"I work for what I want."
That's how Marsha Paul explains her rise from the lowest clerical level at Texas Instruments to the operations manager of the Federal Software Systems Division 20 years later.
As a candidate for the Mount Vernon District School Board, she plans to work just as hard.
When she started having children, Paul left the corporate world behind. With three children, Lindsay, 6; Steven, 12; and Stefanie, 20, she has been an active volunteer in the schools, not only in the classroom but on the PTA, as well.
Last year, she served as vice president of Fort Hunt Elementary School. She decided not to serve this year because of her campaign. She is planning to continue to serve as chairperson of the Curriculum Committee, as well as volunteer to work with the math enrichment program at Fort Hunt.
Paul is excited about the latter program and said, "It's almost like tutoring — during school hours and after. One of my goals is to enrich all the children in the math area."
Her concern that too many fifth- and sixth-grade students don't know how to divide or multiply comes from her observation as a substitute teacher for the past few years.
Paul filed for her candidacy so late because it took awhile for to decide to run. She kept thinking that it wasn't a good time for her to do this, but then after working at the Republican primary with David Kennedy and Lou Kobus, she decided to enter.
"I want to do the best I can. I didn't think that I had the time to campaign and do a good job," she said. "I'm just a mom that has a concern, not a politician. I'm doing it to contribute something to the community."
In addition to her school activities, Paul served as a Girl Scout troop leader for two years, and as Girl Scout pack treasurer another two years. She also served as the Education Committee representative for Stratford on the Potomac.
THREE GOALS Paul wants to work toward are reaching all students and keeping standards high, using a systematic phonics-based reading program, and enforcing discipline in schools with strong leadership.
"Before we can have that [discipline], the teachers can't teach in the classroom," said Paul, who has seen the discipline problems firsthand.
Paul also wants to see the money go back into the schools. She's concerned that the current School Board agreed to give Fairfax County Public Schools superintendent Dr. Dan Domenech a $25,000 raise.
"I think it's a little too top-heavy. We need to look at where the funds are going, rather than continue to ask for more," said Paul. "We need to analyze what programs are funded and how many children are benefiting."
Paul said she was surprised when the current candidates did not have that information on some existing programs.
"When I asked them who benefited and how many children a program could accommodate, they told me that the task-force auditors told them not to get into the details of the programs," she said. "I come from the budget world and know that you have to be able to get a number based on a formula."
Paul plans to go door-to-door to introduce herself, hold fund-raisers and attend Back-to-School Nights in September.
"I want something for all the children, something that will benefit everyone," said Paul.