MEET
Dr. Linda Winikoff
Dr. Linda Winikoff is an educator, advocate, and lifelong public servant who believes every child in Winston-Salem deserves access to high-quality education—no matter their background, neighborhood, or family income.
For decades, Dr. Winikoff has worked inside classrooms and alongside families, gaining firsthand experience with the challenges facing our schools. Her career has been shaped by real students, real communities, and real solutions.
She brings a deep understanding of education, a proven record of leadership, and an unwavering commitment to equity and opportunity for all.
EXPERIENCE THAT MATTERS
Dr. Winikoff holds a Ph.D. and Master of Education from the University of Pittsburgh and a bachelor’s degree from Duke University. She has spent her career teaching in public schools and university laboratory settings, working directly with students across a wide range of learning environments.
One of the most impactful chapters of her career was teaching for 14 years in a public school where nearly all students qualified for free or reduced lunch. That experience gave her a clear understanding of how poverty, access to resources, and policy decisions affect student outcomes—and why one-size-fits-all approaches don’t work.
LEADERSHIP & COMMUNITY SERVICE
Dr. Winikoff is deeply engaged in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, serving in leadership roles that reflect her commitment to both education and civic engagement.
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Former Director, Old Town Community Freedom School,
leading a Children’s Defense Fund program that provides high-quality summer literacy learning and enrichment for K–5 students. -
Consultant for Enrichment and Opportunity, Winston-Salem Freedom Schools, securing grants for enrichment funding.
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Secretary, Forsyth County Democratic Women, serving on the Executive Board and supporting grassroots civic engagement.
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Former Member, Forsyth County Digital Equity Steering Committee, working to close the digital divide so students and families have access to technology and connectivity.
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Former Board Member, Love Literacy, representing the effectiveness of their work in a program video.
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Board Member, The Royal Curtain Drama Guild, promoting the arts in underrepresented communities.
Dr. Winikoff is a respected voice in the community, and will be a voice that serves the school system well.
A VISION FOR FAIR AND EFFECTIVE SCHOOLS
Dr. Winikoff believes that strong schools are built by understanding the full picture of students’ lives—not just test scores.
She is a strong advocate for using Opportunity Index measures that account for factors such as generational poverty, access to high-quality summer programs, and reliable internet access. These data points tell the real story of what schools and students need to succeed.
Her approach is practical, compassionate, and data-informed—focused on addressing root causes, not just symptoms.
Our community deserves leadership that listens, understands, and acts. She believes public education should be a bridge to opportunity—not a barrier—and that policy decisions must reflect the realities families face every day.
Her campaign is grounded in one core belief: when we invest in equity, literacy, and opportunity, we invest in the future of our entire community.