Candidate for
Trustee; Santa Clara Unified School District; Trustee Area 2

Short Bio

I have lived in the Bay Area all my life. I was born in Santa Clara, I went to school in San Jose and I graduated from Santa Clara University. My husband and I have been married for five years and in 2002 he adopted our older daughter. My daughter has attended Santa Clara Unified School District schools all her school life. We are lucky enough to get frequent visits from my stepdaughter.

Why are you running for the school board?

I am running because it was the right thing to do. Our current board has done a tremendous job with the district. I come to the table bringing more diversity, creative problem-solving skills and a strong passion to give students what is best. I have a vested interest in the district not only because I am a resident and I want to build strong school and successful students but because I have a child in the district.

I have a gift for making people comfortable and they tend to share their problems, concerns or issues with me. Whether it is a five-year-old telling me that they do not like hot lunch, a teenager explaining to me that his lunch is too small for too much money, or a elderly woman telling me when we need more programs for kids in the district, I give each person attention and listen carefully. I plan on using this gift to represent my diverse community.

All of these things, in addition my qualifications, make me the best candidate for the job.

Qualifications 2006

• Helped secure donations for the Marilyn Rea Golf Tournament. Sponsored by Santa Clara Unified School District and the Santa Clara Schools Foundation
• Joined Nutrition Committee for SCUSD. Helped create new policies.

• Bracher PTA President

• Joined the Board of the Santa Clara Schools Foundation
• Helped initiate the Annual Campaign for the Santa Clara Schools Foundation
• Produced Santa Clara Schools Foundation and Bracher PTA Websites.
• Created new Bracher PTA policies. We focused on healthy eating, open communication, community building and getting parents involved.

• Received a Bachelor's Degree of Science in Psychology from Santa Clara University
• Awarded Senior Award for Service for outstanding service to the Psychology Department of Santa Clara University.

• Speaker for NCLB panel for Manny Diaz
• Received Public School Week Award for Volunteer Work

• Bracher PTA Vice President

• YWCA Member and Crisis Counselor

• Active PTA Member in children's schools.

"Noelani brings a new creative energy to problem-solving within the Santa Clara Unified School District. I have seen how much she cares about our kids and know she will work very hard and effectively to foster an environment where our students will be even more successful."

Teresa O'Neill, Santa Clara Unified School District Board of Education Member