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Becka...

is...

  • a mom

  • a teacher

  • a union member

  • an artist

  • LGBT

  • a financial analyst

  • a mathematician

  • an adventurer

  • a Minneapolis kid

  • A Minneapolis Park Commissioner

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the candidate for our kids

Roots in Ward 12

Growing up in Ward 12 of Minneapolis, I didn’t know it by its district name—I simply called it home. I attended Cooper Elementary, already a scrappy tomboy with a strong sense of justice. Even in kindergarten, if someone was being bullied, I would step in—especially when a group of older boys bullied my sister. Though it didn’t end well for two small girls, that moment stayed with me: I vowed to become strong enough to always stand up for others.

Early Adventures and Community Values

That promise shaped my path. My parents made sacrifices to send my siblings and me to Minnehaha Academy, where I graduated as a proud Redhawk. I went on to earn a degree in mathematics from the University of Minnesota. My childhood in the Longfellow neighborhood was a treasure trove of adventures that helped shape my values and connection to the community. We walked through Dowling Gardens to Riverview Theater, stopping at Reidy’s Market, whose “Only five children allowed” sign was because of my friends and me. I learned softball at Hiawatha School Park, swam at Hiawatha Beach, and played tennis by Lake Nokomis. Starting in tee-ball, I eventually played shortstop in college. Decades later, I helped draft a resolution with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) to prioritize girls’ diamond sports, turning a childhood dream into reality and seeing firsthand how government can uplift its communities.

A Square Peg in a Round Hole

Growing up in the 1980s and 90s, I often felt like a square peg in a round hole, an experience that shaped my resolve to find my place and advocate for others who felt the same. Wrestling with identity wasn’t discussed much then, and I struggled with being different in how I looked and dressed. Writing and theater became my outlets. At Juilliard, I trained among world-class artists, eventually moving to Los Angeles while keeping my Midwestern roots. Despite Hollywood’s allure, my true passions remained coaching softball and teaching math. I even made films in South Minneapolis, including a memorable shoot at the Sunrise Inn—now Bull’s Horn—after a Vikings-Packers game, combining friends, film, and football.

Finding Clarity Through Family

The birth of my son brought clarity to feelings I’d long suppressed. Coming out upended my life, but it also reinforced my commitment to serving others.

A Legacy of Service

Service has always been central to my family. Their examples shaped my values and inspired me to prioritize acts of kindness and service in my own life. My father ran a free clinic, and my mother embodied kindness and action, from delivering meals to building homes. Their examples taught me the value of education, hard work, and compassion—lessons I’ve lived and passed on.

Advocacy Through Education

After this life change, I soon found myself tutoring at Avenues for Homeless Youth, teaching financial literacy to Northside teens, and introducing city kids to the Boundary Waters. I see Minneapolis through a child’s eyes, recognizing the potential each one holds. My students enrich my life, and I stay connected with as many as possible, proud of their journeys and grateful for my small role in their success.

Lessons from 2020

The events of 2020 deeply affected me, steering my focus from teaching to broader advocacy for children. Improving standardized tests and multilingual signage, I discovered, isn’t enough; systemic issues must be addressed. I realized that there are so many factors and events that can cause an entire society to forget about the simple well-being of children.

Why I Run

This is why I ran for the park board, and this is why I am now running for city council: I’m committed to making Minneapolis a city where every child is safe, valued, and able to thrive.

Balancing Roles

Running for office as a full-time teacher and single mom is an enormous challenge—one I cannot tackle alone. I’ve taken on this journey, however, because I believe it’s necessary to ensure that the voices of educators—and the children we serve—are heard at every level of decision-making.

As a teacher, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges our children face and the resilience they demonstrate. By having a seat at the table, we can better advocate for children and the communities that support them.

Voices of the Youth

I’ve had students tell me all sorts of things in my career—things running the gamut from math questions to necessitating a mandated report. Some things have stuck out to me in recent years. A student told me after surviving Lake Street: “My dad and my uncle were up all night with the hose. We were able to save our business, but our friends weren’t as successful. It feels like people just want us to stay quiet about what happened. People just want us to forget.” Another student told me, “The most segregated place in the city is the commons of the lunchroom… but no one wants to know that. Nobody cares about us.”

There are many in this city who might accuse me of exaggerating or overemphasizing these concerns, but these are not my words. Until we elevate the experiences of our children, and protect their safety, we will not have the peace we seek.

Leading with Purpose

Our city hasn’t had a teacher on the council in decades—perhaps ever. It would be a profound honor if the people of Ward 12, my home, chose to send me there. Teachers are the quiet builders of our communities. They lead from behind, ensuring every voice is heard, every head is counted, and no one is left behind. In a word, teachers embody selfless leadership, putting the needs of others first. I pledge to bring my 25 years as a teacher to city hall, transforming those skills into action for our city. With honor, integrity, and truth as my guide, I promise to lead and to serve Ward 12 with unwavering dedication.

Together, let’s create a Minneapolis that’s the best place for kids to grow, dream, and thrive.

the polar plunge with MPRB commissioners and superindentent Bangoura
Becka Thompson on the soccer team
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prepared and paid for by Friends of Becka Thompson 2025

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