LaJoy Johnson-Law
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LaJoy Johnson-Law is a member-elect of the District of Columbia State Board of Education, representing Ward 8. She assumes office on January 2, 2025.
Johnson-Law ran for election to the District of Columbia State Board of Education to represent Ward 8. She won in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Johnson-Law completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
LaJoy Johnson-Law was born in Washington, D.C. She earned a high school diploma from the Forestville Military Academy. Johnson-Law's career experience includes working as an education advocate. As of 2024, she was affiliated with Advocates for Justice and Education.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: District of Columbia State Board of Education election, 2024
General election
General election for District of Columbia State Board of Education Ward 8
LaJoy Johnson-Law won election in the general election for District of Columbia State Board of Education Ward 8 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | LaJoy Johnson-Law (Nonpartisan)  | 98.2 | 21,564 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.8 | 394 | ||
| Total votes: 21,958 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Robbie Woodland (Nonpartisan)
Endorsements
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To view Johnson-Law's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Johnson-Law in this election.
2020
See also: District of Columbia State Board of Education election, 2020
General election
General election for District of Columbia State Board of Education Ward 8
Carlene Reid defeated Ryan Washington and LaJoy Johnson-Law in the general election for District of Columbia State Board of Education Ward 8 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Carlene Reid (Nonpartisan) | 46.5 | 13,155 |
 | Ryan Washington (Nonpartisan) | 27.1 | 7,660 | |
| LaJoy Johnson-Law (Nonpartisan) | 25.7 | 7,275 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.8 | 226 | ||
| Total votes: 28,316 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
LaJoy Johnson-Law completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Johnson-Law's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
LaJoy is a Ward 8 resident with a beautiful 13-year-old daughter—Abria. LaJoy has been heavily involved in the education and policy landscape in DC for over 12 years. LaJoy is a fierce subject matter expert in education and has been a fighter for special education, schools east of the river, and children with disabilities and their families. LaJoy holds an Associate’s Degree in Elementary Education, a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Phoenix. Additionally, LaJoy also holds a Master of Philosophy in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration. LaJoy sits on various community and educational related boards, helped advocate for the digital equity divide, and hosts a community and literacy Facebook live podcast. LaJoy is a fierce advocate for all children, schools and families in Ward 8.
- I'm a mom raising a child in the Great Ward 8. I want the best education not just for my child but for every child.
- Our school communities need the WHOLE village! This is true Inclusion
- Powerful Families and Powerful Communities make Powerful Schools
Education, Special Education, Disability Rights and Justice, Out of School Time policies
My MOM- She is my SHERO!
MISS VIRGINIA- As a proud single mother of a child with disabilities, we come to the political space with a different level of advocacy and a different fire for our communities. This movie is a testament to a Mother's love and getting into politics to represent communities that are unfortunately not represented.
I have the lived experience, the education and creative and problem solving skills that will make me a great candidate.
I'm running for the State Board of Education because I want to make a difference and improve our Ward 8 families' quality of education. I want to bring fresh ideas and a compelling voice to the school board. I want families and teachers at the decision-making table to ensure a more inclusive education system, especially for our black and brown families. Our children in Ward 8 deserve the best high-quality schools equipped with the resources to push our children toward their dreams! If elected to the SBOE, I would champion the board to expand its policy and advocacy efforts on family engagement, safety, special education, mental health, and accountability. It's time for our state board of education to reflect our community's true diversity, including ensuring that mothers are represented!!!!
BLACK MOTHERS ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MOMS ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DISABILITY MOMS ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Forever 21 before Colleg!
Reading to my Daughter! Right now we are reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid!
Anybody Disney LOL!
Jhene Aiko- Vote
The primary job of the State Board of Education is to be an advisory board to OSSE (Office of the State Superintendent of Education) and to be the Voice in Education for our communities. We are the advocacy voice in education. As an advocate in education, I believe the biggest challenge facing public education is the lack of a collaborative plan that prioritizes deep partnerships among families, teachers, and government agencies for the benefit of our students. If elected, I am committed to empowering families to advocate for their children and ensuring they have a voice in decision-making alongside other stakeholders. I will work to ensure the board includes more families in the process of drafting and proposing resolutions. Our focus should be on increasing family engagement, expanding access to mental health initiatives, and providing innovative safety and special education resources. Lastly, another top challenge in education is the implementation of special education and ensuring schools, families, and students have the necessary resources to implement special education well. I will continue to advocate for adequate and equitable funding for special education programs and services and advocate for adequate and appropriate special education for all of our teachers.
Ward 8
Special Education should be an included priority for all educational stakeholders (DCPS, DC Charters, PCSB, DME, OSSE, etc.). Unfortunately, it is often forgotten about in so many ways and really needs to be parallel and paramount in the education conversation. Special Education is a federal mandate that deserves proper oversight and collaboration from all stakeholders, especially OSSE—since they are the State Education Agency (SEA) that receives the federal funds for special education. Teachers should not feel retaliated against when there are violations such as grade inflation or noncompliance with special education matters.
We should ensure our teachers have the training, pathways to specific certifications, tools, and resources to succeed in the classroom proactively, which will close the turnover gap. I would continue to champion for the SBOE to continue its work and research on teacher retention and work with all teachers and the WTU to identify the gaps and develop comprehensive solutions with teachers at the decision-making table and additionally to work more closely with the accreditors in the Teacher’s Preparation Program to address the concerns early on.
Financial Literacy, Special Education, literacy, Math, Career and Technical Training, Internships
We need to re-think and re-imagine how the schools are funded, and they should not be Based on
the enrollment number of students; that’s not equity. It should be based on what the school needs
and the school should receive its funds quarterly based on the particular needs of the school.
There really needs to be a more individualized approach to funding schools. For example, schools
could submit individualized school budget plans to OSSE, and schools can work with their elected
State Board of Education Representatives will help advocate for equitable quarterly funding based
on where the school is in its budget plan.
It is imperative to collaborate with all of our teachers, parents, principals, schools and community stakeholders to ensure the safety of our students, teachers, staff, and families in every school. I will work closely with Ward 8 school leaders to advocate for higher health and safety standards. Our children can't learn if they aren't healthy and safe, and our teachers can't teach under those conditions either. It's crucial for all of us to partner with DCPS and DC PCS to support effective intervention and responsiveness in health and safety emergencies. I would like to see more public health measures around mental health services. Mental health professionals must be in our schools to help ensure students have the support they need to navigate stress, trauma, and other challenges that affect their well-being.
All of our students, faculty and staff should feel supported, especially with mental health. Every child should have access to school-based mental health support despite their insurance status. Mental health is critical, and children and families should not be denied access to mental health services over money. Moreover, teachers, should also have access to mental health supports. Many of our teachers are serving in multiple roles and they should have access to programs and appropriate mental health care services inside and outside of school.
Too many inside jokes to tell lol
Special Education Standards and Training for Teachers, Parent Engagement Policies and Standards and ensuring Graduation Requirement Policies are inclusive and accessible.
New Politics, Vote Mama
Beautiful, Inclusive, Creative, Invigorating, Fun, Open, Challenging, Transformative, Innovative, Creative, Accessible, Safe.
As a mother with 13 years of experience in DC education and the disability field, including active involvement in advocacy groups, community councils, and writing OP-ED articles, I have seen a crucial need: we must elect more parents to the SBOE and other city positions. It is disheartening to know our current version of the board does not have the voice of ANY Mothers. We must encourage families to share their stories to help shape more inclusive and impactful policies. Policymaking should not proceed without the input of teachers and families who are directly affected by these policies. If elected to the SBOE, I will champion this cause by fostering family and community engagement and promoting policies that are created with families and teachers, not just for them.
Elected officials must act with the highest level of integrity and transparency. We must focus on uplifting our community and ensuring that it has the resources needed to thrive, rather than taking away from it.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2020
LaJoy Johnson-Law did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
See also
2024 Elections
Government
External links
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Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 24, 2024
