Jeremy York
Running for school board in Anne Arundel County District 7
How old will you be on Election Day (Nov. 5)?
38
Are you currently employed? If so, where, and what is your job title?
Coursera, senior strategy manager.
What is the highest level of education that you completed, and where did you get that degree?
Master’s of business administration, The George Washington University.
Why are you running for the school board?
I am running for the Anne Arundel County Board of Education because I believe that every child deserves access to a high-quality education, regardless of their background. I was profoundly shaped by my educational opportunities; education changed my life, and public education played a large role. I want to ensure that every child in our district has a chance to thrive.
As a Marine Corps veteran, a trustee of the Anne Arundel County Public Library, and a senior strategist at a leading education company, I bring a diverse set of experiences and a deep commitment to public service. I understand the value of collaboration, listening to one another, engaging with the community, and considering the personal impact and trade offs every decision can have on our students and families. I believe we can address the challenges facing our schools by working together across all levels of government and the community.
My campaign is driven by a passion for education, not politics. I will fight to support our teachers, expand access to early education, modernize college and career readiness programs and advocate for the mental health and well-being of all students. Our schools must be safe, inclusive environments where every student can learn and succeed. I am committed to being a strong advocate for every student and family in our district.
What makes you a good candidate for the board?
I have a unique combination of life and work experiences that have prepared me for this role, and I have the passion and commitment to our community that's needed to devote my energy to serving our students, families and teachers. As a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, I have demonstrated leadership and a dedication to service. My professional experience as a senior strategist at Coursera has given me a deep understanding of education trends, skills development and the future job market. Additionally, as a trustee for the Anne Arundel County Public Library, I have been a vocal advocate for freedom of information and inclusive access to resources.
I am the only candidate in District 7 endorsed by the Teachers’ Association, a testament to my commitment to supporting educators and advocating for fair pay and benefits to retain the best talent. I am deeply invested in our community’s future and I have a strong understanding of the challenges we face, from expanding access to pre-kindergarten to ensuring mental health support for all students.
I bring strategic and creative thinking, deep experience in organizational problem-solving, relationship building, and a genuine passion for making our schools the best they can be.
What is the most important issue facing your school board and what would you do about it if elected?
The most important issue facing our school board is attracting and retaining high-quality educators. Great teachers are the foundation of a strong education system, but nationwide, we are facing a crisis in teacher recruitment and retention due to inadequate pay, benefits and professional support.
If elected, I will advocate for policies that prioritize fair compensation, professional development and mentorship opportunities for our educators. I will work with county, state and school leadership to secure additional funding and resources to support these initiatives. We must also improve work-life balance for our teachers, give them more time to plan lessons, offer recognition and career advancement opportunities, and ensure they have access to essential services like the School Age Child Care program.
Beyond compensation, I will champion creating a supportive and respectful work environment that values teachers as critical partners in our children’s success. This includes advocating for adequate mental health resources for both students and staff, reducing administrative burdens and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation within our schools.
By focusing on these areas, we can attract, develop and retain the educators our students need to succeed, ultimately improving outcomes for all children in our district.
Please name a public leader you admire and explain why.
I admire Wes Moore for his commitment to dedication to service and the way he leads. As a veteran and former CEO of a major nonprofit organization, Moore embodies a unique blend of personal resilience, vision, and dedication to public service. His focus on expanding economic opportunity, improving education and addressing inequality reflects values I deeply share. Moore’s ability to connect with diverse communities and his emphasis on collaboration and inclusive growth resonate with my belief in leadership that brings people together to solve complex challenges. His commitment to creating a Maryland that works for everyone, particularly marginalized communities, inspires me to fight for every child’s right to a quality education and a brighter future.
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, passed by the General Assembly in 2021, is a 10-year plan that includes increased education funding to support early childhood education, increased teacher starting pay, college/career-readiness standards for high school graduates, and expanded services to multilingual and impoverished families, among other goals. Please tell us your views on the Blueprint and how it will affect your school district.
I support the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. It represents a strong step forward in ensuring that all Maryland students receive the education they deserve. By increasing funding for early childhood education, raising teacher pay, and setting rigorous college and career readiness standards, the Blueprint aligns closely with my priorities for our district.
For Anne Arundel County, the Blueprint will provide much-needed resources to expand access to pre-kindergarten programs, support multilingual and economically disadvantaged families and modernize our career and technical education programs to meet the needs of a changing job market. It will also help us address the critical issue of teacher retention by improving compensation and professional development opportunities.
However, implementing the Blueprint will require careful planning and collaboration across all levels of government. I am committed to working with county and state officials to secure the necessary funding and ensure that our district is positioned to take full advantage of these opportunities to improve outcomes for all students.
Some school districts nationwide are placing new limits on the use of cellphones in middle and high schools. What do you think should be the policy on student use of cellphones in your district, and why do you support that policy?
I fully support Superintendent Mark T. Bedell's new policy on student use of cellphones. There is no place for cellphones in our classrooms. The daily impact on our kids is overwhelmingly negative, and it is becoming an increasingly troublesome challenge for our teachers. Our first priority must be student outcomes: helping our students grow and preparing them for college, career and adulthood. The distraction and disruption of cellphones in the classroom have no positive, and only negative, effects on our student outcomes.
Are you satisfied with your school district's efforts to ensure the safety of its students? What, if anything, should be done to improve school safety in your district?
While I believe our district has made progress in ensuring student safety, there is always more work to be done. We must continue to prioritize both physical safety — through secure facilities and strong adult presence — and emotional safety by expanding mental health support and anti-bullying initiatives. We should also invest in regular training for staff on crisis response and inclusive practices. Engaging the community in safety planning and maintaining open communication with parents are critical to fostering a safe and supportive environment for all students.
Do you think there are circumstances when books should be removed from school libraries? If so, what kind of books should be removed, and who should make those decisions?
I oppose blanket bans or policies that allow individual parents to unilaterally remove books, as they can limit students' access to diverse perspectives and inhibit critical thinking. Our school libraries should remain places of exploration and learning. Access to books should only be restricted where they are not age-appropriate or contain content that violates established educational standards. Decisions on library materials selection and access should be made by trained educators and librarians, who consider the educational value, age appropriateness and relevance of materials.
Some school districts enact policies allowing transgender and gender nonconforming students to use their preferred pronouns while at the same time not informing those students' parents about that decision. What is your opinion of such policies?
I support policies that allow transgender and gender nonconforming students to use their preferred pronouns without mandatory parental notification. The safety, privacy and well-being of students must be the priority. Forced disclosure can put students at risk of harm or rejection. Schools should foster a supportive environment that respects students' identities while encouraging open, voluntary communication with parents when appropriate. It is essential to balance the rights and safety of students with the desire for parental involvement in a thoughtful and compassionate manner.
