Join Zuraya for school board

Meet Zuraya

I’m a mother to two children in the Arlington school system and an Arlington resident of 20 years. I first moved here as a young professional, renting a home in Aurora Highlands, and stayed in Arlington to raise a family because of the high quality of Arlington Public Schools.

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Priorities

I have heard the concerns of my friends, neighbors, fellow parents, and believe that we can work together to address them via what I call a holistic or Comprehensive Education Model focused on: SAFETY, QUALITY EDUCATION, and TRANSPARENCY.

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Why I’m Running!

I am a mom making a difference and am committed to making a positive impact in our community. Beyond my identity, I aspire to foster stronger connections between our schools and communities. Currently, I am running for the School Board with the goal of ensuring that every parent, whose child attends any Arlington School, feels a sense of safety, security, and support within the community. My mission is to create an environment where transparency and support form a broad pathway, inviting all families to actively participate and thrive.

¡Por qué lancé mi candidatura!

Soy una madre que ha logrado un impacto positivo en mi comunidad y estoy comprometida a seguir contribuyendo, ahora en el Consejo Escolar. Mi historia personal me permite entender de manera más entrañable a muchas familias en Arlington y también busco forjar conexiones más fuertes entre nuestras escuelas y comunidades. Me postulo para el Consejo Escolar con el objetivo de garantizar que todos los padres sientan una sensación de seguridad y apoyo dentro de la comunidad escolar, sin importar la escuela a la que asisten sus hijos. Mi misión es crear un entorno donde la transparencia y el apoyo permitan que todas las familias puedan participar activamente y prosperar.

My Endorsements

Juntos Por Virginia

“We are thrilled to endorse Zuraya in her race for Arlington County School Board! Zuraya will work on fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment for every student and educator. We are proud to be #JuntosPorZuraya!”
AEA PAC

“Ms. Tapia-Hadley has demonstrated her willingness to get involved and advocate for educators and students. She is a professional communicator with clear ideas on how to be transparent and communicative with both APS staff and the Arlington community. Ms. Tapia-Hadley has actionable plans on how to engage with APS families across language and economic divides. She will be a strong voice on the APS school board for educators, staff, and families.”
Alfonso H. Lopez

Delegate Virginia House 3rd District
“Zuraya Tapia-Hadley has just the experience and perspective that we need on the Arlington County School Board. Whether it is in her career or her work in the community, she has proven to be someone who can get things done and I am proud to support her campaign!”
SENATOR BARBARA A. FAVOLA

Virginia Senate 40th District
“I enthusiastically endorse Zuraya for a seat on the Arlington School Board because I know she will work to address the achievement gap and actively involve parents in the educational process. I encourage you to join me in supporting Zuraya.”
Latino Victory Fund

“School boards are critical because they implement policies that impact our children in their most formative years. Zuraya Tapia-Hadley brings a wealth of experience and a forward-thinking vision to the Arlington County School Board. Not only is Zuraya a 20-year resident of Arlington County, but she’s also a mom to two children who attend the Arlington school system, and has been civically and politically active at all government levels. Zuraya will focus on safety, ensuring students receive a good quality education, and harnessing effective communication between the school board, parents and the community, fostering transparency. She’s ready to work with the board to create positive change for students, families and educators. Latino Victory Fund is proud to support Zuraya Tapia-Hadley for Arlington County School Board.” - Sindy Benavides, CEO, Latino Victory Fund
Emma Violand-Sanchez

Former Arlington School Board Chair
“As an educator with forty years of experience at all levels and a former School Board Member, I am delighted to endorse Zuraya Tapia-Hadley for Arlington School Board. She is a parent, community leader, and an outstanding professional who will be an exceptional School Board Member.”
J. Walter Tejada

Former Arlington County Board Chair
“I’ve always been impressed with Zuraya’s pleasant, professional leadership style. She is not afraid to roll up her sleeves and be part of a team to get things done. Our Arlington community will be fortunate to have Zuraya as our next School Board Member, and I’m pleased to endorse her.”
L. KAREN DARNER

Former Delegate Virginia House
TAKIS KARANTONIS

Arlington County Board Vice Chair
Zuraya is a decades-long resident of Arlington, mother of two children in our APS schools, and she has a long history as a volunteer for community causes focused on workforce development, civic engagement, and education. Professionally she is an attorney and public affairs executive, as well as a fully binational, bicultural Mexican-American, which all brings a unique vision and expertise that will no doubt serve us all well
MATT DE FERRANTI

Arlington County Board Member
“Zuraya Tapia-Hadley’s experience as a parent and career in communications, policy and advocacy equip her to serve all Arlington students well. Her priorities—safety, quality education for all, and transparency—align with this moment and my views about the leadership we need on the School Board. I endorse Zuraya Tapia-Hadley enthusiastically and hope you will join me voting for her in the School Board Caucus.“
Sheriff Jose Quiroz

Arlington County Sheriff
“Having attended Arlington Public Schools, it is important to me and the community we serve, to have qualified people that care and understand the needs of our community, in leadership positions that will make important decisions regarding our children and schools. I am proud to endorse Zuraya Tapia-Hadley to serve on the Arlington School Board.”
Andres Tobar

Executive Director
Shirlington Employment and Education Center
Bryan Coleman

“I’m excited to endorse Zuraya because Arlington deserves a leader who is ready to start on day 1 and will work tirelessly to address the behavioral health crisis and eliminate the achievement gap.”
Gaston Araoz

Former advisor to U.S. Senator Tim Kaine
Jennifer Fascina Araoz

APS Parent
Leni Gonzalez

Former Chair
Shirlington Employment and Education Center
Mark Teel
Rosalia Fajardo

Multicultural Families and Education Center
Charley Conrad

Community Activist and Arlington Democrat
Carol Fontein

Community Activist and Arlington Democrat
ANNA COLANGELO

Arlington Business Owner
KATHLEEN MCSWEENEY

Community Activist
Tim Huson

Community Activist and APS Parent