Yesterday, February 25, the Missouri National Education Association announced that it was giving an early endorsement to the reelection campaign of State Representative Jamilah Nasheed (D-St. Louis). The MNEA cited Nasheed’s “consistent and proven support for educational issues” in making their decision. No candidate interviews will be conducted with anyone who files against Nasheed.
Chris Guinther, President of the Missouri NEA stated, “Missouri NEA believes that a great public school is a basic right for every child. Our 34,000 member organization is pleased to recommend Jamilah Nasheed, who understands the responsibility that legislators have to make our public schools great.”
Nasheed said, “A sound education is one of the basic building blocks of quality life. It opens doors and provides opportunities. I look forward to continuing to work with the MNEA to improve the educational system in Saint Louis and the entire state of Missouri.”
February 26th, 2008 at 7:44 am
So when is Ms. Nasheed going to get an education? I understand she still has yet to complete her associates degree. Sounds to me like Ms. Nasheed likes to tell people what to do but does not feel that she must be held to the same standards. She continues to be a disgrace to this community.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:03 am
What is Ms. Nasheed’s main plan in helping the education problem in St. Louis. Also will this plan coincide with the state’s plans for the district.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Congratulations on the endorsement, Jamilah! You continue to make the district, community and city at-large proud.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Tired of Crazies–
We are still waiting for you to tell us the names of the seven elected board members.
Mr. Nave–
The state has no plans for the district. All they did was put the SAB in charge and they are going to let them do whatever they want.
February 26th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Lee Nave jr. Says:
February 26th, 2008 at 9:03 am
What is Ms. Nasheed’s main plan in helping the education problem in St. Louis. Also will this plan coincide with the state’s plans for the district.
Let us hope not.
and “We are still waiting for you to tell us the names of the seven elected board members.”
somebody wanted to know?
Mr. William (Bill) Purdy Principal Emeritus: Central & Roosevelt High Schools
Dr. Flint Fowler
Executive Director of Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Club
Secretary
Ms. Veronica O’Brien
State Farm Insurance Agent and business owner
Mr. David L. Jackson Vice President
Mr. Peter Downs
Ms. Donna Jones
Ms. Katie Wessling
I don’t think any elections are held this year?
February 26th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
tired of crazies, Lee Nave jr.
What have you been doing to help get kids to go to school?
Jamilah’s bee working with the In It 2 Win It program and getting kids who gave up on school to re-enroll.
That’s the walk that beats ya’lls talk!
February 26th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Thanks Kjoe, but actually I wanted to see if tired of crazies knew who they were, since he was very critical of the elected board in a previous post and I don’t think he actually knows anything about them or what they have tried to do.
February 26th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Bean- Counter
On an off topic question, who does Ms.Nasheed support in the up coming election. Also how successful is the “In It To Win It program” been to urban youths.
Also I am part of the Urban future organization of South Side St. Louis. in a mere year we have the ability to raise a students literacy rate from that of a second grader all the way to fifth. Our program is under funded yet we still(without Ms. Nasheed helping) achieve our goals. No offense to Ms. Nasheed at all, for I believe she has well intentions unlike the regular politican.
February 26th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Everyone regardless if their goal is a good one or a bad one has some kind of plan they hope to achieve. The state has some kind of plan to fix the district. They didn’t give the reps. power just to have control over something. The state has a purpose and I believe we all hope its a good one.
February 26th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Lee nave, I have mentioned this before—I think one clue as to what the state’s plan is, can be found at 4300 Goodfellow. I am not sure what you mean by the state, but if you mean the state board of education, to me, they seem to be more and more politically motivated with Blunt’s several new appointees, (including short stints of service by two of his rejected appointees) as opposed to above the fray education experts.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
No, the state does not have a plan. Ask the state board of ed what their plan is. They’ll tell you the SAB is in charge, not the “state”. So go ask the SAB what their plan is. And good luck getting an answer.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
True…sorry, but true.
The plan seems to be:
1. Do what you are told.
2. Schedule a bunch of public forums for “input”.
3. (see #1)
February 27th, 2008 at 11:27 am
I am very dissappointed that our voice in the State Capital couldn’t even muster the effort to receive a GED. We deserve better respresentation. We need serious people to work to fix our schools.
RESPONSE FROM ANTONIO FRENCH:
NOT ONLY DID REPRESENTATIVE NASHEED RECEIVE HER HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCE, BUT SHE IS ALSO PURSUING A DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI IN ST. LOUIS.
February 27th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
As an elected official I would hope she had at the very least a college degree. I apologize that I was wrong about her GED. At least she has accomplished that.
When does she expect to complete her degree from UMSL? How far along is she? What is her major? I have never seen her on campus so I am curious. (That hint my expose my identity.)
I wish her good luck but I still have a higher expectation of elected officials. She should worry about finishing her education and then she can talk to parents about their children’s education.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
A man by the name of George W. Bush went to a school by the name of Yale. This man by the name of Bush became president of the most powerful country in the world. Yet in just six years this presidents has made more fumbles than The 2008 St. Louis Rams. Is havn’t some top notch education the key to be a successful leader or is it the determination to help others with the best of your abilities. Ms. Nasheed is trying to better herself and those around her. I support her.
February 29th, 2008 at 11:40 am
I have a college degree and I am also a veteran with combat experience. My expectations of elected officials are very simple, and have little to do with their level of education and whether or not they have served in the military:
Make sense when you talk, make sense when you vote for legislation.
I am not in Jamilah Nasheed’s district, but if i were, she would meet my criteria.
March 1st, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Sorry kjoe but an education is important. It is hypocritical of Sen. Nasheed to tell people to do something she couldn’t even accomplish. I have heard her speak, she is extreme, disrespectful of others, rude and has a very limited vocabulary (though she tried often to use words incorrectly). I found it very uncomfortable listening to her knowing she is an elected official. I was embarrassed for the people of her district. She may be very nice to some people but elected officials are held to a higher standard. Thank you for your service Mr. Kjoe. I hope you will ask a lot more of your elected officials in the future.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:47 pm
Janice D.—thanks for your opinion. I ran across this on a google search———-it made me wonder if one person’s “rude and disrespectful” could be another person’s assertive”. Mayor Slay is usually courteous—while being one of the most manically destructive politicians I have seen in my lifetime. Do you really think Nasheed was qualified to try and run a bookstore?
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Jamilah Nasheed and St. Louis Schools
Schools tussle is target of legislator’s activism
commentary on an article by Steve Giegerich
Jenise “Niecy” Williams became Jamilah Nasheed when she became a member of the nation of Islam. Orphaned at age three, a victum of gangs and violence Williams had struggled and subsequently become a drop out of the St. Louis public school system. With her conversion to Islam came a new outlook on life. Going from gang member to activist the new Jamilah Nasheed has become an outstanding political leader in the fight for St. Louis Schools. Jamilah turned her life around with Islam. She started a small African-American bookstore where she met like-minded members of the community. The bookstore allowed her to meet others with like minded goals of changing the state of schools. Jamilah wanted to save children from the life she had experienced. She wants children to stay in school, and work towards a future. By meeting with community leaders, and ministers Jamilah has taken a head on approach to helping the children. She recognizes the lack of parent involvement and hopes to fill the gap with the educational support of community leaders, and ministers. She wants to stop control of city schools from being given to the state and her initiatives have the support of community parents and leaders. Jamilah is now asking for a seat in the Missouri house of representatives. Supporters believe she will be able to make the system work from within. Jamilah plans to continue her associates degree in public relations from St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley and eventually move on to law School. Her ultimate goal is to free her brother from prison.
As an advocate of public schools I found this article particularly interesting. I admire the passion of Jamilah and her ability to get a GED and turn her life around. I think that school boards and congress needs more people like her. People working for the people. I also found it interesting that she attends Flo-Valley It makes you feel good to know there are some truly outstanding leaders at your school especially when it gets looked down upon for being a Community College. I hope Jamilah will be successful in her race for the house. Her choice of opening a bookstore was an interesting one. I think it speaks to her true interests and commitment to the African-American community. I would like to know her broader plan for success with the public school system. I agree that a change needs to begin at home, parents need to become responsible for their children but I would like to know more about how she plans to approach that problem. I wonder what city teachers think of Jamilah. Do they see her lack of education as a weakness? or do they respect her attitude and actions. Teachers make all the difference, whatever happens with control of the school system teachers need to be informed and in agreement. I truly admire the work of Jamilah and I hope she will be successful in her endeavors.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:49 pm
The commentary above was by someone named Bryce Robinson