Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Baldwin Park Unified School District

The education of students is both a challenge and opportunity. We must be concerned with the education of all children, including the culturally diverse and English Language learner. Students deserve efficient stewardship, quality teachers, and a learning friendly environment. With the changing demographics of school districts it is important to remember that education exists for students. All decisions have some form of effect on students. We sometimes look at this as a great challenge, but it is the attention to detail, the small things that make an impact. Mother Teresa said, "You can do no great thing, only small things with great love." It is important to develop proper attitudes about students and how to grow student learning that will lead to proper behavior. I want to be part of a school board that thinks of students first. That believes that all students can experience academic success. I believe students of Baldwin Park have the capacity to succeed, but I also realize there are many factors that contribute to academic success.

C. S. Lewis writes in learning from war time that, "The intellectual life is a road and it may be the appointed road for us." "Learning is a necessary weapon. To be ignorant now would be to throw down our weapons and to betray our uneducated brethren who have no defense but us." Research indicates that a college degree translates into more opportunities and generally greater financial potential. Education can be liberation. Education is power. Education creates dreams. Education helps bring dreams into realities, and education helps people to be productive citizens in our communities. This begins in our elementary schools. I am a product of public education.

I am a long time resident of Baldwin Park and attended Walnut, Olive, and Baldwin Park High Schools. This preparation allowed me to attend and graduate from College giving me the opportunity to greater serve my community. As the director of liberal studies at Azusa Pacific I:

• appoint faculty
• design curriculum
• advise aspiring student teachers
• develop and implement budgets
• evaluate faculty These professional experiences enable me to be a leader on the School Board.

My wife and I are raising four children who all attend public schools. We value the quality teachers and education they experience. I want to continue as a Board Member serving the students of this great District. I believe all students deserve a quality, enriched experience in school. I am committed to pursue goals that will help all Baldwin Park students' become productive citizens.