I’m Jia-Jing Lee—a medical scientist, community leader, and mother of two children attending public schools in Cambridge.
My journey to run for School Committee began over a decade ago, when I navigated the challenges of securing the right support for my son with special needs within the Cambridge Public School (CPS) district. I’ve experienced firsthand the frustrations families face when advocating for their children—especially through the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process.
I was recently part of the Kennedy-Longfellow community—my daughter’s school—where I saw how a school in a high-need area was too often left without the consistent support it deserved. It wasn’t a failure of teachers, but a result of inadequate district-level support and policy decisions that left the school underserved. When the district doesn’t show up for a school, the whole community—students, families, and educators—feels that absence. Across the district, many families and educators have expressed similar concerns about the lack of consistent support in their own school communities. Being part of this reality opened my eyes to how structural neglect can impact a school’s ability to thrive—and how urgently we need a system that shows up for every school.
CPS has many strong programs, dedicated educators, and bright spots worth celebrating—and I believe we can build on those strengths while confronting the areas where students and families still fall through the cracks.
As a mother, educator, and lifelong learner, I believe children learn best when they are engaged, curious, and inspired to create. Joyful learning isn’t extra—it’s essential. When students are excited and interested, they’re motivated to learn deeply and grow confidently. This is how lifelong learners are formed—not through pressure, but through purpose.
That’s why I’m running on three core priorities:
Equity, Access, and Achievement.
These values guide everything I do—ensuring every child is seen, supported, and challenged in ways that help them thrive. I am equally committed to supporting advanced learners and those thriving in our schools by expanding opportunities for deeper exploration, meaningful challenges, and leadership.
My priorities include:
Closing opportunity gaps and improving special education support
Expanding fun, engaging, and challenging learning—including project-based and multilingual programs—for all learners
Prioritizing mental health, life skills, and meaningful assessments that reflect real progress
Strengthening communication between families, educators, schools, and district leadership—including the School Committee
When elected, I will bring full-time dedication to this role—holding weekly office hours, visiting all schools regularly, and remaining fully accessible to students, families, educators, staff, and community members. My goal is to be a visible, accountable, and responsive member of the School Committee.
With global experience and deep local roots, I’m ready to bring heart, practical insight, and a full-time commitment to serve every learner and every voice.