Two seats on the Kannapolis City Schools’ Board of Education are up for grabs to Cabarrus County residents, and Anita Parker hopes to win one of them.

Parker, a former teacher, says she’s motivated to run because when those board seats come open and their current holders retire, the board will be without an experienced teacher.

“I think it’s important that the school board have an experienced teacher, because you need somebody who is in touch the staff, who knows what goes on in a classroom,” Parker said.

Parker, originally of Franklin, Va., graduated from Radford University in 1973 and taught school for 41 years before retiring in 2014. She spent 22 of those years teaching eighth grade science at Kannapolis Middle School.

“My love for kids and seeing that their needs are met is very strong,” she said.

Parker lives with husband, Jeff. She has two married children, Jayson and Brad, and three grandchildren with another on the way. Parker volunteers at Forest Park Elementary School, NorthEast Medical Center and Trinity United Methodist Church.

Parker’s priority is retaining teachers and building a stable foundation for the future growth of Kannapolis City Schools — stability is a primary key to a successful school system, she said.

Her experience and desire to make change are her strengths, she said.

“I have a great passion for education,” she said.

In Rowan County only residents living within the Kannapolis City Schools district may vote for board candidates. Voting for the Kannapolis Board of Education will be on March 15, in conjunction with the North Carolina primary. Newly elected members will be sworn in at the board’s April meeting.