Brittany Shadduck for Maplewood-Richmond Heights Board of Education 

My name is Brittany Shadduck, and I am running for a seat on the Maplewood Richmond Heights School District Board of Education in the April 7, 2026 election.

I am running because I deeply love and believe in public education. That commitment was shaped by my years as a classroom teacher. As public schools face increasing challenges at the federal level, I believe local leadership matters more than ever in ensuring our schools remain strong, supported, and accessible for all students and families.

As an MRH parent, I’ve seen firsthand the intentional culture this district fosters. When my oldest daughter joined our family mid-year during the height of COVID, this community embraced her with compassion and care in a moment when she needed stability most. Now, with a daughter at the High School and another at the Early Childhood Center, I see the full spectrum of the MRH experience. I see the joy and intentionality in the "Studio" at the ECC, and I see the incredible opportunities for research and extracurricular growth at the High School. MRH has so much to be proud of. It is essential that we preserve and expand these strengths.

My experiences as a teacher shape how I approach decision-making and leadership. Teaching English in Japan taught me what it feels like to navigate systems without language or cultural familiarity, while teaching kindergarten in St. Louis exposed me to the consequences of under-resourced schools and fragmented systems. These experiences cemented my belief that strong, well-supported public schools are vital for all students.

After leaving the classroom, I knew I needed to find ways to stay involved in public education. For a while, that meant clearing teacher wishlists and mentoring other teachers who were facing burnout. Eventually, I joined the For Our People Board Committee, where I've spent the last three years listening to district leaders to better understand the systems that support our staff. I’ve also participated in administrative interviews at the ECC to give a parent’s perspective on the leadership in our buildings.

But because my heart is still in teaching, I’ve also looked for ways to work directly with kids and parents. For the past two years, I have been a Daisy Girl Scout troop leader and in fall 2025, I led a WeStories cohort at the ECC. These roles give me a chance to keep "teaching" in a different way, and they keep me closely connected to our families and what they are experiencing every day.

Professionally, I manage a team in corporate learning and development. In this role, I set strategy, manage priorities and budgets, analyze data, and collaborate across departments to make informed decisions and tradeoffs. I regularly work with senior leaders to ensure clarity, accountability, and long-term sustainability. This combination of classroom and professional experience equips me to serve effectively on the board.

I believe effective school board governance requires an understanding of classroom realities along with the ability to provide strong oversight. Following the passage of Propositions B and E, our community has entrusted the board with important resources for our teachers and our buildings. I am committed to transparency and fiscal responsibility to ensure we steward those tax dollars wisely while preserving what makes MRH unique.

I love this district and believe it deserves thoughtful, capable leadership during a challenging time for public education. I would be honored to earn your support and to serve the Maplewood Richmond Heights community.