Background & Qualifications:
Maya Miernik is a dedicated community member. She is a parent, teacher, and small business owner here in Manassas Park. As an English Language teacher at Manassas Park City Schools, she has connected with many students and families over the last 14 years. In addition to her assigned role, Maya has contributed to Manassas Park by participating in the MPCS Strategic Plan Development Committee, serving on the Gifted Parent Advisory, and volunteering at community events. In addition, she was a part of the Hispanic and Spanish Speaking Community Leaders 2050 Comprehensive Planning focus group. She has also partnered with various organizations in Manassas Park to provide reduced cost English classes and connect our community to needed resources.
Outside of public service, Miernik lives in Manassas Park with her family and four cats. In her free time Miernik enjoys teaching Zumba, reading books, and starting new projects.
Priorities & Values:
Education & Youth Support: The youth of Manassas Park are the future. To that end, the council must support their growth and development to the best of our ability. As a school teacher and a parent, Maya has seen first hand the opportunities that exist in Manassas Park, and the areas that could use improvement. Maya commits to funding our public schools, and furthering the career technical education initiatives that are already in the works. Manassas Park students deserve to be able to support themselves once they graduate high school, and she will work to make that happen.
In addition, Maya proposes creating more opportunities for early childhood education through expanding Manassas Park’s Head Start program. Providing early childhood education is linked to better outcomes in school and in life. Early childhood is a worthwhile investment, especially for a city with a large population of young children.
Economic Growth & Job Creation: Miernik believes that economic growth is the key to an improved quality of life for the residents of Manassas Park. Maya also believes that growth should not happen at the expense of quality of life for the residents. Before construction happens, Manassas Park needs business to lighten the residential tax burden. These businesses need to be successful in order to stay in Manassas Park. To that end, Miernik’s proposal is simple: get people in the door. Expand modes of transportation to get from both ends of the Park to the City Center. In addition, Maya proposes stronger partnerships with Manassas Park City Schools, and local colleges to connect our residents to the growing economic opportunities in our town.
Healthcare Access & Community Wellbeing: In Manassas Park, there are substance use and mental health challenges that impact youth as well as adults. Although there are resources, they are utilized to their fullest potential. Miernik’s first step is to make the community aware of the resources that already exist, then work on expanding Manassas Park’s resource centers that would provide support for residents. Destigmatizing challenges is a step that Maya would also work toward, growing awareness and empathy through community education. Finally, Maya would like to expand on our affordable health care options by growing our existing partnerships with local universities and state agencies.
Why Vote for Maya Miernik?
Proven Track Record of Results: Maya Miernik brings a strong history of providing families connections to resources, demonstrating an ability to deliver concrete, measurable solutions for working families across Manassas Park. Due to Maya’s connections, students without work have been able to find meaningful employment, families who struggled with crisis situations were able to get the help they needed, and adults were able to grow in their careers. These solutions, provided through personal connections, have improved the quality of life for our residents.
Deep Commitment to Community Values: Guided by principles of fairness, transparency, accountability, and inclusivity, Maya Miernik is committed to ensuring every resident has an active voice in local governance and policy decisions. As a parent and teacher leader, Maya is very transparent and authentic in her leadership style, and this quality lends itself to public office. Maya believes in surveying the population, creating focus groups, and talking with individuals to understand their needs and goals for Manassas Park. In addition, Maya’s background as an educator allows her to explain aspects of government in a comprehensible manner in English and Spanish to Manassas Park residents.
Effective Leadership & Collaboration: With extensive experience in education and leadership, Maya Miernik possesses the practical skills necessary to manage budgets responsibly, bridge divides, and build collaborative coalitions to solve complex community challenges. She works regularly with various stakeholders to find solutions that are best for the students of the Manassas Park community. Working effectively with school administration, teachers, and parents requires collaboration and communication. In addition, she efficiently manages a budget that uses exactly what is required and nothing more. In this way, Maya plans to work collaboratively with the council to meet the needs of the residents of Manassas Park.
