About Cerssandra

Cerssandra McPherson was born and raised in Toledo and is a product of Toledo Public Schools and the University of Toledo. Cerssandra was appointed to the Toledo City Council as an At-Large member in September 2020 by Judge Jack Puffenberger and elected to retain her seat in November 2021. 

Prior to serving on Toledo City Council, she worked as a special education paraprofessional for 32 years in Toledo Public Schools - most recently at Scott High School. As a paraprofessional, she has spent her career ensuring that children get their needs met in schools and learn skills that will help them thrive in the least restrictive environment possible. 

In addition to her work in the classroom, Cerssandra is a member of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) and Toledo Federation of Teachers (TFT). As a member of the CBTU, she serves as a Paraprofessional Grievance Representative. In her work with TFT, she participated in negotiations that yielded a three-year contract with Toledo Public Schools and secured an 87% wage increase for her fellow teachers. Through her experiences, Cerssandra has learned that communication is the key to connection. 

Cerssandra is a leader in the local faith community and attends Braden United Methodist Church where she serves as a guest minister and leads the “Parents Night Out, Kids Night In” program which provides kids with a safe environment to play while giving parents time for each other.