I am an outcome-oriented nonprofit executive, former public-school teacher, longtime community volunteer, and parent of a child in our public schools. On a school board with no other trustees with kids in our schools, I will elevate and amplify the voices of students and families. As we emerge from the pandemic, I bring the real-world experience to make the impactful decisions our district needs now. 

I believe in the limitless potential of every child and will ensure all students receive a high-quality education that includes social-emotional, experiential learning, and the arts, and extends beyond the classroom with support services and meaningful after-school and summer learning opportunities. 

My career started as a teacher in high-poverty schools. I then developed and launched a statewide school fitness program, anti-hunger initiative and leadership program high schoolers.

I designed and secured funding for kindergarten-readiness, and achievement gap prevention projects that support local families. I was chief philanthropy officer at Jewish Family Service where I shaped strategy and managed large teams that generated $28 million annually to improve outcomes for children and families. 

I am a fourth-generation district graduate. My daughter attends our neighborhood school, where I have spent years working with parents and educators to strengthen our school and boost enrollment. 

I am vice chair of the California Children and Families Commission, was chair and serve on San Diego’s Human Relations Commission, was president of and serve on Franklin Elementary School’s foundation, serve on the District Advisory Council and my School Site Council, and served on the Superintendent Search Committee and Kearny High School’s Advisory Board. 

I am endorsed by Rep. Sara Jacobs, former Rep. Susan Davis, Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins, Assemblymember Chris Ward, San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, San Diego City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera, San Diego City Councilmember Raul Campillo, the Administrators Association of San Diego City Schools and 7,000 district educators. 

Godwin Higa was born and raised on a farm in Kaneohe, Hawaii and moved to San Diego 36 years ago. He retired in 2017 as principal after creating the first Trauma Informed School in San Diego,   Cherokee Point Elementary School in the Mid-City area of San Diego.  Cherokee Point Elementary School has been recognized by the Huffington Post/CA Endowment foundation as one of the few successful Trauma Informed/Responsive Schools in the nation. 

Higa’s proven outstanding leadership, teaching experiences and compassion working with students allows him the highest qualifications to serve on the prestigious SDUSD Board. Godwin’s priority is “Students First!”v

Higa became a principal after being promoted at Dingeman Elementary School. His proven record as a principal with San Diego Unified School District extends for 20 years serving Elementary  and Secondary Schools. 

Why a trauma-informed, restorative justice school?  The CDC reports that the 3^rd highest suicide rate in the United States is from our students ages 10-24, and a trauma-informed/restorative justice schools would address this major crisis. Godwin in fact did better than this at Cherokee Point Elementary School with zero suspensions and expulsions for three years up until his retirement.

He believes that in order for students to accelerate their education capabilities, it is the responsibility   of all schools to create the right conditions for learning. It is the responsibility of all educators to ensure a positive environment conducive to learning. It took hard work and commitment from the entire staff of teachers, support staff, parents, and the community to create a trauma -informed and restorative justice school. The key was to learn and understand the brain research on the effects of trauma that all students, teachers, and parents experience, and to provide resources to assist them. The training of all staff, parents and the community involved focusing on the ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences study) developed here in San Diego by the Kaiser Permanente.  (For more information go to acestoohigh.com.)

Godwin Higa has dedicated his life as an educator and leader to promote equity and equal access  to education for all students.

Higa believes in all democratice vaules and a lifetime democrate and a progressive activist for educational reform1 We must stop the school to prison pipeline, create positive learning environment for learning and promote civic eduation. Godwin was actively involved in creating schools with a true sense of community following the democratic vaules and lifestyles and has been successful in promoting education reform throughout California, Oregon, and Hawaii. With his 25 years in education and administration for SDUSD, he has proven to be a dedicated, compassionate, and an overwhelmingly qualified candidate for District B.