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LAPLACE — Samuel Mamou announces candidacy for the District 7 School Board seat in St. John the Baptist Parish School Board Member District 7, #72.

Mamou is an alum of East St. John High, and his education includes a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Xavier University. After graduation, he began his career working with individuals with intellectual disabilities as a support coordinator supervisor for three years. After this, he transitioned into the education system. He served as an educator of the St. John Baptist Parish School Board for seven years. His experiences and accomplishments as an educator include 2018 Garyville Magnet Middle School Teacher of the Year, LOSFA Coordinator for four years, BETA Sponsor for two years, Special Education Chairperson for five years, Assistant Middle School Coach for two years and Moral Committee Member.

Over the years, Mamou has been involved in numerous community outreaches and, in 2021, was awarded Good Morning America Hometown Hero for his hurricane relief efforts. His work with Hurricane Ida led him to his current position as Volunteer and Relief Director for NWDC. In this position, he coordinates volunteers that come into our community to assist citizens with the rebuilding of their homes in St. John Parish and organizes food giveaways and relief supplies. He’s a husband and father of five and a member of New Wine Christian Fellowship Church. There he has served as Youth Minister for over 10 years and co-director for Kids on the Move Summer Camp for the last eight years. In addition to these roles, he founded a mentorship Grow 180, where he mentors young men in high school.

Samuel Mamou would like to help create a school system where our community and all stakeholders are confident in placing their children. A system where people run to and not from. He believes we have the tools to be great if we come together and remember to keep children at the forefront of every decision.

If elected:

* I plan to create incentives for teachers, school staff and bus drivers to remain in our district by quarterly recognizing outstanding employees and boosting employee morale.

* To boost student retention within our school system, I will ensure that our students have diverse programs like music, sports, STEM and other extracurricular activities and gain exposure to different career paths.

* I want to explore installing various mentor programs to address student behaviors and improve life choices.

Fair and appropriate education for all students:

* I plan to ensure that I’m familiar with the curriculum used in our schools. To collaborate with school board staff to ensure that the students and teachers have the appropriate and needed materials and resources to support the curriculum.

* I want to ensure that SPED students receive the appropriate accommodations and services based on their IEPs. I want to ensure that teachers and support staff have the proper training and support to write and carry out effective IEPs, and support their students.

Presence within our K-12 schools:

* I am committed to visiting and meeting with principals, teachers and students to observe, support, and assist our schools.

* I am committed to attending school functions and sporting events to offer help in any way possible.

Decision making:

* I want to create a community within the school board where we support each other and all the schools in our school system. By building team mindsets together, we all achieve more together.

* I am committed to studying the data and identifying areas of strength that need improvement in our district.

* I am committed to reviewing and analyzing the budget to ensure funds are spent appropriately.

* I will ensure that students and student achievement are at the forefront of every decision.

Remember, “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.”

Psalms 127:3 NLT