Come out and join us at the Rock for Rachna Kick Off Party. It’ll be a rockin’ good time. Get your Tickets today HERE. We’d love to see you!!!
Rachna has lived and raised her family in the Braddock District for over two decades. She is a professor with a record of educational innovation, a lawyer, a long time advocate, and a current at-large member of the Fairfax County School Board. Rachna brings a solutions oriented collaborative approach to her work. She was elected by her colleagues to serve as Chair (‘22-’23) and Vice Chair (‘21-’22) of the school board, hiring the national superintendent of the year while addressing learning needs, standing up against book bans, raising salaries for educators, and passing a new strategic plan to innovate for the future.
Rachna’s children started in Fairfax County schools in 2004 so she knows firsthand how wonderful our schools are, but also of the work still needed to bring out the best in every child. On the board, she championed an innovative educational approach - strengths focused education - that focuses on developing student strengths while also meeting their needs so all can find their path to success. Her goal is to use her skills and experience to make a difference for every child, especially those who need it the most. She’s a strong leader with a proven track record, a history of collaborating with families and supporting teachers, and a passion for public education.
Rachna will work to protect public education and promote an excellent education for every student in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Rachna is one of only four current school board members seeking reelection to the school board. She led efforts to
expand access to advanced academics, to counseling, to tutoring, deploy targeted interventions to address learning gaps and learning loss, and pass a budget focused on academic excellence, supporting educators, and mental health support,
innovate with revamped literacy instruction, a new strategic plan, a special education enhancement plan,
pass three years of teacher and staff raises and collective bargaining to help recruit and retain educators,
hiring the 2021 National Superintendent of the Year, the nation’s first K-12 neurodiversity specialist and Virginia’s first K-12 twice exceptional coordinator,
fight book bans and support the accurate teaching of history,
accelerate safety enhancements, including vestibules, substance abuse prevention, stop arm cameras on busses, and weapons detection,
implement fresh salad bars in schools, start middle schools sports for the first time since the late 1990s, and approve a three year inclusive calendar,
increase supports for special education students and teachers and English learners
expand pre-K and multilingual family engagement, and continue robust protections for LGBTQIA+ students and staff,
add honors bumps for advanced arts programs, improve stipends for performing arts teachers, and extend contracts for special education teachers.
Rachna is running for the Braddock District seat on the school board with the support of her friend, current Braddock District member Megan McLaughlin, who is retiring.
To my Braddock community, greetings!
I’ve lived, raised my family, and worked in the Braddock District since 2001. I’m a professor, a lawyer, former PTA board member, and currently serve on the Fairfax County School Board as an at-large member. My children did their pre-K-12 schooling in Fairfax County public schools, graduating from Lake Braddock (Class of 2017 and Class of 2022.) Along the way, I learned to fight for my children to receive an excellent education and also advocated for systemwide improvements. I’ve always felt I shouldn’t just use my skills and experience to help my children but also make a difference for all children. That is why I ran for the school board in the first place and why I am seeking re-election now.
I believe effective leadership is first listening and learning to understand what is important and then building consensus to do it. That pragmatic approach was rewarded by my colleagues when they honored me by electing me as Vice Chair and then Chair of the school board. I am proud of the progress we have made but there is still work to be done to ensure every student receives an excellent education in a safe and inclusive environment.
Like many in Fairfax County, English was not my first language. Education is how my immigrant parents were able to come to the United States, seeking for a better life for my brother and me. They taught me to believe the American Dream belongs to ALL of us, regardless of who we are, or where we came from, or who we love. I firmly believe in the power of public education as the bedrock of our economy, democracy, and society, and the conduit through which anyone can find their path to success and happiness. I am the proud product of public education from kindergarten through law school.
Fairfax County public schools are some of the best in part because students represent a mix of cultures, strengths, and passions. Each child deserves to be welcomed and have access to strong academics and a well rounded education. We start by looking at ALL of our kids for what they can do and not what they can’t. We need to foster each student’s strengths and meet their needs along the way so they can gain the skills to thrive on their chosen path. We must teach students how to think critically, work collaboratively, and find their path to success and happiness. Together, working hand-in-hand with our teachers, staff, and families, we can make that happen.
Every Child, By Name and By Strength
