COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The field for the Jefferson City Board of Education race continues to grow. Cierra Griffin, in a Monday press release, announced her bid for one of the open seats on the board. Ryan Towner, Gretchen Duckworth, Trent Vallandingham and Michelle Rodemeyer announced their c andidacies earlier this month. Three seats on the board are up for election. Griffin’s press release says she is the assistant director of school counseling services in the Office of College and Career Readiness at the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. She has lived in Jefferson City for 16 years and is a graduate from Lincoln Universty, holding a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education and a master of education degree in school counseling, the release says. Her son is a current student at the school district. Griffin describes herself as an advocate for public schools and listed transparency and “student-focused outcomes” as focuses of her campaign. “I’ve seen the power of strong teachers, supportive school environments, and open communication. I want to help strengthen public education, elevate student success, and support the transformational work happening in our schools. I bring a unique perspective shaped by both personal and professional experience,” she is quoted in the release.  The post Cierra Griffin announces candidacy for Jefferson City Board of Education appeared first on ABC17NEWS. ...read more read less