2016 Endorsed Candidates
At a meeting of the Virginia Beach Education Association Political Action Committee of Educators, the following candidates for Virginia Beach City Council and School Board were endorsed.
Endorsed Candidates for Virginia Beach School Board
Beverly Anderson, At-Large
Beverly Anderson was elected to the School Board in November 2012. She retired from Virginia Beach City Public Schools in June 2012 after a 36-year career as an elementary school teacher. She was elected by the school board to serve as Vice Chair in 2015 and reelected in 2016. She is a lifetime member of the Virginia Beach Education Association. Bev's number one priority is to do what is best for students. Visit Beverly Anderson's website for more information and to support her campaign.
Frances Knight-Thompson, At-Large
Frances Knight Thompson is a graduate of Hampton University, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. She was Virginia Beach City Public Schools elementary music teacher for 15 years, beginning her career in education in 1972. She was a professional school counselor with VBCPS for 22 years. In January 2010, she retired after 37 years of service. Visit Frances Knight-Thompson's website for more information and to support her campaign.
Special Note for the At-Large Election: Please be sure to vote for BOTH Beverly Anderson and Frances Knight-Thompson in the at-large election.
Trenace Riggs, Centerville
Trenace Riggs retired from Virginia Beach City Public Schools after 37 years in the classroom. She served as the President of the Virginia Beach Education Association from 2012 to 2016. She is a lifelong resident of Virginia Beach, and has spent a lifetime advocating for and serving in our public schools. Trenace sees serving on the school board as the next step in her service to the community. Visit Trenace Riggs' website for more information and to support her campaign.
Joel McDonald, Rose Hall
Joel McDonald was elected to the school board in 2012. He is a Bayside High School graduate and earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Old Dominion University. He served as the data support specialist and school improvement coordinator at Luxford Elementary from 2006 to 2012 before starting his own web development firm. As a member and current chair of the board's legislative committee, Joel has advocated for legislation to help our public schools at the state and federal level.Visit Joel McDonald's website for more information and to support his campaign.
Dan Edwards, Kempsville
Dan Edwards was elected to the School Board in 1998 and re-elected in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012. He is serving his 16th annual term as School Board chairman. Edwards is the former owner of a small manufacturing company in Virginia Beach. He had a 25-year career in the U.S. Navy, serving both at sea and working ashore largely in public finance. Dan Edwards is running unopposed for reelection this year.
Endorsed Candidates for Virginia Beach City Council
Will Sessoms, Mayor
Will Sessoms is a lifelong Virginia Beach resident who began his political career in 1988 as an at large member of City Council. In 1992, his fellow council members selected him to be Vice Mayor, a position he held for 10 years. He was elected Mayor in 2008, and re-elected in 2012. Will knows that having great public schools in Virginia Beach is a major part of being "the greatest city in the world." Visit Will Sessoms' website for more information and to support his campaign.
Rosemary Wilson, At-Large
Rosemary Wilson has held elected office since 1996 - first with the School Board (1996 to 2000, including being vice chairman), then with the City Council (2000 to present). Rosemary has been a champion of our schools, teachers and students. She has consistently voted to fully fund school board budget requests. Rosemary is a former teacher and served as Vice-Chairman of our School Board, so she knows how to keep our school system quality high and our teachers rewarded for being the best. Visit Rosemary Wilson's website for more information and to support her campaign.
Amelia Ross-Hammond, Kempsville
Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond is a retired professor and former director of service-learning and civic engagement at Norfolk State University. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership, curriculum and instructions and ethnomusicology from the University of Denver, a master's of music of education from the College of New Jersey and a bachelor's degree from Ithaca College. Amelia knows the value and power of education and is a strong advocate for public schools in Virginia Beach.Visit Amelia Ross-Hammond's website for more information and to support her campaign.
Shannon Kane, Rose Hall
Shannon Kane is a strong advocate for the value of volunteerism and nonprofit groups in the community, having managed many charities. She is president and founder of EWR Management Group in Virginia Beach, and is on the board of the Alzheimer’s Association of Southeast Virginia and is a member of the Beach Leadership Council. Shannon supports fully funding schools in Virginia Beach. Visit Shannon Kane's website for more information and to support her campaign.