Heather Felton

Political platform statement

Why I am running for this office: The parents, teachers, and school staff have very little voice when it comes to the school board. Most of the current board members have not worked in our schools or had children in our district. It is important to me that there is representation on the board for these groups. With nine years as a teacher and 16 years as a parent in our Manatee County schools, I’ve experienced the best and worst of the school system from a personal and professional standpoint. From the first day of kindergarten for my eldest to the high school graduation for my youngest, along with all the field trips, performances, volunteering, nurses’ calls, and report cards throughout, I’ve done everything a parent can do. As an English teacher in middle and high school, I’ve been through the lockdowns, student fights, grading essays and exams, teaching through Covid, Title 1 funding issues, parent conferences, open houses, student performances and awards, pep rallies, sporting events, graduations, and every possible high and low that can happen. I’ve seen pretty much everything and can speak to it all from experience. I have a responsibility to speak up and advocate for those who may not be heard otherwise.

As a determined moderate, Heather’s top priority are the kids, schoolteachers and staff. With 16 years as a parent in the system, and nine years as a teacher, Heather will bring a wealth of knowledge and understanding to the role of board member.

A Twofold Teaching Philosophy

Heather will bring her twofold teaching philosophy with her. "First, meet the kids where they are, celebrate every success, then support them as they work to achieve their goals. Second, be kind." The massive flag on her classroom wall declared: “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” This was also the theme of her speech when the class of 2021 selected her as faculty speaker at graduation.

Do No Harm

These themes continue to permeate everything Heather does in her work and activism. Speaking recently to the school board (October 10, 2023), Heather urged the board to not only do what was good for the kids, but to remember also to do no harm.

When setting policy and making decisions for our district, Heather believes, “You should ask yourself, ‘Will this benefit our students and staff?’ If the answer is, ‘Yes,’ then please, please ask yourself one more question. ‘Will this hurt any of our students or staff, even just one?’ If the answer to the second question is, ‘Yes,’ please reconsider. Please remember to do no harm.”

Fresh out of college in 1997, Heather moved to Manatee County, Florida, to take a job as the evening cops reporter for the Bradenton Herald. On the job, she met her future husband, Sean, then a new deputy at the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

They married in 1999 and a year later moved to the Parrish area. First they lived in Woodlawn Lakes, before building in Harrison Ranch, several years after the births of their two children. First came Indigo and then Emma – who both attended Virgil Mills Elementary School.

In her working life, Heather has been a journalist and editor. She has also served as a faith formation director in church ministry and as a greeter and reader at her church. As a Manatee County English teacher, Heather worked for nine years in first middle and then high school. Most recently she taught both remedial language arts and International Baccalaureate literature classes at Southeast High School, from which her children graduated. Since leaving education in May 2023, Heather has volunteered with local education and nonprofit organizations and works in prior authorizations department at a local private practice.

Heather is also a member of the Manatee County League of Women Voters and attends Church of the Apostles in Parrish where she serves as a volunteer.

Heather’s passion is for ensuring a safe, supportive, and enriching public education for all Manatee County students. As a determined moderate, her focus is the kids, not the politics.

Candidate's Website

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Heather Felton

Political platform statement

On Education

A Twofold Teaching Philosophy

Do No Harm

About Heather

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