What is your name?

Cassandra Norsworthy

Tell us more about yourself.

I am a mother, educator and neighbor in Henry County, committed to enhancing the educational journey for all students. As a lifelong resident, an autistic educator and a single mom of three, I bring a unique perspective that values authenticity and purpose. I firmly believe that our children deserve a joyful educational experience, free from the pressures of useless assessments and unnecessary stress. If academic success could be achieved through anxiety alone, our students would excel beyond measure. It is time we prioritize their well-being and provide them with an environment that fosters growth, curiosity, and joy.

What office are you running for?

Henry County Schools Board of Education, District 1

What is your party affiliation?

Non-Partisan

Attach a photo of yourself

Attach your resume or CV.

Where did you go to school?

- Union Grove High School, 2000-2001 - Stockbridge High School, 2001 - Faith Academy, 2001-2003 - Clayton State University 2006-2010 - B.A., Interdisciplinary Studies, Western Governors University, 2011 - M.B.A., IT Management, Western Governors University, 2018-2019

Provide the link to your campaign website.

https://www.vote4cassandranorsworthy.org/

What is your job/occupation?

Teacher

What city/neighborhood do you live in?

McDonough/Ola

Is this your first time running for office?

Yes

What experiences have best prepared you to hold elected office?

Overcoming obstacles and moving beyond my personal struggles has not only made me stronger and more empathetic but has also instilled in me a deep sense of duty to support the children and families in our community. As a former student in Henry County, I had to overcome poverty, homelessness, and more. Then as an educator, I witnessed firsthand the daily educational and emotional trauma that our students face. Now, as a single mother, I confront the difficulties of raising children in an era where we have lost the village of support without shedding the burden of judgment and critique.

What is the most critical issue currently facing your district and how would you address it?

I believe that the most critical challenge facing our district is misinformation masquerading as public relations. Collectively as a district, we are not meeting the needs of our students or our families but we are constantly patting ourselves on the back. Under our current leadership model of cascading accountability, millions of dollars have been invested in new district leadership positions while teachers and students suffer under the cascade of new reporting requirements to justify those same new positions. The district seems to work harder to cover up bad news than to fix the actual problem and remedy the situation.

What are your thoughts on the role of public schools in educating students about potentially controversial topics?

I believe that the ban on discussing controversial topics in education shows a lack of respect for the next generation. School, especially high school, has always been a time of growth and transition. When we ban controversial topics, we don’t make the issues go away. We just create a situation where we all cannot develop productive discourse or the ability to listen and understand our fellow humans.

What’s something the district isn’t doing now that you think it should do?

We have not explained to the community exactly what happened with our recent cyberattack. We do not know the extent of what was compromised or how much we spent to fix it, if it is even fixed. We need school plays, clubs, and student associations (including esports!) in every school and we need to pay teachers for their time spent sponsoring those experiences. We need more specials teachers in elementary schools.

What would you suggest so your school board can work better together?

I think every member of the school board and the district leadership team should be required to spend a minimum number of days volunteering as a substitute teachers in our schools.

What do you think about a parental requirement to “opt in” if they want their child to receive sex education?

It should be an opt out. Unfortunately, not all of our children are safe in their own homes and in those homes the lack of knowledge is the key to allowing abuse to continue.