Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Rowland Unified School District

Passionate About Education

For many years, Dr. Kimo Morris has been an active member of the Rowland Unified School District and the surrounding community. He has donated countless hours to our local schools, talking directly with our children on issues of science, critical thinking, and career goals. His presentations have inspired many students from pre-K through high school within RUSD. In addition, Kimo has participated on many RUSD committees, including the Strategic Planning task force, whose hard work now guides the principles of education within our district. Kimo is currently the PTA president and member of the school site council of Blandford School, where his daughter attends the 4th grade.

Kimo grew up in the City of Torrance, where he was always fascinated with the natural world. This was expressed in his love of surfing and scuba diving through high school, and ultimately led him to the University of California at Santa Barbara, where he sought a career in marine biology. Kimo excelled at UCSB where, in addition to his studies, he participated in cutting edge research that ultimately resulted in a landmark publication in a scientific journal, a rare undergraduate achievement. Kimo continued his development as a scientist while at Oregon State University, where he received his Masters degree in Entomology, and at UCLA, where he earned his Ph.D in Biological Oceanography. It was during his graduate years, that Kimo discovered his talent as an educator. Even though Kimo's research was well funded by competitive grants and fellowships, he petitioned on numerous occasions to temporarily suspend his funding so he could teach classes.

While teaching sciences is Kimo's first love, it was not his first career. For 12 years, Kimo worked as a coastal environmental consultant, where he was engaged with clients on complex issues of emerging environmental concern. As a consultant, Kimo grew as a project manager, overseeing projects valued in the millions and supervising a team of scientists and technicians. However, as Kimo's career as a consultant excelled, he longed to return to his passion as an educator. When the opportunity arose to teach weekend classes at nearby Fullerton College, Kimo jumped at the opportunity. Over the course of a year, Kimo transitioned into a new roll as a full-time teacher. In May 2008, Kimo founded Ecomarine Consulting LLC so he could continue to provide environmental consulting services to industry, local municipalities, and other consultants while teaching at our local colleges.

At present, Kimo is an Adjunct Professor of Biology at Mt. San Antonio College and Cypress College, and an Adjunct Professor of Earth Sciences at Fullerton College. He continues to receive outstanding reviews from colleagues and students who appreciate Kimo's obvious and infectious love of science, and his exceptional ability to make his classes interesting, fun, and intellectually accessible. Kimo's background in applied sciences provides a clear advantage in connecting with his students. He brings a sense of realism and relevance to the classroom, where students feel as though their learning is taking place outside the textbook.

Over the years, Kimo has taken his talent in the college classroom into the RUSD classroom as well. On a completely volunteer basis, Kimo has joined forces with RUSD teachers to help inspire their students. Whether the topic is insect diversity, water conservation, or biosonar (at the elementary level), career advice in science (at the middle school level), or human environmental impacts and ecology (at the high school level), Kimo is able to captivate students and raise their curiosity in the subject matter.

As an RUSD School Board Member, Kimo intends to keep that same high level of enthusiasm and vigor. All school districts in California are being severely affected by the economic recession. RUSD has a history of being a great district. The question remains, how will we move forward with fewer financial resources and ensure that our district remains great.

Family Matters!

At the heart of every school district are families. Kimo believes very deeply in the importance of families as willing partners working together with teachers and administrators towards a common goal. This is the main motivating force that is driving the "Kimo 4 RUSD" campaign. Over the past several years, Kimo has come to know many parents and their children in the district. In light of the budget challenges we face in the ensuing years, Kimo has vowed to live up to the expectations of fellow parents. Kimo will also challenge fellow parents to remain active in the community. It is well known that students have a greater chance of success when their parents take an active role in their children's education.

The outstanding reputation that RUSD enjoys is well deserved. It has taken many decades to earn that reputation. Kimo's wife April graduated from Rowland High School, as did his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, and the entire family is proud to be a part of RUSD's illustrious history. After brief periods of residency in Diamond Bar and Hacienda Heights, it was only natural that Kimo and April return to raise their daughter Jade within the RUSD jurisdiction!

And now years later, Kimo and April know they made the right decision, and are proud to be active parents in our community. Some of their closest friends were met through school functions and RUSD fundraisers.

Community Matters!

Despite a busy schedule, Kimo has always found time to be involved in community affairs. Prior to living in Rowland Heights, Kimo and his family were residents of the Shadow Oak Villas III condominium complex next to Giano Intermediate School. Kimo served two terms as the president of the SOV III Home Owners Association, and helped usher in an era of good fiscal management, prosperity, and community responsibility. Along with a handful of fellow residents, Kimo set out to build a stronger sense of community among the SOV III residents by forming a community watch program, holding common area cookouts, safe Halloween events for the kids, common area garage sales, and "painting beautification" events.

Recently, Kimo has become increasingly involved in his home community of Rowland Heights where he advocates for more independence, local control of tax revenue and a greater say in development and zoning issues in our neighborhoods. Kimo is also a staunch advocate for protecting the few wildlife corridors still existing south of Rowland Heights. Kimo's family has lived in Rowland Heights for almost 50 years, and he therefore strongly embraces the history of our community. Often you will see Kimo jogging the trails adjacent to Pathfinder Rd - if you see him, be sure to honk, smile and wave!