Zipporah Miller
Running for school board in Prince George's County District 5
How old will you be on Election Day (Nov. 5)?
56
Are you currently employed? If so, where, and what is your job title?
Anne Arundel County Public Schools, director of organizational learning.
What is the highest level of education that you completed, and where did you get that degree?
Doctorate in education, University of Maryland, College Park.
Why are you running for the school board?
My decision to run for school board was an intentional decision that is guided by my core values and my commitment to educational excellence.
My holistic approach to education is rooted in my core values of family, faith and fostering lifelong learning and strong communities. I believe in the transformative power of education to shape individuals and communities for the better, instilling values of curiosity, resilience and collaboration. I am dedicated to ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to access quality education and thrive in a supportive environment. As a wife and mother, I understand the importance of nurturing future generations and empowering students to thrive academically, personally, and professionally.
Joining the school board for me, is a calling — an opportunity to contribute to building a better community.
What makes you a good candidate for the board?
I am an excellent candidate to continue serving on the Prince George’s County School Board because I am deeply committed to being responsive and results-driven, always ensuring that the needs of our community are at the forefront of my work. I actively listen and engage with community members, making informed decisions that truly reflect the desires and concerns of those I represent.
My consistent presence in the community — whether through meetings, events or direct outreach — demonstrates my dedication to staying connected with the people I serve. I don't just hear concerns; I take action, driving meaningful changes that lead to tangible results.
Moreover, my unwavering focus on student academic success, combined with efforts to build strong, supportive communities, has created an environment where students can thrive. By prioritizing the whole child, advocating for mental health supports, and ensuring safe, nurturing spaces, I’ve laid the foundation for lasting academic and community achievements.
This combination of responsiveness, results, and a focus on both academic success and community strength makes me a standout candidate for continued service on the school board.
What is the most important issue facing your school board and what would you do about it if elected?
As a community and a school system, we face multiple critical issues impacting our schools, including teacher shortages, school safety, the social-emotional well-being of students and staff, expanding educational opportunities and addressing aging infrastructure. Among these, the shortage of teachers and ensuring the physical and psychological safety of our school community stand out as top priorities.
As your District 5 school board member, I have already begun addressing these challenges. To combat the teacher shortage, I successfully advocated for the expansion of the resident teacher program, which supports aspiring educators in obtaining their Maryland state certification. I remain committed to pushing for increased teacher compensation, enhanced recruitment efforts and partnerships with higher education and industry.
In terms of school safety, I recently secured the installation of alarms at Bowie High School and continue to champion comprehensive safety measures, including training and resources for all schools. Responding to the rise in bullying, I advocated for additional funding to expand anti-bullying initiatives and spearheaded revisions to our bullying policy to improve its effectiveness. Recognizing the importance of mental health, I passionately advocated for the establishment of calming rooms in elementary and middle schools, providing students with a sanctuary to alleviate stress and refocus.
Furthermore, I am proud to have advocated for the establishment of a science technology engineering math (STEM) charter school in District 5 this academic year. I will continue to push for the modernization of our school facilities and the expansion of educational opportunities through innovative programs and partnerships with community organizations.
Please name a public leader you admire and explain why.
The public leader I admire most is my father, Ambassador Alfred Machayo. He was a man of profound integrity and unwavering commitment, whose values earned him deep respect not just within our family but throughout our community. My father's life was a testament to the principles he held dear, and his example has been a guiding light in my own journey.
One of the most important lessons my father taught me was that when you take on any task or responsibility, you must give it your all. He always said, "Don’t just do it — ensure it is your best work." He modeled this value every day, never settling for anything less than excellence. His dedication to doing his best has been a standard I've strived to uphold in all aspects of my life.
Another lesson he imparted was that our talents are not meant for personal gain but for the betterment of our community. My father believed deeply that we have a responsibility to use our gifts to leave the world a better place than we found it. He measured success not by accolades or wealth but by the number of people we helped succeed. This selflessness and commitment to service have profoundly shaped my understanding of leadership and continue to inspire me in my own public service.
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.
The Blueprint also emphasizes enhancing the teaching profession through improved career ladders and compensation. By valuing and supporting our educators, we not only strengthen the respect and dignity of teaching but also attract the next generation to this noble career path. This investment in teachers is crucial to building a future where education is synonymous with excellence.
Moreover, the Blueprint ensures that college and career readiness is at the forefront of our educational goals. Every child deserves to leave their K-12 experience equipped with the skills and options to pursue the career paths they desire. Whether they choose to attend college or enter the workforce, the Blueprint for Maryland's Future provides the tools and opportunities needed to succeed in an increasingly competitive global economy.
In essence, the Blueprint is more than just a plan — it's a commitment to the future of our students and our state, ensuring that every child is prepared to achieve their full potential.
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?
Our policy on cellphones is that they should not be used during the school day. This ensures that students can fully focus on their instruction without unnecessary distractions. Cellphones often lead to interruptions and can tempt students to engage with social media or other non-academic activities. By keeping phones off and stowed away, we remove these distractions, allowing students to concentrate on their learning. While I believe that technology has a valuable role in education, it should be carefully monitored and used to enhance teaching and learning, not detract from it.
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?
Our school district is committed to continually examining and implementing practices that prioritize the safety of our students and staff. As a school board member, I actively support these efforts and advocate for the necessary funding to ensure we have the resources needed to keep our schools safe for everyone.
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?
Each jurisdiction has a policy on how books are reviewed for instructional purposes. We must strive to ensure books are age-appropriate and also a balance of intellectual freedom. Our First Amendment supports students’ rights to access diverse viewpoints. We should not infringe on these rights.
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?
We should allow students the space to choose and respect their decisions.
