Saturday October 19, 2024
Abdullahi Abdalla, candidate for the Alexandria School Board, stands in front of the city skyline as he campaigns for his first term. Abdalla's platform emphasizes support for teachers, student safety, and increased community engagement. CREDIT/ SUPPLIED
Mogadishu (HOL) — Abdullahi Abdalla, a member of the School Board Budget Advisory Committee, is running for his first term on the Alexandria School Board with a platform centred on supporting teachers, increasing community involvement, and enhancing student safety.
"Teachers need to have the resources and the voice to influence the policies that impact them directly," Abdalla said. "If we don't provide that support, the students ultimately bear the consequences."
Born in Arlington and raised in Fairfax County, Abdalla's personal experience in the education system has shaped his commitment to these issues. From fourth through 12th grade, he was on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), which gave him access to smaller classes and individualized learning support. While he once felt embarrassed by this, he now reflects on how instrumental that support was in his academic journey.
"I look back and wonder where I'd be without those services," he said, emphasizing how the support he received from teachers influenced his decision to advocate for better conditions for educators.
After graduating from Annandale High School in 2016, Abdalla pursued higher education, starting at Northern Virginia Community College and later transferring to Virginia Commonwealth University. Initially majoring in health and exercise science, he reevaluated his career path during the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting his focus to political science.
"It was a difficult time, and that's when I realized my passion was elsewhere," Abdalla said. "Political science resonated with me more, so I made the switch."
He later transferred to Marymount University, earning a bachelor's degree in political science and government in 2021. After graduation, Abdalla worked for the Ethiopian Community Development Council in Arlington, starting as an employment specialist and later becoming a legal aid coordinator, where he assisted Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders and asylum seekers.
Abdalla moved to Alexandria in 2021 and quickly integrated into local politics, attending monthly meetings of the Alexandria Democratic Committee. He served as a precinct captain for the John Adams Elementary School voting station during the 2023 election and plans to do so again in the upcoming election.
A major part of Abdalla's platform is increasing community engagement, particularly in Alexandria's West End, where many residents face challenges participating in school policymaking due to demanding work schedules.
"I've met parents who are juggling multiple jobs, making it difficult to get involved," Abdalla explained. "We need to provide more resources and opportunities for them to engage in important decisions, like budget priorities or school policies."
In addition to community involvement, Abdalla is committed to improving student safety and mental health services. He praised Alexandria City Public Schools' weapons abatement program, which introduced metal detectors and increased security measures. Abdalla also highlighted the importance of addressing substance abuse and expanding mental health resources for students.
"Substance abuse is a growing challenge for our youth, and we need to do more to provide mental health support," he said. "I want to ensure that we focus on both physical and emotional safety for our students."