Mateo Dunne

Mateo Dunne is running to represent the Mount Vernon District on the Fairfax County School Board.

• Mateo was endorsed by the Fairfax County Democratic Committee following a competitive caucus in which he received over 70 percent of the votes.

• He is the only candidate in the Mount Vernon District who is "Teacher Endorsed" -- he was endorsed by the Fairfax Education Association, which represents educators and staff in Fairfax County Public Schools.

 

Mateo moved to Fairfax County 20 years ago so his children could attend the best public schools. He is an attorney, entrepreneur, PTA dad, soccer coach, and Sunday School teacher. ​​

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Mateo is a leading advocate for public education who was recognized as "Mount Vernon District Community Champion" in 2018.

• Since 2015, Mateo has testified before the School Board, the Board of Supervisors, and the Virginia Board of Education on multiple occasions to advocate for students, families, and educators. Most recently, he testified before the Virginia Board of Education in opposition to Governor Youngkin's revisionist History & Social Science Standards of Learning, which minimized the historical achievements and contributions of African Americans, Asian Americans, Indigenous Americans, and women.  

• From 2015 to 2016, Mateo led a coalition of advocacy groups, teachers unions, and PTAs to prevent the elimination of high school sports, performing arts, and language immersion. He organized dozens of speakers at public hearings, hundreds of emails and letters, and a 500-person rally at the Fairfax County Government Center. As a result of his efforts, the Board of Supervisors allocated $88 million to save these essential programs from elimination.

• In 2017, Mateo led the campaign in the Mount Vernon District to diversify revenue sources for FCPS, so the county could reduce its reliance on property taxes for school funding.

• From 2017 to 2021, Mateo led multiple School Bond campaigns to fund the renovation of public schools in the Mount Vernon District. 

• From 2018 to 2020, Mateo served as Vice President of Advocacy for the Fairfax County Council of PTAs. He consistently advocated at the state and local levels for increased funding and resources to ensure every child receives a world-class education.

  • He organized an Advocacy Night to enable direct engagement between parents and elected officials.

  • He conducted an unprecedented survey of thousands of parents across Fairfax County, which revealed universal support for reducing class sizes and increasing teacher pay.

  • He played a leading role in defining the proper roles and responsibilities of School Resource Officers. 

• From 2018 to 2022, Mateo served as Chair of the Design & Construction Committee for the renovation of West Potomac HS, which eliminated 18 trailers and enhanced campus security.

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Mateo values education.

• He comes from a family of educators: his grandmother, mother, sister, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law are teachers, and his wife is the director of a local preschool.

• He completed coursework at three community colleges (to include Northern Virginia Community College) and four universities. He received a B.A. summa cum laude, M.A., J.D., and M.S. with Distinction. 

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Mateo understands the transformative power of education.

• During his senior year in high school, his father was diagnosed with terminal cancer. His family struggled after his father's death, but through hard work and student loans, he graduated from Emory University and attended law school at Georgetown University. 

• His wife's parents emigrated from Cuba in the 1960s to escape Communist oppression. Although they had little formal education, their daughters attended college and realized the American Dream.

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Mateo is a community leader.

• Mateo coached hundreds of children in soccer.

• Mateo taught dozens of 5th and 6th Graders in religious education.

• Since 2021, Mateo has served as Vice President for the Stratford Landing Citizens Association.

• For three years, Mateo served as 1st Vice President for the Fairfax Federation of Citizens Associations.