Ashley Biondi, a lifelong Wyandotte County resident and Piper High School alumna, is running for the Piper Board of Education.
“Piper schools provided me with the education I needed to succeed and become an educator myself,” Biondi said. “It would be an honor and privilege to serve our community.”
Biondi received a Bachelor of Science in Education in elementary education and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from the University of Kansas in 2007. During her time at KU, she was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority, holding two executive positions as recording secretary and vice president of alumnae relations.
Biondi was also a member of the Multicultural Scholars Program, Sigma Delta Pi (National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society) and a volunteer for Project Bridge. She was also an intern in the Professional Development School program while completing her student teaching at the Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools.
After graduating from KU, Biondi taught first grade at Edison Elementary School in Wyandotte County. During her first two years teaching, she completed her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Kansas, as well as received the English for Speakers of Other Languages endorsement. She continued to teach through the 2014 school year then made the decision to step back from full-time teaching to focus on her family. She continues to substitute and holds a current teaching license in Kansas. Having been in the classroom, Biondi said that she understands the commitment and sacrifice teachers make on a daily basis.
“I will be an advocate for teachers to help them meet the needs of each child,” Biondi said.
Biondi is married to Anthony Biondi, and they have two daughters, Stella, 4, and Josephine, 2. This past year when Stella started preschool at the Piper Early Childhood Education Center, Biondi said she was reminded how important a quality education is, not only for her children, but for the community. This, combined with the current challenges facing public education, inspired Biondi to run for the Piper’s school board, she said.
“I am determined to maintain the quality of education our students are receiving, and that means high expectations for everyone involved in educating our children is a must,” she said.
The election is April 7.