My name is Dr. Ivan Rosales Montes and I am running for Morgan Hill Unified School Board Trustee Area 5 because I love Morgan Hill and care deeply about our community & education. My parents came to this country without the ability to speak English and with the determination to attain a better life. Growing up in Santa Clara County to working-class parents and as a student identified as an English language learner I experienced first hand the challenges of navigating our educational system.

Many of the challenges my family and I experienced through my educational journey are still endured by students today. These experiences inform the actions I take each day to ensure that equity and community are upheld through the lenses of humanity and compassion.

I began my career in education as an English language arts teacher and then served as a district administrator responsible for bringing strong academic programming across an entire district, while earning my doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania. Currently, I have the privilege of serving our community as the proud principal of a public elementary school where I have first-hand experience leading distance learning and back-to-school efforts amid the pandemic. These experiences provide a unique and much needed perspective to serve our community as MHUSD trustee.

Our students are more than numbers—they have names, dreams and ambitions. The need to provide all our youth and families with a quality education emboldens my conviction that students should have access to an education that humanizes them, prepares them for our rapidly evolving world by fostering the tools to innovate in our society and be college and career ready.

Join me in bringing new energy and ideas to our board leadership. I would be honored to have your support.

As a former MHUSD Special Education Classroom Para-educator, SEIU President, Adult Education Teacher, Personnel Commissioner and long time resident, my run for School Board is the logical next step in my commitment to the children and families of our community. I offer a unique perspective to the challenges facing the district.  My classroom experience, serving on school-site councils and the district budget committee has given me a unique experience to address and implement educational programs for distance learning. To meet the needs of our diverse student body, we need Trustees who have relationships with parent communities, the District and city to ensure all students are supported during this challenging time.  As a grandparent of school age children, as well as the grandparent of a teacher, I know firsthand the need for adequate facilities, resources and materials to support all students.  We must continue efforts to attract qualified educators who can deliver, in every classroom, the world class education that all our children deserve to be prepared with the skills to be college or work ready.  These are the educational initiatives that define my priorities for all our students.

As a lifelong resident of Morgan Hill and retired Teacher, I now want to give back to our educational community. Because of my employment back gorund as a Para Educator and Union President (SEIU), I feel that the best way to continue serving is to secure a palce on the Board of Trustee's at MHUSD. I care deeply about educating our Children, and feel my background as a long time Educator is the best way to continue representing our children on the Board. I understand how important it is to acknowlege diversity in an age of BLM and other important social justice issues. In this age of Covid, we need to think outside of the box, in order to keep our school children engaged in education. I believe taht early education builds the foundation for continuing to learn throughout a childs' life. I also believe that education encompasses far more than just math, language, and history. Science and the environmental issues must b e taught and our kids must understand what is at stake for thier future.

I appreciate the opportunity to have my story on your website!