November 9, 2023
Dear friends,
I would like to express my gratitude to the voters of Fairfax County for electing me to serve another term on the School Board. I am deeply honored that you all chose to place your trust in me yet again, and I look forward to bringing my more than 20 years of experience to this new Board. I especially want to thank everyone who volunteered and/or donated to my campaign. Your contributions to our efforts were crucial to this result.
As an immigrant from a working-class family in post-war South Korea, I have great appreciation for everything that public schools did for me, and I look forward to ensuring that our children grow into happy and successful adults. I know that serving on the School Board is a great responsibility, and I am excited to get back to work.
Lastly, I look forward to serving with the other 11 elected School Board members. Fairfax County can rest assured that they have sent a great slate of candidates to represent them on the School Board.
Sincerely,
Ilryong Moon
Empowering students, teachers, and families for a brighter future.
An Experienced, Progressive, and Pragmatic Voice
Dear Fairfax County,
I am running for an at-large seat on the Fairfax County School Board. Although I retired from the School Board in 2019 after 20 years of service, I have determined that this year, more than ever, we need strong, experienced, and respected School Board members.
The last three years have been difficult for all our students, families, and school staff in Fairfax County. The negative impacts of the pandemic were real and serious, and they remain with us today. Communities have been divided over numerous issues.
I have the experience, temperament, passion, work ethic, knowledge, and maturity to work with people with diverse opinions and backgrounds. I am a listener and a uniter, and I can make tough decisions while still ensuring people feel that they are heard and their opinions matter.
I am an immigrant who arrived from Korea at the age of 17 in 1974. Korea was a poor country back then, and my family was even poorer. As an ESL student, I had to study hard, and my parents, who lacked English language skills, worked hard to support our family and champion the education of their three children. Education meant everything to us.
All three of us went to college. I attended Harvard and William and Mary for law school and have been practicing law locally since 1984. But, as a father of two sons who graduated from the Fairfax County Public Schools, I am most proud of my decision to serve the public. It was important to work with my neighbors to improve the community and that immigrants should have that opportunity as well. My decision to serve has provided me with opportunities to work as a School Board member and a planning commissioner in Fairfax County for almost 25 years, which has been the honor of a lifetime.
Fairfax County Public Schools is an excellent school system, but it can be better. I want to continue my efforts to help all of our students be well prepared to enter the next phase of their life when they graduate. That will be my solemn duty. I am an experienced, progressive and pragmatic voice that the next board will need.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ilryong Moon
Reading to students at Colin Powell Elementary School in 2008
Academics
This is the core mission of the school system, and we should put our best efforts to prepare our students to enter the next phase of their life when they graduate.
A conversation with school custodians circa 1999
Teacher and Support Staff
High-quality teachers and support staff are key to student success. We should be leading statewide and national efforts to elevate and treat our teachers as true professionals.
Discussing Education Issues with Community Representatives
Working with Families and Community
Families are partners in educating our students, and everyone should treat them as such. They must be provided with adequate information and tools to help their students at home. Our communities are resourceful, and we need to work with them more closely to tap their resources for our students’ education.
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
moonschoolboard@gmail.com