Why you should use your educator voice in your local city hall

As Columbus Education Association member Shanette Strickland puts it: "If you can manage 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, adults are no problem." Educators have many transferrable skills needed to be effective leaders in their local city governments. Strickland, who is currently the Reynoldsburg City Council President and running for Reynoldsburg Auditor in the upcoming General Election, shares her journey to local leadership and her career in education, as well as her advice for other educators who are thinking about running for office.

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Featured Public Education Matters guest: 

• Shanette Strickland, Columbus Education Association member
  • Shanette Mobley Strickland is a dedicated public servant, business owner, educator, and advocate for fiscal integrity, currently serving as the President of the Reynoldsburg City Council. In this role, she has been instrumental in fostering collaboration, driving initiatives for transparency, and championing policies that promote economic growth and inclusivity.
    She envisions Reynoldsburg as the premier destination in Ohio for residents and businesses alike, focusing on strategic investments that enhance infrastructure, technology, and community well-being.
  • Building on her leadership experience, Shanette is now a candidate for City Auditor in the November 2025 election. She aims to bring her expertise in information technology, project management, and financial oversight to the Auditor’s office, ensuring fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability in the city’s financial operations. Her commitment to ethical
    governance and responsible budgeting will help Reynoldsburg navigate challenges while seizing opportunities for sustainable growth.
  • In addition to her public service, Shanette is an educator, teaching information technology to students in Columbus City Schools, where she is passionate about preparing the next generation for careers in technology and innovation. She understands firsthand the importance of education, workforce development, and equipping young people with the
    skills needed for success in a rapidly evolving economy.
  • Shanette’s leadership extends beyond public office. She and her husband, Chris Strickland, run The Source Group LLC, a technology company that focuses on innovation, digital strategy, and business solutions. As entrepreneurs, they understand the importance of economic empowerment, job creation, and leveraging technology to drive progress.
    A first-generation college graduate, Shanette holds a Bachelor of Science in Technical Management from DeVry University and a Master of Business Administration from Franklin University. Her personal journey underscores her commitment to education and mentorship, inspiring her work in empowering underserved and underrepresented communities.
  • With over 25 years of experience in information technology and 12 years in project management, Shanette brings a strategic, data-driven approach to governance. She has held leadership roles in organizations such as the Reynoldsburg Football Parent Association, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and Charms Inc. Columbus Chapter, serving as Financial
    Secretary and National Recording Secretary. A fierce advocate for social justice, she has championed initiatives promoting inclusion, particularly for young African American males, and remains a steadfast voice for the disenfranchised, underserved, and overlooked. In 2019, Shanette made history as o