Equity. Integrity. Accountability.

As a retired educator with decades of classroom experience, I am writing to offer my full and enthusiastic endorsement of Sarah Stelmok for a seat on the Fredericksburg City Public Schools School Board.

I’ve known Sarah for many years — both as a friend and as the parent of two children I had the privilege of teaching. I’ve also come to know her as a dedicated professional and a strong, intelligent advocate for families in our community. She is a top broker at one of the city’s leading real estate firms, where she works closely with families navigating the realities of school zones, educational options, and community needs. Her professional insights into what families need — and what they expect from public schools — are invaluable.

But beyond her success in business, it is her strength as a parent and advocate that truly sets her apart. Sarah is the mother of two children with special needs, and I witnessed firsthand the immense challenges she faced as she fought for appropriate accommodations. I was deeply disappointed by our local school system’s unwillingness to provide the support her children deserved, despite their clear needs. Unlike many parents, she rose to the challenge — learning the legal framework of special education and becoming one of the most knowledgeable and determined parent advocates I’ve encountered in my career. She and her husband were proactive, informed, and tireless — not just for their own children, but for others facing similar obstacles.

It is this combination of real-world knowledge, personal experience, and unwavering integrity that makes her exactly the kind of leader our school division desperately needs right now. I have watched, with growing concern, as our administrative systems have drifted away from the day-to-day realities of students, families, and teachers. Sarah understands those realities intimately — and she will not be afraid to ask hard questions, insist on accountability, and advocate for solutions that actually work.

In addition to her advocacy and business acumen, she brings strengths in collaboration, critical thinking, and community engagement — all essential qualities in an effective school board member. She has the professionalism to navigate complex systems, the empathy to understand the challenges families face, and the courage to speak up when it matters most.

Please join me in supporting Sarah Stelmok for school board. She will be a powerful voice for students, a steady partner to educators, and a thoughtful, solutions-oriented leader for our community.

*Credentials include over 30 years experience as a K,1,2 and 3rd grade classroom teacher, the division’s elementary level Gifted Education Coordinator and Instructor as well as a Math Remediation and Enrichment Teacher. I have served as a Promethean ActivBoard Teach-the-Teacher trainer , a member of the Gifted Advisory Board and the Superintendent’s Advisory Committee.   I have been a presenter at the Virginia Association for the Education of the Gifted. 

 I am writing to express my strong endorsement for Sarah Stelmok in the upcoming FCPS school board election. I have known Sarah for 7 years and have been consistently

impressed by her dedication to our community and the local schools. Her knowledge of law, negotiations, and contracts is complex and ever-growing. Sarah's ability to remain neutral in challenging situations and compartmentalize her feelings when necessary demonstrates true leadership qualities. Her ability to do this inspires composure and level-headedness in those around her. Sarah Stelmok possesses a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing this school district. She has demonstrated a clear vision for enhancing educational outcomes, promoting student well-being, and fostering a positive learning environment. I particularly admire her focus on ensuring a safe environment for students and her commitment to making meaningful change.

As a local owner of a successful real estate company, she is an ideal choice when it comes to education, budgeting, and risk management. Sarah is actively involved with the community and has already demonstrated a strong commitment to the school system, initiating the necessary changes. I have seen firsthand her

unwavering dedication to the families of this community. She has been a guiding light to my own family on several occasions. In one instance, we reached out to

Sarah, after experiencing a situation within my school system involving my niece. She didn't hesitate to get me in contact with an advocate and provide her

knowledge and support. We were prepared and able to act fast because of her willingness to help at a moment's notice. This is only one example of many. I am confident in Sarah's leadership skills, experience, and passion to serve on the FCPS school board effectively. Her commitment to collaboration, her ability to listen to diverse perspectives, and her tireless work ethic for the benefit of our students and parents make her the ideal candidate. I believe Sarah Stelmok is the strong voice

this community deserves to have on the school board. I strongly urge you to vote for Sarah Stelmok.

I have known Sarah Stelmok for over 15 years. I volunteered with her on the Fredericksburg Jaycees. I worked with and for her in the real estate industry. I also assisted her in advocating for her children' education. I have seen firsthand her dedication to education in all forms. 

If you know Sarah you know she loves to teach. I have taken many of her real estate classes and have seen her passion for education shine. That passion also transfers into assisting local schools. As Nest Realty agents, we all contributedto Sarah's Teacher Awards and were overjoyed to put money into the hands of hard-working teachers. 

However, my most memorable work with Sarah has been helping her secure education for both of her children. I watched her go through what all us parents feel when our kids are hurt. Despite all of the negative emotions and overwhelming stress, she continued fighting until she secured appropriate educational placements for her children. This is the woman you want fighting for your child's rights, too. 

Sarah's commitment to education is powerful. Combined with her willingness to understand disabilities, how they affect children, and advocate on their behalf, makes her a strong candidate for Fredericksburg City School Board. Her determination to go above and beyond to ensure students get what they need is truly remarkable. I am proud to endorse Sarah Stelmok as Nelson Advocacy's preferred candidate for Fredericksburg City School Board.

To the Constituents of Ward 3 of the Fredericksburg City School Board:

It is with great confidence that I support Sarah Stelmok for Ward 3 School Board in Fredericksburg. I have 23 years of experience teaching in the Virginia public school system. I have had the pleasure of knowing Sarah Stelmok for about 20 years. She has consistently been a champion of our great community and will, without question, work tirelessly to do what is in the best interest of the students, teachers, and community members. 

As a parent of two neurodivergent children, Sarah understands the increasingly diverse needs of the students in our community. She is steadfast in her advocacy for all children, giving a voice to our youngest community members. 

For many years, Sarah has worked to support educators, both as a former member of PTA organizations in the City of Fredericksburg, as well as through community partnerships with all local school systems. She instituted a program of recognition for local educators wherein community members nominate educators who do an excellent job for recognition of their contribution to their community. Sarah Stelmok has also contributed school supplies and helped meet the needs of our local students, educators, and community. These acts exemplify Sarah's deep connection and commitment to our community. 

As a local business owner, Sarah also brings to the table many skills that are valuable in propelling the school system into the future by improving areas of deficit. The needs of our students continuously evolve with the changing times. Special education, student discipline, student achievement, and student funding are major areas of concern for all stakeholders. Sarah provides a fresh perspective and brings new skills to the table. These strengths mean that she has the tools needed to improve areas such as reaching a consensus among stakeholders, managing risks posed to our students and their safety, public relations, and the attraction and retention of qualified educators who go above and beyond to meet the needs of all students. We can all agree that a stronger school system leads to a cohesive community and a better future for our students. 

Beyond her professional abilities, Sarah Stelmok is a compassionate person, firmly rooted in our community, who truly is invested in the future of the Fredericksburg area. Her dedication, drive, and commitment are exactly what our students, educators, parents, and community members need. A vote for Sarah Stelmok is a vote for our children. 

Wouldn’t you like to finally have a Fredericksburg City Public School Board member who isn’t in someone else’s pocket, who doesn’t bend to the ‘Good Old Boy’ network, who doesn’t play favorites, who is not bound by nepotism? 

Reading through the other statements of recommendations for Mrs.Sarah Stelmok, one can’t help but be impressed by her kindness, generosity, perseverance, grit, determination, and authenticity. Her words truly match her actions. 

I must say, the diplomatic letters of recommendation for Mrs. Stelmok are unparalleled by any other candidate. However, I’m not one to wax diplomatic anymore. I am a retired Special Education Teacher and can speak from the experience of working for Fredericksburg City Public Schools (FCPS). I had the honor of teaching Mrs. Stelmok's child. When I happened to mention not being able to get things for the classroom, the very next day, my room was filled with everything I had mentioned in passing. It wasn’t much later, I became familiar with her “Shopin' Pop-ins”: Mrs. Stelmok would drop off boxes and boxes of classroom supplies and gifts for the students, clasp her hands, tilt her head, smile, and go on about her day. Every year, she would check in on us to see if we needed anything, and then she would make certain we would get it. One year, I walked into a fully decorated classroom. On her own time and with her own money, she unselfishly created an incredible learning environment for other people's children. Never in my 20 years of teaching had a parent been so absolutely understanding of the needs of teachers and students.

Now, I will venture outside the diplomatic metrics to speak with truth and urgency about the serious issues facing the FCPS system. Changes needed within FCPS are immediate and critical. Considering the condition of the schools, the top-heavy administration, the overwhelming lack of qualified teachers at any grade level in any subject, and the numerous unqualified and unnecessary ‘create-a-position for retirement’ administrators promoted by “buddy or blood” and not by qualifications or need being subsidized with your tax dollars is it a mystery that FCPS is among the lowest-performing schools in the state? Time is truly of the essence. This is YOUR child’s future you are voting for, and Mrs. Stelmock will fight for everything they deserve.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different outcome. It is time to put an end to the rubber-stamped cycle of dysfunction that continues to permeate all aspects of your children's education. Your children are the future and should be given the respect their development and education deserve. It’s time to put an end to the endlessly repetitive cycles of failure. 

Mrs. Stelmok is the unbreakable powerhouse the FCPS system desperately needs to push through logical, fair, and appropriate initiatives and policies. She has fought for higher educational standards for her own children, and she will fight for yours with the same dedication and perseverance. She has taken on the entire FCPS system more than once and has walked away a winner each time. Her unbreakable spirit will lead ALL of Fredericksburg’s scholars to want to achieve more, and they will finally have a fighting chance for their future.

Sarah Stelmok is fierce and unafraid of making changes that benefit everyone. She truly is your children’s best advocate. 

During my time as a teacher with Fredericksburg City Public Schools, I experienced firsthand Sarah Stelmok’s thoughtful and consistent support of educators. Although I was not her children's teacher, she generously purchased items from my classroom wish list, demonstrating a sincere commitment to supporting all teachers and students—not just those directly connected to her family.  Through her business, Nest Realty, Sarah has made educator recognition a priority—most notably during Teacher Appreciation Week, when she honored nominated teachers with cash awards to show gratitude for their hard work. During her active involvement in the PTA, she also helped coordinate staff breakfasts and lunches, provided gift cards and care packages, and contributed school supplies—consistently going above and beyond to support the school community.  What has always stood out to me about Sarah is her unwavering presence and engagement within the Fredericksburg City Schools community. Whether it was a special event or an ordinary school day, she showed up—volunteering her time, lending a hand, or simply being available to support students, staff, and families. Her commitment to education is not performative or occasional; it’s a genuine and ongoing dedication. Sarah understands the needs of Fredericksburg’s schools at a ground level and brings both heart and practical experience to the table—qualities that will make her an outstanding advocate on the School Board.

During the past 3-4 years, I’ve had the pleasure of becoming very friendly with Sarah Stelmok. I can honestly say that not only is she a genuinely great human being, but also a tender-hearted woman with an extremely soft spot for all things “education-based.” Her affinity for the city’s teaching staff, administrators, students, and school employees resonates with resounding candor and appreciation. Her candidacy is more than warranted, as her skill set would be an astounding asset to the city in terms of pushing the education system forward in a fruitful direction.

Sarah Stelmok has been a dedicated supporter of FCPS teachers for many years. I had the pleasure of teaching her son in kindergarten, and she consistently went above and beyond to support my classroom. In her role on the PTA at Hugh Mercer, she helped provide thoughtful gifts and gestures that made teachers feel truly appreciated. Additionally, through her company, Nest Realty, Sarah has generously offered cash gifts to nominated teachers, further demonstrating her commitment to the education community.

My name is Sarah Gormley, and I have been a resident of Ward 3 for close to 30 years. I have watched The Fredericksburg City Schools grow and change.  Many of the changes have not been for the better; the school system is not what it used to be. 

We need a proven leader. I believe that leader is Sarah Stelmok. I have known Sarah for roughly 25 years and have always been impressed with her leadership and her " do what is right” attitude. She is a successful business owner and mentor who possesses the skills required to serve on a school board, including reviewing all aspects of contracts and addressing risk management. She will not sit back and withhold her experience.

She is also very supportive of all the schools in the area. In the past years she has supported the schools by giving away $100.00 to teachers that have been nominated by the community for Nest Realty's $100 for 50 event. I have watched her navigate her children through many school challenges and she has always made the right choice. She is pro public education and will be a breath of fresh air on the school board.

Why should you vote for Sarah Stelmok? 

Because Sarah Stelmok 

isn’t running for school board because she was cherry picked by a political party… she is running because she cares deeply for the children and families in this community. 

School board decisions effect our children’s lives on a daily basis. Which is why choosing a candidate with the right experience is of the utmost importance. 

One group that often gets over looked in school board meetings is the growing special needs population. I am an autism mom and childcare professional of 25 years. I have watched first hand as Sarah has stood up for the rights of her own special needs children. Blazing a pathway for other special needs families in Fredericksburg. In this election her passion for advocacy is ABSOLUTELY UNMATCHED!!! If the rights of special needs students are important to you then Sarah Stelmok is the right choice. 

Politics do not belong in our schools. Schools should be neutral ground where EVERY child’s needs are met regardless of their background. One thing I like best about Sarah is she has not sought out a political endorsement but has instead reached her hand out to people from both sides of the isle. Encouraging discussion and compromise. This is the kind of energy the Fredericksburg school system needs to

meet the challenges of the future.

If you’re looking for a candidate who is bipartisan, passionate and experienced. Someone who will advocate for ALL CHILDREN then vote Sarah Stelmok for Fredericksburg Ward 3 School Board.

I first came to Fredericksburg in the fall of 2000 as a freshman at Mary Washington College. At the time, all I knew was that it was a beautiful town with a gorgeous campus. It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with the people, the community, and the sense of belonging that I found here. Unlike the fast-paced Northern Virginia lifestyle I grew up with, Fredericksburg felt like a place where neighbors still waved hello, where people cared, and where the pace of life encouraged connection.

Over the past 25 years, Fredericksburg has undergone significant growth and change. Traffic is worse, life feels busier, and modernization has left its mark. Yet at its core, this is still the same “small-big town” I fell for—a place defined by its people.

In 2007, when I switched careers to real estate, I met Sarah Stelmok. At the time, she was serving on a young professionals committee with our Realtor Association, and she immediately stood out. Sarah took me under her wing, pushed me to grow, and showed me what it means to give 110% to everything you do. That spirit has carried through every role she’s taken on—whether as a professional, a parent, or now as a candidate for school board.

I’ve seen firsthand how deeply Sarah invests in people. When she became a mother, she fully embraced that role. I even trusted her with my own child, nanny-sharing for the first 14 months of his life. That’s the kind of trust Sarah inspires—because you know she’ll treat your child with the same care and commitment she gives her own.

I’ve also seen Sarah fight fiercely when systems fail to protect children. I cleared my schedule to sit beside her during hearings that no parent should ever have to endure—long days where her child was unfairly characterized by a system more concerned with appearances than with helping students grow. I knew this child from before he was born, and what I saw in those hearings was not the boy I love. It was a child who had been broken by a system unwilling to meet his needs. Sadly, I’ve seen the same happen with her daughter, too.

Fredericksburg City Schools, from my perspective, have too often glossed over the unique children—the ones who don’t fit neatly into the mold of “success.” But Sarah has never turned away from those children. She has stood up for them, supported them, and fought for their right to be seen.

That’s why I believe in Sarah’s candidacy. She won’t just advocate for students who are already thriving. She will fight for those who need help, the ones who fall through the cracks, and the ones whose families lack the resources to navigate the system. Sarah will be their voice. And with her on the school board, every child in Fredericksburg will have a champion.