Amanda Quillin is a candidate for Chesapeake School Board in a Special Election. This is a non-partisan race. Her name will appear on the November 4, 2025 General Election ballot. Quillin is running against Daniel A. Stahler.
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10 On Your Side reached out to all of the candidates running in this race, with a request for a bio and a list of questions to answer. The bio is unedited; this is what the candidate submitted. If you do not see the candidate listed with a profile, we did not receive one.
Name: Amanda Quillin
Age: 42
Website: www.quillinforchesapeake.org
Party: N/A
Biography
I’m a proud Chesapeake resident of 16 years, a mom of two sons who have grown up in Chesapeake Public Schools, and a Navy wife. My husband served our country for 21 years before transitioning to civilian life. Our family’s deep roots in this community and in public service have shaped my dedication to advocating for children, families, and educators. Professionally, I serve as an Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Health Sciences program at Old Dominion University. I bring years of experience in healthcare, education, and community advocacy to every role I take on. My background includes clinical work, program leadership, and curriculum development. I’m also nationally certified as both a health education and health literacy specialist. I currently serve as Chair of the City of Chesapeake’s Commission on Health and Well-being, where I help connect local families with critical services and support. I’m also a passionate maternal health advocate, working to improve outcomes through policy, education, and awareness. Whether it’s sharing my lived experience, teaching, or organizing, I fight to make systems work better for the people they serve. Now, I’m running for School Board to put that same passion and commitment to work for our students, teachers, and schools. I believe in listening to our community and turning those voices into real, effective action.
Why are you running for office?
I am running for School Board because I believe every child in Chesapeake deserves access to a safe, supportive, and high-quality education. As a mom of two Chesapeake Public Schools students, a professor, and a community leader, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges our schools face. I want to ensure that our teachers have the resources they need, that our students are learning in safe and healthy environments, and that our city makes the necessary investments to keep our schools strong for years to come.
If you are elected, what will be your top priority in office?
My top priority will be recruiting and retaining excellent teachers. Without strong, supported educators in our classrooms, none of our other goals can be achieved. This means advocating for competitive pay, retention bonuses, protected planning time, and ensuring that teachers have the tools and support staff they need so they can focus on teaching. I plan to implement teacher listening sessions and forums so that I can take the teacher’s voices with me to the room where decisions are being made. They are the experts in their fields and it’s time we treat them as such.
Do you believe partisan politics have a place in schools?
No. Our schools should be a safe place for learning, not a battleground for partisan politics. Students and teachers deserve an environment focused on academic excellence, critical thinking, and personal growth. When politics intrude into the classroom, it distracts from our core mission: preparing young people for their future. Decisions made by the School Board should be guided by what is best for students, families, and educators, not by party agendas. As a parent, professor, and advocate, I believe in keeping our schools focused on education, equity, and opportunity, not political division.
What say should parents have in the curriculum taught to their child?
Parents play an essential role in their children’s education and should have opportunities to be informed, engaged, and heard. Chesapeake already has policies in place that allow parents to review curriculum and instructional materials, and I support transparency and accessibility in that process. At the same time, curriculum decisions must remain evidence-based, aligned with state standards, and guided by what best prepares students for success. The goal is to create a collaborative approach where parents, teachers, and administrators work together to support student learning without politicizing education or undermining professional expertise.
How do you work with others you don’t agree with?
I believe progress happens when we listen first and seek common ground. We all bring different lived experiences to the table, that have shaped the way we see the world. When we consider this, it is easier to see one another’s perspective. In my professional and community leadership roles, I’ve worked with people from diverse backgrounds with very different perspectives. The key is focusing on shared goals, such as ensuring our students receive the best education possible, rather than on disagreements. Even when I don’t fully agree with someone, I approach the conversation with respect, empathy, and a willingness to compromise if it benefits our schools and students. Building trust and working collaboratively is how we move forward as a community.
