I ran for school board originally to create transparency and access for our district. I wanted to be the kind of school board member that speaks to all stakeholders. I wanted to be a strong voice and advocate on the board. Since being elected in 2020, I have done all those things and more.
One of my first acts as a board member was to request that our board meetings be more accessible. We switched to one-click access to live streaming meetings as well as video archives of meetings rather than just audio. People have the right to participate in our meetings, whether or not they are able to attend.
In January of 2021, I became the first school board member in CVESD history to host Office Hours, and I have hosted them every month since. Members of the community, parents, and employees of the district have all had an opportunity to speak to me about their thoughts and their needs. I have been able to assist countless people. Especially during tumultuous times around COVID and school safety, these meetings became a great opportunity to engage directly, answer questions, and ease fear in our community.
I meet with parents from all different backgrounds and all different points of view. But the place I always start from is what we have in common- that we both care deeply about their child and we want them to be the greatest versions of themselves. One of the best metrics for student success is a strong partnership between home and school. I enjoy working together to make our district better every day.
Chula Vista Elementary School District is the largest elementary-only
district in the state of California. As such, it can be difficult to recognize the uniqueness of each of our locations. I have visited every one of our nearly 50 school sites (including our dependent charters), toured the campuses, met with the principals, staff, and parents, and really gotten to know the community and culture of every school in our district. Having this deeper understanding of our schools has helped me be a more effective leader.
I am a strong voice on our school board on behalf of all our stakeholders, including students, parents, teachers, staff, administrators, and community members. I have developed a reputation for asking tough questions, following up, and digging into data. As a parent of a child in the district, I know firsthand how the work of the Board directly affects our communities. My decisions are student-centered and I keep their success as my highest priority.
I have built trust in our community through transparency and access, and I will continue to be a strong advocate for the needs of all of our children.
