I am proud of my association with the San Juan District. It has been a district of excellence. How can we maintain this quality of excellence for all students in the years to come?
The San Juan Schools have a tradition of excellence. I am proud to be a product of that excellent tradition. I graduated from Fair Oaks Elementary, continued on to San Juan High School, and graduated from there. I am proud to have been a parent of a San Juan student. My son Scott got a great education when he went to Fair Oaks Elementary, Carnegie Middle School, and Bella Vista High School. He was well prepared for college and is today a success in his field. His children attended San Juan Schools. But what I am most proud of is the 37 years I spent teaching in the San Juan District. My teaching career began at Citrus Heights Elementary School where I taught 4th through 6th grade. I moved to Andrew Carnegie where I taught science and math for 28 years and I was fortunate to be able to return to my alma mater San Juan High School where I taught freshman science.
I have been a student of learning and educational practices for my entire teaching career. I have been San Juan's Teacher of the Year, mentor teacher, and worked for science and math achievement through CSUS and the California Science Teachers Organizations. My teaching career has included teaching of teachers at CSUS, for the district, and for the State of California. Few school board members bring my educational expertise to the office.
I believe that the main function of a school district is to make sure every child is in a safe and healthy classroom with all the tools that help that child learn and achieve. It is the children of the district who earn the money for the school district. I want that money at school sites in the classroom, funding student learning. As a teacher. I was described as creative and resourceful. I think this school board must be creative and resourceful in order the make sure funds are allocated to the classroom and schools first.
The district is facing declining enrollment, which means less money for this district. Again the school board will need to be creative and resourceful in meeting this challenge. I would like to see school staff, teachers, principals, and parents empowered to make decisions about situations unique to their school. New block grant money should make funneling of money directly to school sites easier.
In the last five to ten years, there has been a narrowing of curriculum. Vocational education classes and living skills classes have been reduced and eliminated. The Fine Arts program continues to be cut even though there is a high positive correlation between the fine arts and student achievement. Students need their lives enriched and their horizons broadened. After graduation our children will go in many different directions with their life choices. They need to be prepared for all eventualities, not just a four-year liberal arts college program.
Education has been my profession, my hobby, and my area of research. Although I am retired from the classroom, I am still passionate about learning, what it takes to be a successful learner, and how humans consolidate new knowledge. I have been fortunate to be associated with and serve the San Juan district for 60 years. I would like to give back my educational expertise by serving the district in the capacity of a board member. We need to continue the San Juan tradition of excellence. I would appreciate your consideration when you mark your ballot.
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