Candidate for
Governing Board Member; San Luis Coastal Unified School District; Trustee Area 2

Jim Quesenberry's Biography

I was born in Charleston, South Carolina, the fourth of eight children. I grew up and attended Catholic grammar and high school in Los Angeles. After graduating from Loyola High School, I attended Santa Monica City College before earning my Bachelor of Arts degree from UC Santa Barbara in 1972.

During my undergraduate years, I worked as an instructional aide at the Child Development Center/Alpha School in Goleta and at Lennox High School. While attending Loyola Marymount University for my teaching credential, I was an instructional aide at Lennox High School and Recreation Leader for the City of Redondo Beach. From 1974 to 1977, I taught English, Reading and ESL in the Bilingual Program at Sierra Vista High School. I also coached football. On Saturday's and during the summer, I instructed at the Foundation for the Junior Blind in Los Angeles. From 1977 to 1988, I taught English, History, Reading, ESL, and Math in the Centinela Valley Union High School District. I also coached football and varsity wrestling at Lennox and Leuzinger High Schools. In the summers, I was a Red Cross certified lifeguard and swimming instructor. From 1988 to 2010, I taught English, ESL and Social Studies at Morro Bay High School and Los Osos Middle School. I have coached JV football and Varsity Wrestling at MBHS. In addition to a BA in English and Standard Secondary Credential, I hold a Bilingual Certificate of Competence in Spanish. Finally, I have been a fellow of the UCLA Writing Project and the Central Coast Literacy Project.

My professional experience is widely varied. I have taught at middle school, comprehensive and continuation high schools and Adult Citizenship classes. I have worked with visually challenged children and special needs students. I have conducted bilingual classes and instructed English language learners. I have coached a variety of sports + football, wrestling, and softball. As you can see, most of my adult life has been devoted to children and their intellectual development and physical wellbeing.

On behalf of teachers, I've served as the president of two local associations, bargaining chair, grievance representative and treasurer. I have worked cooperatively with administrators in two school districts by serving on a superintendent's budget committee, mentor teacher and principal selection panels, Peer Assistance and Review committees, and site management team.

I am married to my patient and lovely wife, Linda. We have two daughters and two sons. All of whom have attended and graduated from San Luis Coastal USD schools. We have three active and bright grandchildren who attend public schools in Southern California.

I am currently retired and running for the San Luis Coastal USD because I want to continue my service to children, their education and the community.