Post-Election Reflections: Han Tran, newly elected Northshore School Board Place 3, Bothell, WA

PIVOT Note: Han Tran was a candidate endorsed by PIVOT and she successfully won her election in the November 2023 election. We chatted with her to get her post-election thoughts on how it feels to win, and to talk about what she hopes to accomplish.

How does it feel to win the election? What do you hope to accomplish?

Life has come full circle for me. The Northshore School District played a pivotal role in shaping my adolescence during my time at Inglemoor High, where memories of shared achievements, like surpassing our can food drive goals in order to get a major pop artist like Christina Aguilera to perform in our gym, are etched in my mind. Or the hours that I spent in pottery class and being able to be an assistant for the ceramics teacher. Or team building through sports. It's the same district that fostered an environment of warmth and acceptance, shaping my positive experiences.

Now, after traveling the world, I find myself drawn back to contribute to the district where I've formed so many fond memories. The same educator who once organized those impactful can food drive events encouraged me to run for the school board and after a decisive win of over 55% combined votes in Snohomish and King County, I get to be a director in the same district my young children are attending school.

My vision is to ensure that every student in the Northshore School District can experience the same welcoming environment and build joyous memories that will stay with them into adulthood. A beautiful and identity-affirming educational environment is crucial for students to focus on their studies without worrying about safety or basic needs. A district that supports its educators and provides them the support they need to be the best for the students is also part of my vision.

Reflecting on my journey, PIVOT has been a similar source of support. It's a community where our identities are celebrated and I feel a sense of belonging. These gatherings have not only allowed me to connect with local small business owners and other families but also provided a platform to invite people to campaign events, with some PIVOT members even attending the campaign kick-off. Having supporters for my campaign was crucial. No one runs a campaign like this alone.

In turn, I do not expect to govern alone. Being a school board director requires a team player mentality. With four other school board directors, we must communicate a unified vision to the administration. Especially in a time of crisis. The Northshore School District is facing a significant challenge in conveying the importance of public education to state and federal elected officials. A looming $26 million crisis threatens the very fabric of the educational system in Northshore. The board has to make difficult decisions on which essential programs we need to cut. This financial struggle is not unique to Northshore, and my concern is that without prompt intervention, the vision of creating a robust, equitable, and inclusive educational program, along with a beautiful learning environment, may remain elusive.

The alarming defunding of public education is a perilous trend that demands our attention whether one has children or not because that child that grows up will be the next generation of adults who will be making decisions while we are elders. We want them to be successful and have all the tools they need to make informed decisions.

Every child deserves quality education and every educator deserves support to give their students the best chance at a vibrant and fulfilled life beyond the classroom. I hope we help students in the Northshore district reach their full potential.