Trustee, Trustee Area 5 — La Mesa Spring Valley Elementary School District

As a parent, one of my biggest concerns is the current educational situation, as a result of COVID-19, and the associated challenges of distance learning. While electronic capacity—Wi-Fi, tablets, computers, etc. may work for some children, the lack of having a physical infrastructure, or a ‘safe space’, and abbreviated instruction, may have long term implications once these children do return to school. It would prudent for the school board to have a plan in place for returning students to be evaluated, and brought back up to speed, educationally and socially—apart from necessary safeguards—facemasks, pods, social distancing, etc., that will need to be implemented as a result of COVID-19. In addition, as a UCSD employee, I have been provided with transperant and true information regarding how to implement measures to protect our children from this terrible pandemic. 

While diversity training has been shown to be successful, it is my feeling that we must address racial inequality by applying a global approach that engages all stakeholders in the community. Beginning at the district level, policies should be developed that will address the needs of the families attending our schools. Do they need after-school help? In-class tutoring? What limitations do they have that will impede them from improving on the statewide testing? The questions are many but when trying to address them, we must engage our families, and challenge them to be part of the solution. I also believe we must value and encourage diversity-- and celebrate it so that our children have an understanding of the different cultures and races in our community. We could even go a step further and develop policies that address integration when a new students join our schools.    

 As a challenger, one of my hopes would be to part of a team that is focused on ensuring that we have an effective and efficient infrastructure in place for our children that is comprised of values, standards, and accountability on how our tax dollars are spent. 

The motivation to run for Trustee 5 resulted from my own interest in educational research. I currently sit on UCSD’s Institutional Review Board as an alternate board member and assist in the review of experimental teaching methods, comparative studies, and behavioral studies that are done in children. Having the ability to review and ensure that studies are conducted ethically, I feel that the Trustee role will allow me to assist in providing thoughtful and considerate discussion that will assist the board members in making sound determinations that will be in the interest of our children and educators. As human subjects research advocate which includes approving research on children, I feel that my 18 years will be invaluable in providing ethical and compassionate insight.