My Story
I’m Carrie Rist. I’m a mother to five school-age kids, an advocate, educator, life-long student, soccer coach, and a perpetual optimist.
I have been a resident of Prince William County since 2014, when the military relocated our family from overseas. For 12 years of my life, I had the privilege to live, study and work in other countries and experience other cultures. How? I first went to South Korea after graduating from Western Illinois on a Fulbright scholarship, working as a teacher at Sunchon Boy’s High School. While in Korea, I completed my Juris Doctor at Handong International Law School with a focus on human rights advocacy. I stayed overseas, as a military dependent spouse, where we were stationed first in Guam and then Germany.
Fun fact: all five of my children were born overseas on military installations.
While in Germany, I taught elementary school and worked in advocacy as the local executive director and was later hired on working with a national human rights advocacy organization where I managed its partnerships with thousands of international affiliates.
The summer of 2014, after 12 years abroad and 5 children, we returned (or for some of the kids – first came) to the United States to our home in Triangle, Virginia. As a never-ending student, I went back to law school in pursuit of my LLM at George Washington School of Law while working on issues including education reform on Capitol Hill. Since then, I have worked on a wide range of policy issues, including combating human trafficking, community-building, housing and prison reform, and education.
Today, my family and I reside in Haymarket, where we are active in the community – whether it is volunteering passing out straws in the school cafeteria, judging posters and essay competitions, or on the sideline coaching Boys’ soccer at Bull Run.
I love Prince William County from Triangle to Haymarket – where I have called each home!
Why I’m Running
Parents, families and students in Prince William County deserve so much better. Let’s make it happen!
As a mom of three PWCS students (in elementary, middle, and high), I know the frustration that parents feel when we aren’t listened to, even as we stick up for the best interests of our children. As a teacher, I know that children learn best when the School Board gets out of the way of teaching and focus on education, not politics. As a coach, I know how important it is to be a role model, to set a strong and positive example.
Join my team and let’s bring back leadership that behaves transparently and listens. Let’s give parents the voice they deserve and not be dismissed. Let’s ensure students receive the awards and recognition they earn and are given the opportunity to excel. And let’s make sure our schools are focused on educating, not playing politics with our children.