My-Linh Thai is running to retain her seat on the Bellevue School Board, District 5. Having been a parent, community member and teacher in the Bellevue School District for many years, I feel compelled to raise my voice in support of her candidacy and to encourage voters to cast their votes for My-Linh.

I first met My-Linh when her children attended Somerset Elementary School during the years in which I was a teacher there. As a parent volunteer, she was involved in PTA leadership and always available to help with classroom projects, field trips, fundraising, always with cheerful energy. But what really set My-Linh apart was her genuine caring and curiosity about the needs of students, teachers and staff, her interest in hearing about challenges and ideas for potential solutions, from the school building to the district to the state to the national policy level.

As a Bellevue School Board member for the past four years, My-Linh has taken the same caring and curious approach to her position there. She listens to all sides of every issue that is considered. She reaches out to her constituents. As an immigrant herself who came to the United States with her family from Vietnam, My-Linh has a special affinity for the many families who live and continue to move to Bellevue from many parts of the world, especially Asian countries.

My-Linh has gained valuable experience and is well-positioned to continue her excellent work. She has distinguished herself at the state level as the Bellevue representative to Washington State School Directors Association, and her voice and skills are now recognized and valued at the state and national level. The community of Bellevue will benefit from My-Linh’s continued presence on the board.

Linda Myrick

Bellevue