Candidate for
Board Member; San Carlos School District

As an enthusiastic parent of San Carlos elementary school children my goal is to make sure that all of our schools continue to develop well-rounded learners who are prepared to contribute in the 21st century.

I have spent almost two decades working to improve public education in California. I taught middle school and high school English in public schools where the students were predominantly from low-income immigrant families. I helped start a high school from scratch where I was responsible for curriculum development, teacher hiring, parent outreach and managing student discipline. Since earning my PhD in Education Policy, I have led research studies that evaluate state and federal education policies and programs and have worked with California superintendents on key education policy issues including the Local Control Funding Formula, the Common Core State Standards, Transitional Kindergarten, and the NCLB Waiver process. Much of this work has focused on understanding how school districts and charter schools nationwide successfully implement new programs and change administrator and teacher practices.

I will bring this passion and professional expertise to the San Carlos School District Governing Board. The District is entering an exciting time. Our current leaders and board members have worked hard to develop a compelling strategic plan that focuses on the whole child and sets ambitious goals for incorporating technology and innovative models of instruction. We've also taken on the challenge of restructuring and rebuilding our schools.

As your board trustee I will help bring this vision to life in a thoughtful, responsible manner. I understand that changing teaching and learning is difficult work and that it takes time for parents, teachers and students to adapt and thrive. That is why I will support training teachers and school leaders to feel confident using new curricula, instructional strategies and technology; Improving communication between districts, schools and our community; Securing the long-term financial stability of our district; and adopting innovative curricula and instruction that encourages the smart application of technology, personalized learning and social and emotional growth for all students.