Thank You
Dear Ward 4,
When my son Ryan called me in August of 2018 and said, “Dad, there’s a guy collecting signatures for the vacant seat on the State Board of Education. Why don’t you run?” I dismissed it completely. As some of you know, my wife, Myra, had passed almost a year before, and I was not interested in it at the time. However, I truly felt her presence beckoning me to continue what I had been doing for 47 years, and that was to help our schools be better.
For the next six years, I tried to do this.
I enjoyed this journey immensely and cannot thank you all enough for putting your trust in me.
I will continue to be a fierce advocate for our students, parents, and those who work in the school buildings every day.
Mrs. O’Leary’s Books4Friends will continue to provide books for our children with your help.
Thank you so much for letting me represent you.
Frazier
Dr. Frazier O'Leary, your Ward 4 State Board of Education Representative
Dr. Frazier O'Leary is a father of five. He served as, a coach, an officer in the US Army, and an English teacher for forty-seven years in DCPS. He retired in 2017 and became the State Board of Education Representative of Ward 4 in 2018.
He has been an adjunct professor of English at The University of the District of Columbia since 1982.
He has a commitment to service and speaks often about how he was not a great student and how that amplified his commitment to be the best teacher possible.
This commitment is shown to this day as former students from 7 years, 10 years, 25 years ago will share a story about how great an educator, coach or man he was or is. He has dedicated his life to motivating students to always understand that they should always strive so that “Their reach should exceed their grasp “
When he was elected to the SBOE in 2018, his goal was to advocate for students, parents, and those who worked in the school buildings because he spent his life in all those roles at one time or another. The experience that he has gained in his 6 years on the Board has been enlightening. Looking at the many positive things that are happening daily in our schools, despite the obstacles that are present, inspires him to continue the work that the citizens of Ward 4 have chosen him to do.
"When I first ran for State Board of Education Representative, I didn't know everything the Board did. It was similar to teaching, I learned by doing and because I was the veteran teacher on the Board, I was able to use those skills.
I spoke and continue to speak with everyone on the Board, because I know that we are on this board not to serve ourselves but to provide advocacy for parents, teachers, students and our schools.
I have not shied away from this responsibility and I try my best to mediate in situations where progress is at a stop."
Frazier O'Leary
