During a “Dateline New Haven” interview, Jamilah Prince‑Stewart, CEO of the statewide nonprofit Faith Acts for Education, outlined her organization’s priorities for the upcoming November 3 election. Prince‑Stewart, a Yale graduate who grew up in West Hills and attended private schools through her mother’s sacrifices, now leads a coalition of Black pastors focused on improving education outcomes for Black and brown children.
Advocacy goals
Faith Acts is not endorsing any candidate, but it has released a voter guide urging parents to support measures that increase public‑school funding, especially for urban districts, and expand school‑choice options such as charter schools, magnet programs and parochial alternatives. The group proposes tapping Connecticut’s rainy‑day fund for short‑term aid and pursuing longer‑term revenue ideas identified by a citizens‑assembly tied to the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities.
Teacher incentives and staffing
Prince‑Stewart called for higher stipends for teachers working in high‑need classrooms, greater recruitment of minority educators, and streamlined licensing for out‑of‑state teachers. She highlighted the shortage of literacy coaches and other support staff, noting that without additional resources schools cannot create smaller, focused learning groups.
Collaboration with teachers unions
Despite historic tensions between charter‑supporting groups and teachers unions, Prince‑Stewart praised New Haven Federation of Teachers President Leslie Blatteau for joint advocacy on increased funding and reform of the Educational Cost‑Sharing formula. Blatteau acknowledged common ground while expressing concern that new charter schools could divert resources from existing schools serving vulnerable students.
Looking for an education‑focused governor
Prince‑Stewart said the state needs a governor who will take a holistic approach to education, citing Mississippi’s rapid rise in reading scores as a model for how focused investment and curriculum reform can produce results.
Personal story behind the mission
Prince‑Stewart’s own experience mirrors the choices many families face. After her mother worked multiple jobs to send her to St. Aeden’s Catholic School and the exclusive Hopkins School, Prince‑Stewart’s family later bought a home in the Worthington Hooker School district but chose to enroll their daughter in St. Thomas’s Day School, citing the privilege to make the best individual decision for their child.
She urges families to make the best choice for their children while also working to change the system so all families have those options.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
