Hi I'm Christa
Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to get to know me.
My name is Christa Estee. I am married to my amazing wife, Jody and we have 4 kids – 2 teenagers still at home and 2 who are grown up and on the east coast. One just graduated from law school, and one just graduated with her master’s in literature! We are also the moms of 2 cats. My family moved here three years ago and quickly fell in love with South St. Paul’s small-town feel, strong sense of community, and the way this city is growing and embracing diversity while honoring the traditions and hometown spirit that makes South St. Paul such a special place to live.
I went to the University of MN- Twin Cities for both my undergraduate and grad school (Go Gophers!). I have my BS in Family Social Science with a minor in Women’s Studies. I went to grad school for a dual degree in Social Work and Public Health, with an emphasis in Community Health. I completed all of my credits for my master’s degree, but was not able to finish my last internship for my masters due to health issues that arose. I have spent the last 20 years working with families and children with cognitive and developmental disabilities, serious and persistent mental illness, and homelessness as well as in education, advocacy and policy. I have worked in a variety of settings, including community settings, in-home, and schools. I have experience managing large budgets as well as conflict resolution – specifically restorative justice and am a trained community mediator with experience doing mediation in both community and court settings.
I believe that a school board is not a place to decide which children are worthy of support. Serving on a school board means serving every child—not only those who look like you, worship like you, live like you, or share your beliefs. This includes children of every race, culture, sexuality and gender identity, religious beliefs, political beliefs, ability, identity, and background. We do not have to personally understand every child’s experience, but we must respect their dignity, protect their right to learn, and care about their well-being.
20 YEARS
With families and children — disabilities, mental illness, homelessness, advocacy and policy.
EDUCATION
BS in Family Social Science. Graduate work in Social Work and Public Health from the U of M
BUDGETS
Experience managing large budgets and setting spending priorities.
MEDIATOR
Trained community mediator. Restorative justice in community and court settings.
I am involved in many community advocacy and community volunteer opportunities. I volunteer with domestic violence organizations, working on policy and advocacy efforts, have been involved in supporting Girl Scouts for 12 years and was a Girl Scout Leader for 10 years and a Service Unit Manager for 2 years, LGBTQIA+ organizations, and homelessness and food disparity efforts and organizations for over 20 years.
I love to read (as you can see from my picture – I’ve been reading from the get-go!), do arts and crafts – I especially love to crochet (I almost always have a crochet project with me, everywhere I go), travel, spend time with my family, both locally and far, hunt for and collect rocks, and finding a new Netflix series to watch with my wife.
FUN FACT:
I'm a direct descendant of Mary Towne Estey, convicted in the Salem witch trials. Her sisters Rebecca Nurse and Sarah Cloyce were accused too — there are museums, books, and movies about the Towne sisters.
FUN FACT:
I'm a direct descendant of Mary Towne Estey, convicted in the Salem witch trials. Her sisters Rebecca Nurse and Sarah Cloyce were accused too — there are museums, books, and movies about the Towne sisters.
I AM COMMITTED TO SERVING ALL STUDENTS.
I believe that a school board is not a place to decide which children are worthy of support. Serving on a school board means serving every child — not only those who look like you, worship like you, live like you, or share your beliefs. This includes children of every race, culture, sexuality and gender identity, religious beliefs, political beliefs, ability, identity, and background. We do not have to personally understand every child's experience, but we must respect their dignity, protect their right to learn, and care about their well-being.
PULL UP A CHAIR
I'm hosting community meetings across South St. Paul to hear what's on your mind. Sign up and I'll let you know when the next one's near you.
My first coffee in the park!