Education Access

Issues

I’m Stephanie Powell, and education’s been my lifeline—from my East Side roots to my Air Force days and now as your District 2 candidate. Growing up in Houston, I was the youngest of six, always nose-deep in books at school. My teachers at Sam Houston High were my heroes—Ms. Carter’s history lessons sparked my love for our civil rights legacy, and Mr. Lopez’s math drills taught me grit. I’d race home to tell my parents, Calvin and Margaret Coleman, about every new thing I learned, dreaming of a future bigger than our block.

That dream took me to the Air Force—30 years of service, from enlisted to officer, where education kept me sharp. I earned my Associate’s at St. Phillips and Palo Alto Community Colleges while working nights, then my Bachelor’s and Master’s at Wayland Baptist University San Antonio, all while raising a family. The Air Force taught me discipline, but those degrees gave me wings—skills I used in Personnel and Program Management, supporting our nation’s heroes. Education wasn’t just a ladder; it was my armor.

Now, running for District 2, I see our kids facing real barriers—school closures are gutting our East Side, and SAISD’s losing ground. I’ve watched schools like Wheatley struggle, and the voucher program? It’s a disaster—draining funds from Sam Houston High, leaving our ~$35,000-income families with less. I’m against it, full stop. We need to keep our schools open, not shutter them. My plan’s simple: partner with SAISD for after-school programs—tutoring, sports, arts—so our kids aren’t on the streets. I’ll push job-ready training in high schools, like auto tech or coding, so grads can work right here in St. Paul Square. And I’m backing community learning hubs at places like Ella Austin—safe spots for kids to grow, not just get by. By 2026, I’ll get 100 kids into these programs, building an East Side where education lifts us all. Let’s make District 2 a place where every child succeeds—join me!