Lemoore Union Elementary School DistrictCandidate for Governing Board Member, Trustee Area 5

The Central Valley is where I grew up and raised my family. When I was in high school I was made to feel that I wasn't good enough for college. Luckily, a friend convinced me otherwise and I graduated with honors from Stanislaus State. A Spanish television station in Modesto allowed me to work and pay for school at the same time. For nearly two years, I lived in four countries of Central America hoping to improve the lives of those with whom I came in contact. This afforded me the opportunity to learn Spanish. I became a school teacher for two reasons: I liked learning about everything and I liked children. My first job was teaching Kindergarten in Dinuba for six years, then on to Huron and then Coalinga for a total of 37 years in grades TK to 4th. Some of my former students have become teachers themselves. In fact, I had the opportunity to collaborate with one of them after she graduated with a teaching credential. She says that I was the one who taught her English. I have worked with students from diverse socio-economic levels, religions, and cultures which in the end has enriched my life.

Sometimes I wish politicians would leave education to educators. However, our students, faculty, and institutions need some protection with good laws written along with appropriate funding. With school boards, we advocate for those things from our legislators.