Amber Polk

I am a proud Christ-follower, wife, mama and Mississippi girl who has lived in Shelby County, AL since 2001. My husband, Dustin, and I have three children. Our oldest daughter is a sophomore at Chelsea High School. She plays Varsity Volleyball, and JV Basketball and is active in the Health Sciences Program at CHHS. Our middle daughter is a sixth-grader at Chelsea Middle School and our youngest son is in fifth grade at Forest Oaks Elementary. All of our children are involved in various community sports and our church, Liberty Baptist in Chelsea. After having a successful career in pharmaceutical sales, I chose to stay home with our children. I have always been involved in our children's schools and have volunteered within my community. I have served as room mom, team mom, and even a homeschool mom for a couple of years. Currently, I'm serving in middle school ministry at Liberty Baptist Church, on the Code of Conduct Revision committee and VOICE Parent Advisory Team for Shelby County Schools, as Community Outreach Coordinator for LOCAL Alabama and athletic boosters for Chelsea High School.

My husband, Dustin, and I have raised our family in Shelby County for 16 years. We have three children active in Shelby County Schools. Being a mom to a high school, middle school and elementary school student gives me a comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing our students, parents and schools at all levels. I am in our schools on a consistent basis, not as an employee but as a parent volunteer, a spectator of many sports and a member of the community. I have a background in pharmaceutical sales but chose over a decade ago to pause my career to focus on my family. Since leaving the corporate world, I have served my family, church and community. When I was considering running for Shelby County Board of Education I hesitated because I do not have a background specifically in education. It was then someone pointed out that the only true qualification needed is a willingness to learn and serve. After many discussions with educators, administrators and other parents, I now consider my lack of experience as a traditional educator an advantage for serving on the board. I believe due to unprecedented changes in our country, it's time to re-evaluate how things have always been done. It's going to take someone unrestrained by years of training in a public school system to look at our challenges in 2022 with a new approach. I am not afraid to ask questions to understand the "why" behind our school system's processes and decisions. I thrive on persistence and thinking "outside of the box" to find resolutions that will consider everyone involved and provide the most benefit. I am passionate about education and ensuring the students of Shelby County are provided every opportunity to be successful.

We are experiencing unprecedented growth in Shelby County. We have three of the fastest-growing cities in the state of Alabama in one county school system. It is inevitable with this rapidly growing population our schools are facing unique challenges. It is the responsibility of the Shelby County School leaders and community leaders to work together to develop strategies to mitigate the growing pains. Because many of these issues are due to budgetary limitations and capital projects, I want to collaborate with business and development leaders in each community in Shelby County to pool our resources to lessen the burden on taxpayers as much as possible. We have the opportunity to utilize the experiences of other school systems that have faced similar situations. Several school systems in Alabama have developed successful strategies to continue providing excellent quality of education while adding top-notch facilities to elevate the educational experience and community pride. I am confident that with leaders, businesses and citizens all working together this can be accomplished in Shelby County also.

For me, serving on the Shelby County Board of Education is most importantly about the opportunity to connect families, communities and teachers with school leaders. I want to always be accessible to teachers and parents to learn their frustrations and victories. Our teachers and parents are on the "front lines." They daily see what is working and what needs to be addressed. They are our school system's greatest resource. I will promote transparency and open communication for constructive feedback for leadership. I will build on the encouragement of the Superintendent of Shelby County Schools to have parent involvement at every level. I will advocate for students, parents and educators. I will consistently stand for parental autonomy over children's health decisions. I will be vigilant in discerning curriculum content and programs being used in Shelby County Schools. I will be a voice for teachers, students and parents. Our public leaders are also public servants. Servant leadership requires an attitude of humility, compassion, courage and integrity. I will serve Shelby County Schools as a servant leader in an effort to rebuild the trust that seems to be lost in leaders across this nation, this state and this county.

In an era when common ground is uncommon, it's time we work together to utilize our resources on the local level within the home, classroom and community to impact change here in Shelby County. I have been given the unique opportunity to bridge the gap between families, educators and communities. I would be honored by your support to serve on the Shelby County Board of Education so we can be "better together." On May 24th, please vote for Amber Polk (Place 1) and Brian Boatman (Place 2) for Shelby County Board of Education.