Rochelle "Shelly" Soffer
Non-Partisan | Florida
Candidate Profile
Leans Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
University of Florida, Gainesville, M.A., 2001-2004
University of Florida, Gainesville, M.A., 1999-2001
Stetson University, Deland, M.A., 1995-1999
WORK & MILITARY
Broward County Public Schools, Speech Language Pathologist, 2006-2026
Professional Speech Associates, Speech Language Pathologist, 2009-2026
LLIPSS, Speech Language Pathologist, 2004-2006
AFFILIATIONS
Broward Teachers Union, Designated Steward, 2012-2026
Good Karma Pet Rescue of South Florida, Mentor/foster/volunteer, 2021-2026
Broward Teachers Union, Executive Board Member, 2014-2022
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Broward County School Board Member District 7, 2026-2026
ENDORSEMENTS
LIBERAL (2)
Florida Education Association
Broward Teachers Union
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Jim Waldman
Nora Rupert
SELECTED FINANCIAL SOURCE DOCUMENTS
Complete list of candidate's Campaign Finance Reports can be found on the Broward County Supervisor of Elections website.
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Based on the concepts of my faith, we believe in life saving measures.
What role should the school serve in helping a student with an unwanted or crisis pregnancy?
We offer social work services and mental health counseling for students who find themselves pregnant. When this occurs in a manner inconsistent with the laws of the State of Florida, we have a duty to report this to local authorities for further assistance as warranted.
ECONOMY
Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt.
Neutral
We have very fine individuals whose economic situations are NOT conducive to affordability for college & with past practices of variable student loan interest rates, we need to look at forgiveness based on outcomes of select majors & employment. Personally, being raised by a single mother after the early death of my father, we could not afford college on her income despite my working to assist, so being in a public service position with access to student loan forgiveness was critical.
What is your position on government funding of public education from Pre-K through college?
There should be public funding available but we must demand accountability and scrutiny of the means in which the funds are used. Currently, funds are nearly impossible to monitor from reception to disbursement and it is too easy to "hide" them in projects or budgetary lines that may not align with current student needs.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
With regard to public schools, what does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
Religion is a personal choice - not everybody worships the same. We can & do offer a moment of silent reflection in the schools but being forced or coerced into participating in an event inconsistent with student or staff personal religious practice places an undue burden & could potentially cause friction in a place that is meant for education by fact, not faith. I would not want to be subjected to a religious ritual involving animal torture and I would surely protect any child from this.
IMMIGRATION
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enhances the safety and security of communities by identifying and detaining illegal aliens.
Agree
EDUCATION
Abortion and gender-affirming providers, including Planned Parenthood, should be a resource for instruction or services in the school.
Choose not to answer
Consequences for bad behavior create a safe and orderly environment, which is essential for student learning.
Strongly Agree
Too often there is limited accountability and we must ensure the safety/well being of ALL when deviant behavior is present.
Educators should give students a thorough education in America's founding documents and cultivate American patriotism.
Strongly Agree
Based on facts of original documents.
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Neutral
There are pros and cons to this idea with too many threads in this tangled rope to tease apart. There needs to be some consistency between states but there also needs to be a level of state autonomy and responsibility.
If you support the teaching of Sex Ed, please answer the following question: Sexual education should include these topics (list all that apply and add your own, if needed) -- abortion methods and side effects; abstinence; consent; contraceptive methods; human anatomy/the reproductive system; physical and emotional health outcomes; sex acts and pleasures of sex; sexual orientation and gender identity; stages of pregnancy and fetal development
I don't want my children learning about sex acts, pleasures of sex, sexual orientation and gender identity from anyone other than a trained professional. This is a personal choice and not one I take lightly. Those are best addressed by parents or caretakers based on familial viewpoints in the absence of a trained professional but not the responsibility of educators.
Please list in order the following priorities in relation to the role of a K-12 public school (omitting any that do not apply): American History, Art & Music, Civics, Critical Race Theory, Foreign Language, Gender Identity, Information Technology, Language Arts, Mathematics, Personal Finances, Physical Fitness, Political Activism, Science, Sexuality, Social Emotional Learning, Vocational Learning
American History, Civics, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Personal Finances, Physical Fitness, Vocational Learning, Art & Music, Information Technology, Social Emotional Learning, Foreign Language, Sexuality.
Public schools should prioritize academic achievement and building character necessary to preserve American traditions and self-government.
Strongly Agree
School choice creates competition, and that competition will push public schools to improve their educational systems.
Agree
School choice amongst public schools 100%.
VALUES
Biological males should be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Choose not to answer
When I lived in Europe, we never had to worry about this situation as all bathrooms within places of education were single secured rooms, not stalls. Nothing was shared (no dorm rooms, no changing rooms, not even prison space) and that was most secure for all of us.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
My views are my own, passed down from my family and shaped by personal experiences. I am a religious person, I love my faith and I am raising my children to love and live in the same way my parents and grandparents lived. Our choices shape our work ethic, values, and determination, but we don't force our beliefs or choices on others as this violates the tenants of our religion.
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Agree
Until is becomes neglect or abuse, I agree. We have to also consider there are significant cases of neglect and abuse that CANNOT be overlooked and should be addressed immediately by law enforcement.
I support the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., that people should be judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin.
Strongly Agree
Absolutely! My family has experienced discrimination and we have maintained our integrity despite attempts to weaken who we are.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Choose not to answer
There are differences between religious and civil marriages, as well as divorces. Government has the right to determine the definitions and conditions of civil unions, but not religious/spiritual unions as those are left to the clerics of those faiths based on their rules.
Mental health conditions such as anorexia and gender dysphoria need to be treated, not affirmed.
Agree
Treatment is a form of affirmation - it's intertwined. You can only treat what is present or in some cases absent, but must be based on medical need.
School library books that have literary value, as determined by experts, should be exempt from obscenity laws.
Agree
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
To avoid fraud, a government ID should be required.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
Choose not to answer
What political party are you affiliated with?
Did not answer
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to immigration and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Choose not to answer
My views vary based on current events and policies being considered.
2ND AMENDMENT
Faculty who are licensed to carry and have had ongoing training should be allowed to carry guns at school in order to respond to an active shooter situation.
Disagree
I'd prefer this limited to only those with military or LEO background. Being an educator and working with some former students and colleagues who have short fuses, I prefer strict limitations for those in whom I entrust arms on campus. Recently, a former colleague with military background shot and killed their partner, so I firmly believe in ongoing mental health evaluations as well.
