Kiana Sears
Las Sendas resident Kiana Sears is running for the Mesa Public Schools Governing Board.
A Mesa resident for more than 20 years, Kiana is a wife and proud mother of two children who attended and graduated from Mesa Public Schools. Kiana currently serves as a corporate relations executive with the Valley of the Sun United Way. She previously has served as a member of the research staff with the Arizona Senate and an executive consultant for the Arizona Corporation Commission.
In addition to her long history and experience as a civically engaged Mesa resident, Kiana would offer the board a new perspective. If elected, she would be the first minority member of the school board, as well as the first Las Sendas resident on the board.
Over the years, this wife and mother has stayed engaged in the Mesa Public Schools system as an Art Masterpiece volunteer and as a member of those parent teacher organizations where her two daughters attended school.
Mesa Public Schools is the largest majority-minority district in the state, and Kiana believes it is vital to have minority representation on the board.
“The school board needs to reflect the community,” she said.
Kiana embraces the diversity within the school district and the community, and credits this diversity as one of her favorite things about Mesa.
However, Kiana also believes Mesa Public Schools can be improved by mobilizing and connecting the community.
“The most valuable resource we have is the power of community,” she said.
As the world becomes increasingly technology-oriented, and children become more engaged with the Internet, Kiana says people have come to believe this generation of children is different and doesn’t require the same types of resources as previous generations.
“There’s a belief children today are different, but they’re not different,” Kiana said. “They still need the same basic things our generation did, which is a connected, supportive community.”
Kiana believes increasing awareness among community members and enlisting their help, especially the help of retired community members, is key in improving our schools without relying on an increased budget.
Her interactions with Mesa community members have shown her many residents are willing to help improve schools, by donating money or supplies or by volunteering. Many don’t know which schools need additional help and resources, however.
“About ten minutes from my home, there are subpar elementary schools, where education is the best tool to break the cycle of poverty,” she said. “Failing to provide a quality education perpetuates the cycle of poverty. Let’s provide quality education for all children, creating a brighter future and stronger economy in Mesa.”
She also believes it is important to acknowledge the fact different schools need different resources. By acknowledging these differences, it is possible to provide all children with the same exemplary education.
“We’ve taken a cookie-cutter approach, which does not address the needs of all communities,” she said. “Every single child deserves to learn and have access to the resources we already have available in our district.”
For more information on Kiana Sears, visit sears4mesaschools.com.