Endorsements

“How novel. An experienced teacher on the school board! I am thrilled that Paul Weiss has decided to run for Arlington School Board. The value, insight, and experience that Paul brings to the position as a well respected career classroom teacher in the county is immeasurable and so needed. Finally, a voice from the classroom.”

“Paul made me love Shakespeare. That sounds simple, but as a 16 year old, that was the least of my interests. I always loved English, but the class I had with Paul completely transformed the way I thought about the world and will continue to impact the way I read and write for the rest of my life. Paul pushed me to be the best student I could be, always meeting me on my level and respecting my work by understanding my unique weaknesses. I have no doubt he met each and every one of his students with the same thoughtful consideration, and I have no doubt that he will do the same to our school system. Not only is he an incredible educator, he lead the class of 2023 with kindness and always pushed us to be better people, encouraging us to partake in activities and class trips, sharing insight on why it’s important to share in community with one another. This speaks to his ability as a leader and his consistently supportive, honest, and kind nature. This does not undermine his ability to lead with intelligence, decisiveness, and a clear sight of potential and what needs to be done to reach it. Paul has a rare blend of qualities that only the best leaders wield, and I trust him completely to bring the needed changes to our school system. He certainly has my vote in the upcoming election.”

“As a retired APS Special Education teacher, I reflect on the countless  professionals who worked alongside me under the guidance of The Arlington Way – a commitment to ensuring that every child and every family are treated with dignity and respect. Within this esteemed body of co-workers, Paul Weiss rises above others. He epitomizes the standard that every student matters, and that under the guidance of a caring adult, everyone is better. Paul cares about everyone in his orbit – his students, their families, his fellow teachers, the administrators. Students with special needs are drawn to his space because of his unique ability to personalize learning experiences so everyone achieves success. Even more importantly, Paul puts a lot of energy into forming lifelong relationships with these students, who return to him long after they have graduated from APS. This dedication to understanding and serving the unique needs of the individual will enhance Paul’s decision-making on this governing body. He will without a doubt continue to put the needs of his community above all else. I heartily endorse Paul Weiss for School Board!”

“Paul is a man of courage, vision, and integrity. He moves through the world building relationships with students, colleagues, and parents that authentically reflect his values as an educator and person. Paul will make a great school member because he stands up for what is right while also bringing people together.”

“I am a teacher colleague and former student of Paul Weiss, and I wholeheartedly support his candidacy for the School Board. I have known Paul for 15 years, and in that time I have seen him consistently demonstrate his commitment to students, parents, and teachers in Arlington County. He has an impressive track record of service to the APS community, from his hands-on support for students to his impactful speeches before the school board. Paul is the right person to mend the strained relationship between classrooms and the central office in Arlington. It’s time we had a teacher on the school board, and that’s why I’m supporting Paul this fall!”

“I consider Paul Weiss to be the first to welcome me into my teaching career at Arlington Public School. Paul became an informal mentor to me, fully understanding my position as a first year teacher. Paul patiently fielded endless requests for advice on how to best serve my students in the classroom, as well as in extracurriculars, how to fluently navigate the myriad policies and procedures of the District, and sensitively, yet confidently, discussed difficult social issues prevalent in our school community.

As I look back with more years of teaching under my belt, this still rings true. However, I now better recognize that not only did he, first and foremost, help me serve my students, but also, through example, taught me how to advocate for myself as an educator, support the diversity and experience of my fellow teachers and staff, and, above all, recognize the importance of focusing our attention on teachers’ ability to efficiently and effectively teacher our largest stakeholders: our students.

As I see my colleagues across Virginia and in other states, I repeatedly hear about those leaving the teaching profession due to overloaded classrooms, lack of support, and difficulties doing what they trained for years to do–teach.  I consider Paul one of the most formative figures in my career as a teacher, educator, and professional, and as a member of the Arlington School Board, he will advocate for all teachers, helping attract and retain teachers new to the profession, as well as involve those with the wisdom of decades in the classroom, in order to improve the experience for all students and families in Arlington Public Schools.”

“I am endorsing Paul Weiss for Arlington School Board because I am confident that he keeps the best interest of students and teachers in all he professionally does. I am a resource teacher who has pushed into Paul’s English classes for the past 2 years, and I have seen firsthand how he always puts the needs of his students and colleagues first. It is past time that a knowledgeable and capable Arlington teacher and parent is involved in the decision making process for Arlington classrooms.”

“Paul Weiss, a dedicated advocate for the LGBTQ community in Arlington Public Schools, offers the school board a wealth of experiences and inclusive leadership. His unique perspective and practical approaches are invaluable in supporting our most vulnerable students. Paul has created a safe space in his classroom and will translate these ideas into practice for a more comprehensive school system. His understanding of LGBTQ-inclusive practices and his efforts to promote tolerance and respect for all families within the Arlington community is commendable. Moreover, Paul is a staunch supporter of LGBTQ faculty within Arlington’s school, advocating for their right to work and live openly, regardless of their sexual orientation.

Part of creating a safe space is more than a sticker; creating a safe space involves being a good listener and making an LGBTQ student feel seen. Numerous students have trusted Paul to share their coming out stories and cherish the time in the classroom. Paul believes in helping students build resiliency and having hard talks with the entire class about what it means to be an ally when not everyone comes from the same background and starting point in life. Students who are not LGBTQ begin to understand the importance of building trust, respect, and admiration for those who have had to hide for most of their lives. Building community and respect through careful dialogue can help the broader Arlington community, an increasingly more diverse and complex community.

Paul’s belief in LGBTQ-inclusive practices extends beyond his classroom. He is committed to ensuring that all classrooms in Arlington embrace these practices. Paul’s vision includes providing all students access to diverse literature featuring LGBTQ characters and conversations about all types of families and gender identities, not just the more dominant and traditional ones. These books allow LGBTQ students to have a mirror while allowing our straight students a window into being the best ally they can be. This commitment to inclusive instructional practices is a testament to Paul’s dedication. He has worked tirelessly to equip teachers and students with the tools to make Arlington schools a safe and inclusive environment for all.

Paul has been a trusted mentor to several gay and lesbian faculty and has been around long enough to remember when many of them had to hide. Paul remembers these struggles and will work at the school board to ensure all teachers can be their authentic selves. He will be there on day one. Gay and lesbian teachers still hear implicit bias and suffer in silence. Often, teachers still hold back in stopping bullying against trans youth for fear of being targeted themselves. Paul’s commitment to the community and teaching profession will help bring about significant change for all schools within Arlington.

With Paul’s experience with inclusion, supportive practices, and visionary leadership for the community, the time has come to have one of our best LGBTQ allies on the school board!”

“I’m endorsing Paul because he has the teaching experience needed to help the board and Syphax realign their priorities to match the professionals who work with and for students every day. He has dedicated his career to listening to and advocating for teachers and students and I’m proud to have called him a colleague for ten years.”

“Paul Weiss is the voice we need on the APS School Board. As an accomplished educator, passionate advocate and practical change-maker, Paul’s leadership has and will continue to yield sound policy in support of student learning, staff morale and APS success.  From my 18-year career as a teacher in APS, I can attest to the desperate need for Paul’s wisdom and leadership right now. As a colleague of Paul’s, I know how dedicated and pragmatic he is in fostering positive learning and work environments. Please join me in supporting Paul Weiss for School Board: a positive force of change in support of APS.”

“I am a former student and I fully believe in Paul’s vision for Arlington schools. He is compassionate, dedicated, and prepared. Vote for Paul!”

“Paul is incredibly passionate about Arlington Public Schools. Over 20 years ago, he recruited me to come teach in Arlington because it was a place that struck a unique balance: supporting teachers & students while celebrating their individuality. A few years later, Paul moved house from DC to Arlington so his sons could benefit from an APS education. Because of his lived experience as educator, teacher-mentor and parent-advocate, Paul brings multiple perspectives to the school board. His platform proposes common-sense solutions: reducing class sizes, looking critically at over-testing students and keeping APS central office nimble— connected to the students they serve. I am excited to endorse Paul Weiss for Arlington School Board because his work and ideas support the most important component of our school system: the students.”

“Paul Weiss is the democrat and educator we need for the Arlington County School Board. He is the only candidate for the school board with the institutional knowledge (over 22 years in APS) of not only how, but who is responsible for ensuring APS is a top performing school system. In a time of record turnover Mr. Weiss has the plan to reverse this trend. In addition, he has the knowledge and ideas to close the achievement gap. For these reasons Paul Weiss has my endorsement for Arlington County School Board.”

“Paul Weiss is the voice we need on the APS School Board. As an accomplished educator, passionate advocate and practical change-maker, Paul’s leadership has and will continue to yield sound policy in support of student learning, staff morale and APS success. From my 18-year career as a teacher in APS, I can attest to the desperate need for Paul’s wisdom and leadership right now. As a colleague of Paul’s, I know how dedicated and pragmatic he is in fostering positive learning and work environments. Please join me in supporting Paul Weiss for School Board: a positive force of change in support of APS.”