WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR SCHOOL BOARD?
I am running for school board because I want to continue supporting all students to be successful, safe, and happy. As an educator and as a community advocate, I have always worked towards creating a high performing learning environment that provides equity and for all students. Every student is unique and has amazing individual potential. We need to provide opportunities that embrace students in different ways so they can discover their own talents. I believe that for each individual student to succeed, we must provide each student with what they need, when they need it. As a life-long educator, retired teacher, community advocate, and parent, I am running for re-election because I believe in the potential of our students, and I want to continue serving the amazing Chula Vista Elementary School District to ensure we continue serving our students by providing the best educational opportunities.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE PRIORITIES IF ELECTED?
My top three priorities are providing a safe physical and emotional learning environment for all students, continue to offer rigorous academic opportunities, and fiscal accountability. School safety has always been a priority, but with the health and safety issues our nation has been facing we must keep safety at the forefront of our minds. I will continue to support a variety of methods such as SRO’s, security cameras and other systems that keep students and adults safe on campus. Working with our counselors, psychologists, and social workers we develop many ways to support our students socially, emotionally, and mentally. Our dual language program is stellar. It is well known and duplicated across the state. Research shows that many students that are not reading at grade level by third grade are not successful. I want our district to continue to look at our data and best practices. Then we must make changes based on that information so that we can reach the goal of literacy and bi-literacy by third grade. Fiscal responsibility is important for providing outstanding, stable programs for students. During my tenure on the School Board, we have modernized schools, built two new schools with another coming soon, expanded educational programs, provided raises for teachers and staff, hired additional employees all while being transparent and maintaining more than the minimum state required reserve.
WITH STUDIES SHOWING STUDENTS ARE BEHIND DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON THE POLICY LEVEL IN ENSURING STUDENTS BEHIND ARE ABLE TO CATCH UP?
I will help students advance by voting for policies that maintain supports for students thatare not yet at grade level. Policies that require specific training for teachers and aides will also assist students. I believe that it is not just the policies that will help the students that are behind to catch up. We must fund the changes and ensure that we are investing our resources in the classroom. I have advocated and voted to ensure our funds are used to provide academic and socio-emotional support to students. I have voted to increase the number of counselors, impact teachers, psychologists by record numbers. In addition, I voted and will continue to advocate for smaller class sizes and individualize support for students.
ARE YOU A PROPONENT OF ARMED TEACHERS IN CLASSROOMS AS A WAY OF ADDRESSING SCHOOL SAFETY FOR STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND STAFF?
I oppose having armed teachers in classrooms. There are several other methods for addressing school safety. CVESD already uses many of them like having closed campus. I have advocated to install surveillance camera systems at all sites, hired an outside security agency to do a safety audit of all our schools, and ensure that principals have a rigorous safety plan. In addition, I will continue to ensure all schools are conducting ongoing drills and that principals are actively engaged in the safety monitoring of their sites. Finally, I fully support our strong partnership with Chula Vista Police Department and will continue to vote to have them work with us as partners in supporting the safety of our students.
HOW CAN THE DISTRICT SUPPORT HOMELESS STUDENTS?
I will continue to support the work the CVESD has done to support our homeless students. We have hired counselors and social workers to provide resources to our homeless and foster youth and we monitor students to ensure they are being provided with the right support systems. In addition, CVESD has strong partnerships with outside organizations that support homeless families from providing temporary housing and health screening to helping with food insecurities.
UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES IS IT APPROPRIATE TO BAN BOOKS FROM SCHOOL CLASSROOMS AND LIBRARIES?
CVESD goes through a rigorous process to ensure that all adopted textbooks are aligned to the California Standards and support teaching and learning. This is a TK – 6 school district and as such, care must be taken to ensure that age-appropriate books are available, and that content is within the standards dictated by the county and state. The principals, librarians and teachers consider this when ordering books.
WHAT PAST BOARD EFFORTS WOULD YOU AMPLIFY OR GROW, AND ARE THERE ANY WHICH YOU WOULD PHASE OUT?
There are three programs that I am very proud of and want to expand: Bilingual Education, Visual and Performing Arts and the Innovation Stations. The Dual Immersion program found at many of our schools is excellent. When students have completed the program, they are fluent in English and Spanish. What a gift! Students have gained so much from the Visual & Performing Arts program. They have become more confident, poised, and engaged in school. Students have learned about music and art. They have also learned through music and art about history, science, and the world. Our Innovation Stations which include the Innovation Station, Hydro Station, Energy Station, and Health Station are exemplar. Other districts around the state are interested in creating a similar program for their students and they continuously visit our stations to learn more from us. These stations encourage students to imagine the possibilities in their futures. They are exposed to careers in many different fields. They learn what it takes to reach that goal. This program is still growing. A new Sound Station and Port Station are being created. It is only because of the wonderful partnerships that have been developed that we are able to provide these experiences for our students.
DO YOU SEE ANY INEQUITIES IN YOUR DISTRICT WITH STUDENTS UNABLE TO HAVE EQUIPMENT, AP CLASSES AND OTHER PROGRAMS THAN OTHER PARTS OF THE DISTRICT? HOW WOULD YOU ADDRESS THESE INEQUITIES?
Equity is very important to me. The ability of all students to access programs and opportunities is essential for them to develop their own potential. I have always been a strong advocate to provide what is needed at each school for every student to achieve success, regardless of the location of the school. Every school is provided with necessary items like books, supplies and computers. Each school receives money to fund their programs and is supported by district-wide initiatives that cover academic and VAPA programs. The parents, through School Site Council help decide what is best for their school. This is why it sometimes appears that one school has more than another. Really, they just have different priorities. The state provides additional funding for specific students; second language, low income, homeless students, and foster youth.
DO YOU BELIEVE GENDER IDENTITY SHOULD BE TAUGHT IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AT AN AGE-APPROPRIATE LEVEL AND WHY?
I believe that we need to provide learning environments where each student feels valued, respected, and affirmed. Understanding that there are differences among people is important. Learning about such differences in an age-appropriate level and recognizing students as individuals is important. Students live in a world where they see people who identify in different ways. Ignoring it does not make it disappear. I have found that young children are accepting of others when they understand that people have similar dreams and hopes. My goal will continue to be ensuring the physical and emotional safety of every child and having conversations that promote respect and understanding and stops bullying and harassment. Students thrive when they feel safe, embraced, and valued.
WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES THE CVESD DISTRICT YOU WOULD SERVE SPECIAL TO YOU, AND WHY?
CVESD is the largest and best TK-6 district in California. I have a long history in CVESD and the city of Chula Vista. I am a life-long resident of Chula Vista, and I attended Greg Rogers as a student. My children went to Rosebank, and they grew up in our city. When I became a teacher, I only applied at CVESD because of the love for the district and my commitment to my community. I was a bilingual teacher at Harborside and Loma Verde for 26 years. I have been on the board for 8 years. I am very proud to be a part of the history of excellence in this district. I am committed to Chula Vista Elementary School District, and I want to continue supporting the amazing work CVESD has done for generations.
