see what is possible for their futures.
I earned degrees from High Point University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, including a doctorate in Educational Leadership. I have taught at Alamance Community College and Guilford College, and I bring to this race both professional experience in education and the personal perspective of someone who understands the challenges of learning English and building a life in a new country.
I am running for the Alamance-Burlington School System Board of Education because I believe strong public schools make strong communities. Every child deserves to feel safe, supported, welcomed, and challenged in school. I want to listen to families, support educators and staff, and work with the community to ensure our public schools have the resources and opportunities students need to succeed.
Website: www.votesamirakhan.com
Email: dr.khan4schoolboard@gmail.com
Instagram/Facebook: Dr. Khan for Education
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I’m running for the ABSS Board of Education because I believe strong schools begin with strong communities. Our schools and our community are closely connected. Students do best when families, educators, schools, and the community work together.
ABSS faces real challenges, and I believe we need thoughtful decisions, good communication, and a long-term commitment to our students. My priorities are student success, supporting and retaining good teachers, using our resources responsibly, and making sure we are accountable to our community.
As an educator and an immigrant, I know firsthand how education can change a person’s life and create opportunities. I want to bring a respectful, collaborative, and informed voice to the board. I will listen to educators, families, students, and community members, respect the work already being done, and work with others to make ABSS stronger for our students and our community.
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My three priorities are safe and supportive schools, supporting and respecting our teachers, and responsible planning for the future of ABSS.
First, every child deserves to learn in a safe and supportive environment where their well-being is a priority and families feel confident sending their children to school.
Second, great teachers build great schools. We need to respect and support our educators by listening to them, providing the resources they need, and working to attract and retain excellent teachers.
Third, ABSS must plan responsibly for growth. As our community grows, we need to look ahead, use our resources wisely, and make thoughtful decisions about facilities and future school needs.
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I would focus on setting clear priorities, supporting our educators, and making sure resources reach the students who need them most. As a board member, I would work with the superintendent and other board members to support strong academic programs and expand opportunities that prepare students for college, careers, and life after graduation.
I would listen to families, educators, and students, use data to understand what is working, and hold the district accountable for improving student outcomes. My goal is to help ensure that every ABSS student has a meaningful opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background or circumstances.
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I would approach the budget with a focus on students' needs, educational outcomes, and supporting our educators. As a board member, I would ask thoughtful questions, review the data, listen to educators and families, and work with the superintendent and fellow board members to identify priorities.
When resources are limited, we must make informed choices about what has the greatest impact on students, including competitive teacher compensation and the resources educators need in their classrooms, while also being mindful of long-term financial sustainability. I would support transparency and accountability so that families and the community can understand how resources are being used and why.
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An effective relationship between the ABSS Board of Education and the County Commissioners requires communication, respect, trust, and a shared commitment to our students and community. We have different responsibilities, but we need to work together to support our schools.
As an elected official, I would build this relationship by communicating regularly, listening to different perspectives, and working together on issues such as funding, student needs, and long-term planning. I would respectfully speak up for the needs of ABSS while also looking for practical solutions that benefit our students, families, and community.
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I believe good decisions start with listening. As a board member, I would make an effort to hear from students, families, educators, and community members through meetings, conversations, and community events.
I would listen to different perspectives, ask questions, and consider what I hear when making decisions. Not every request can be addressed in the same way, but people should know that their voices are respected and taken seriously. My goal would be to build trust through open communication, transparency, and a willingness to listen and work together.
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I believe ABSS needs to plan ahead and make responsible decisions about the future. As our community grows, we need to understand our enrollment, facility needs, and financial resources so we can prepare before problems become urgent.
As a board member, I would work with the superintendent, fellow board members, county leaders, and the community to review these needs, set priorities, and make thoughtful decisions about maintaining our schools and planning for future growth. I would also support clear communication so that families and the community understand our needs and how we are planning for them.
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One leadership experience that reflects how I would serve on the ABSS Board happened when I began teaching a new class. I quickly realized that the curriculum did not match the needs and readiness of the students I was teaching.
Instead of simply saying the curriculum was not working, I took the time to understand why. I reviewed the curriculum, the North Carolina standards behind it, and the learning needs of my students. I then developed an online curriculum that gave students the foundation they needed before moving into the required course material. I built the materials in Canvas and shared them with my leadership team, along with my concerns and my plan.
My goal was not to lower expectations for students, but to give them the support they needed to reach those expectations. This experience taught me the importance of listening, looking carefully at the facts, finding practical solutions, and communicating with others.
That is the kind of leadership I would bring to the ABSS Board: listen first, understand the problem, respect the work already being done, and work with others to find solutions that put students first.