This content has been paid for by Nicole Kemp for Center Grove School Board. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the campaign and do not necessarily reflect the views of the writer or the publication at large.
When Nicole Kemp decided to run for Center Grove Board of School Trustees, she knew it would be met with a variety of responses, but she realized after the previous election that she needed to put her outspoken nature to good use. Love her or hate her, one thing is for sure; Kemp is dedicated to bringing the focus back to teachers and students, and away from a political battleground. Upon first meeting her, one would assume that she was an extra on a “Real Housewives” series, but there’s so much more to her.
Kemp was born and raised a Trojan. She’s seen how the area has changed and is dedicated to supporting school graduates. Her son, Andrew II, is a freshman. The qualities Kemp and her supporters believe make her the ideal candidate for School Board are her experience working and volunteering in the schools, dedication to others, empathy, humility, and willingness to collaborate with everyone.
At age 18 Kemp became a single mother. For the next 12 years she worked a variety of jobs, ranging from bank teller to program coordinator at the Indiana State Department of Health, while living in Section 8 housing. She knows what it’s like to have little. To this day, Kemp continues to use her experiences. While on the parent-teacher organization (PTO) she created gift certificates for children who qualified for free and reduced lunch to participate at the book fair. Prior to the pandemic shutdown, she approached the PTO with the idea that they should help, and they did – they bought groceries and necessities for 20 families. In 2022 Kemp helped launch an initiative called Every Kid Eats Johnson County, which paid off lunch debt around the county.
Before becoming a substitute teacher, Kemp spent time as a room parent. She credits her son’s kindergarten teacher with helping her learn how to best advocate for his education and navigate the process of an individualized education program. Kemp has dedicated her life to becoming not only her son’s best advocate, but also supporting our educators. While on the PTO, she worked to increase the teacher’s classroom stipend, as well as the stipend for new teachers.
The main catalyst for Kemp’s advocacy for teachers was in 2022 when she was asked by many teachers to stand for them at the polls. Because of the turmoil regarding the school board election, they were concerned about speaking out, and although it created some controversy, Kemp believed she had a duty to support. All of this brings us back to why she is running. Kemp hopes to be a voice for teachers, be a supporter of student opportunities, and make sure education is always placed before politics.
Kemp knows she has a hurdle ahead of her. At the end of this, she hopes that people are able to learn more about who she is and why she is running.
Kemp has earned the Moms Demand Action and Mental Health Now distinction, signed the Defense of Democracy pledge, and is endorsed by the Good Party.
Election Day is November 5 – Center Grove will vote on two school board seats.
