Candidate for
Board Member; Temecula Valley Unified School District

My husband, Terry, and I have one child, a daughter, Samantha (Sami). She is currently a junior, enrolled in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme at Great Oak High School. When she started Kindergarten, we resided in Greensboro, North Carolina. I wanted to be involved at the school, so I joined the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). The PTA is a non-profit volunteer organization committed to the well being of all children. This quickly led to volunteer work in the media center, at the book fairs, in the classroom, as well as implementing and administering the Accelerated Reader Program. During my four years there I was also the PTA Volunteer Coordinator for the school and Vice President in charge of Programs.

We moved to Temecula in 1999. Sam was entering fourth grade and attending the district's newest school, Helen Hunt Jackson Elementary. Again, I wanted to be involved, so I joined the PTA. During my two years at JES, I was the Volunteer Coordinator, Room Mom, Blood Drive Coordinator, Book Fair Chairman, Red Ribbon Week Coordinator, Programs Vice President and a classroom assistant. I was instrumental in securing an Accelerated Reader Program for the school. I also implemented the first outdoor Family Movie Nights and coordinated at least a program a month for a year. In January 2000 I started working as a substitute teacher for the Temecula Valley Unified School District. I didn't have time for a full time job.

Inspired by my success and the smoothly run PTA at JES, I became involved with the PTSA at Vail Ranch Middle School, holding the position of Recording Secretary. It was an experience like no other. There was no unity, no harmony, no direction, and no rules. In December 2001, the Unit received a letter from the Temecula Valley Council of PTAs informing them that they were no longer a Unit in good standing. After many struggles, officer training, and my leadership, the Unit was back on track, with me as the PTSA President in 2003.

In 2001/2002 I also taught a sixth grade Religious Education class at St. Martha's Catholic Church in Murrieta.

I was appointed to a two year term as Parliamentarian for the Temecula Valley Council of PTAs in 2003. I have read and corrected every Unit's revised bylaws, which in turn were all approved by the California State PTA Parliamentarian on the first submission.

In the spring of 2004 I spearheaded the chartering of the Great Oak High School PTSA and was elected the GOHS PTSA President for the 2004/2005 term. As President I worked diligently at the school, helping every Chairperson with their respective committee, from manning the book fair, to soliciting donations from area businesses for the Reflections Program and the Silent Auction, to watching teachers' classes while they were donating blood, to promoting fund raisers by sticking flyers on car windshields, to baking or buying food for the monthly Staff Appreciation Breakfasts, to tearing down, cleaning up, and setting up the auditorium for an event, and assisting in the Student Store.

In July 2004 I was appointed to a one year term as the Twenty-third District PTA Parliamentarian. I edited Council and Unit bylaws from PTAs throughout Riverside County, which included over 240 schools. I traveled to various PTA Councils and Units providing free Parliamentary training. I was responsible for finding the answers to the difficult questions.

I am currently the 2005/2007 President of the Temecula Valley Council of PTAs. I'm responsible for twenty five PTA/PTSA Units: their training, dissemination of information to them in a timely manner, securing paperwork from them required by State, and offering them positive support and advice. During my term I have implemented the use of unit liaisons. Council Officers maintain monthly contact with the Unit Presidents and attend their Unit meetings, to ensure that proper procedures are being followed. I was also instrumental in the creation of the TVC PTA web site at http://tvcpta.org. This past year, TVC PTA was honored, by Twenty-third District PTA, with the Gold Award for Excellence, over ten other councils. We also achieved a record high of over 12,000 members.

I am also serving my second term as the Twenty-third District PTA Insurance Commissioner. I am responsible for collecting the insurance premiums and Workers Compensation Annual Payroll Reports from over 250 units and submitting them to California State PTA before their deadline. I am also the contact to answer insurance related questions.

Besides educating others, I have had the opportunity to learn myself, through my recent attendance at the Second and Third Annual RCOE Education Summits, multiple California State PTA Conventions, and a variety of seminars.

As a PTA leader for the last twelve years, I have worked diligently as an advocate for children. I believe that every adult has a responsibility to ensure that all children develop to their full potential. I have been a leader, a teacher, a parent and a tireless volunteer. Through these varying roles, I have a lot of experience dealing with conflict resolution, decision-making, policy research, rule following and listening.

Last year was a difficult year for the TVUSD. There was an erosion of trust as a result of a bitter contract dispute. It is imperative that the board, administrators, teachers and parents become a team. I have a proven track record of working well with people and opening the lines of communication. I want to expand my involvement in our local education system. As a substitute teacher in the district I have a unique perspective into the situations at the school sites. I have the time and desire to do the job, so that our goals may be accomplished, taking the district from good to great.

Resume of SUSAN ELLIOTT

45482 Callesito Altar Temecula, CA 92592 Home #: (951) 303-1601, Cell #: (951) 375-2503 susanelliottpta@adelphia.net

QUALIFICATIONS: Communicates effectively with people on all levels. Strong leadership, decision-making, negotiating, and sales abilities. Organized and persuasive.

EMPLOYMENT 12/99 - Present

TEMECULA VALLEY USD
Temecula, CA
Substitute Teacher

1995 - 1999 PART-TIME POSITIONS in Greensboro,NC and North Andover,MA

Bonnie Bell Cosmetics Sales Rep
Insurance Sales Secretary
Mystery Shopper
Jenny Craig Weight Management Consultant

4/90 - 8/90

COMPUTER DYNAMICS INC.
Southfield, MI
Technical Recruiter

10/87 - 1/90

GLOBAL DYNAMICS, INC.,
Walnut Creek, CA
Executive Recruiter/Account Exec

8/86 - 10/87

GENERAL EMPLOYMENT
Walnut Creek, CA
Employment Consultant

3/83 - 6/86

AETNA CASUALTY AND SURETY
Walnut Creek, CA
Senior Commercial Account Representative (1/85 - 6/86)

Senior Claims Adjuster (3/83 - 1/85) Specialization in the settlement negotiation of complex litigated product related health claim cases before State and Federal Judges. Evaluate medical records. Research medical and legal issues.

8/80 - 3/83

WAUSAU INSURANCE COMPANIES
San Francisco, CA
Field Claims Adjuster

EDUCATION: University of Vermont

Burlington, VT
B.A. Communications, 1980