Kacee Weaver
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Kacee Weaver - Candidate for Utah State School Board - District 2
19 March 2026 I wasn’t a standout student at Valley Elementary, but I always loved learning. My strongest memories are about doing ceramics during recess and performing in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Even then, I sensed that education was about more than academics. It was about developing who you are and how you contribute to the community. At Ben Lomond High School, where I served as a Student Body Officer, I began to understand leadership and responsibility. When I entered Weber State University, I initially declared psychology and interior design as my majors. It wasn’t until I became a young mother that my direction became clear. After the birth of my first son, I recognized a deep passion for human development and education. I applied to the Teacher Education Program and began what has now become more than two decades of working alongside children, families, and educators in Weber County. During my student teaching in Ogden School District, a cooperating teacher told me something I have never forgotten: “Forget everything about how you learned children learn best. This is the real world, and we have a test to take.” That moment revealed a tension I have seen throughout my career — the gap between what we know about how children thrive and the systems we build around them. I knew then I didn’t just want to work inside classrooms. I wanted to help strengthen the systems that shape them. From 2004 to 2007, with a toddler and infant in tow, I served as Vice President of MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) Club, building networks of encouragement for young families. I began my formal education career in 2010 teaching in a mixed-grade classroom before moving into curriculum and instructional leadership. I later spent six years in Ogden School District as a primary grades teacher and instructional coach, mentoring educators, leading professional learning communities, and working closely with colleagues to improve literacy outcomes and instructional clarity. Along the way, I earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Weber State University, a Master’s degree in Advanced Montessori Studies from St. Catherine University, an English as a Second Language endorsement, and Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling certification to deepen my literacy expertise. I was also selected as a HOPE Street Group Teacher Fellow, where I collaborated with educators and legislators across Utah to elevate classroom voices in policy conversations. That experience reinforced my belief that strong governance must be informed by those closest to students. For the past two years, I have served as Director of a K–9 public charter school. In this role, I have strengthened academic systems, increased enrollment, balanced budgets responsibly, and supported educators and families with transparency and accountability. I see daily how state-level decisions ripple into classrooms — affecting funding, assessments, teacher retention, and student opportunity. Governance matters. My commitment to education extends beyond school walls. I have served on the board of the Ogden Nature Center, supporting environmental education and stewardship programs that connect children to Utah’s landscapes. I have also served on the board of Ogden Nordic, helping expand youth access to outdoor recreation and healthy community engagement. These roles reflect what I believe deeply: education includes our environment, our recreation spaces, and the civic institutions that bind communities together. Through local, national, and international education organizations, I have collaborated with leaders committed to whole-child learning, literacy advancement, and thoughtful reform. Just as importantly, I have built strong, authentic relationships with local educators — teachers, principals, and staff across Weber County in both district and charter settings. I understand their challenges because I have worked beside them. I understand their dedication because I see it daily. I am a lifelong Weber County resident. My childhood was shaped by building tree forts, exploring rivers, and spending time in the mountains that frame our community. My husband and I have been married for 26 years, raising three young adults who share our love of Utah’s outdoors. Those experiences reinforce my belief that education should cultivate curiosity, responsibility, resilience, and connection. I am running for State School Board because Weber County deserves experienced, steady leadership grounded in classroom reality and community service. We need leaders who value educators, support families, strengthen accountability systems thoughtfully, and expand opportunity for every student. Education is a public trust. When we get it right, we don’t just improve outcomes — we strengthen communities and prepare the next generation to contribute with knowledge, character, and purpose. This work has shaped who I am — as a mother and grandmother, as an educator, and as a member of this community. It is work I care deeply about, and I feel called to continue serving in whatever way I can. Follow along and feel free to reach out with questions or ideas. Kaceeforutahschools.com |
