Kamilah Bywaters - "Lesson Learned"
In this episode of Sticky Note Conversations, host Erika Washington sits down with Kamilah Bywaters, a Las Vegas native, educator, and community leader running for Nevada Assembly District 2. Kamilah shares her journey from special education teacher to political candidate, discussing the systemic challenges plaguing the Clark County School District, the workplace politics that drive good teachers out of the profession, and why she decided to run for office again after a painful loss in her 2024 school board campaign. The conversation covers education equity, the state of democracy, voter priorities in District 2, and Kamilah's vision for representing her community in Carson City.
Show Notes
Episode Title: Sticky Note Conversations — Kamilah Byrates on Education, Equity, and Running for Assembly District 2
Host: Erika Washington Guest: Kamilah Bywaters — Candidate for Nevada Assembly District 2; licensed special education teacher, PhD candidate at UNLV, co-chair of the Las Vegas Alliance of Black School Educators
Duration: ~60 minutes
- (00:00) - Show Cold Open
- (00:43) - Welcome and Midterms
- (01:20) - Meet Kamilah Bywaters
- (02:42) - Conversations Not Interviews
- (03:29) - Who Is Kamilah
- (05:30) - Why Education and Special Ed
- (07:33) - New Teacher Hazing
- (10:20) - Workplace Politics Explained
- (17:27) - Tattle Phone Break
- (18:20) - CCSD Problems and Equity
- (20:20) - Power Blocks School Reform
- (24:53) - Why Keep People Down
- (29:58) - Lessons From Campaigning
- (31:05) - Words And Censorship
- (31:51) - Campaign Loss Lessons
- (33:35) - Thick Skin Strategy
- (35:38) - Why Run Again
- (39:28) - District Two Map
- (40:55) - Voter Priorities Issues
- (43:15) - Costs Economy Pressure
- (44:41) - Governing Approach Limits
- (47:09) - Bills Caucus Reality
- (52:08) - Democracy And Dream
- (56:05) - Pitch To District Two
- (58:10) - Closing Thanks Credits
Creators and Guests
