SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER EXPERIENCE
I have been a Brea Olinda USD Governing School Board Member for 8 years. I am currently serving as the Board President for the second time and have been Vice President/Clerk 2 times as well. I take my job as a School Board Member seriously and am dedicated to the job the public has elected me to do. I do all of the research and homework necessary to make informed and educated decisions, keeping the students of Brea as the center of every single decision I make.
I believe that in order to be an effective leader, who makes informed decisions, it is important for board members to participate in professional development. I have taken the Master’s in Governance Training courses in Foundations of Effective Governance, Setting Direction, Policy & Judicial Review, Student Learning & Achievement, School Finance, Human Resources and Collective Bargaining.
These classes have afforded me the opportunity to get elected by the other boards in Orange County as a member of the California School Board Association Delegate Assembly, something that no other board member in Brea has done. This job allows me to advocate specifically for Brea’s kids. It gives BOUSD a voice in the decision-making and influence that CSBA has at the state level.
CITY EXPERIENCE
As a prior Planning Commissioner for the City of Brea, I was responsible for making decisions that upheld the values of our community. Additionally, I became familiar with the various processes within a working Board, and was a valuable intermediary between the public and the City Council. This has given me an understanding of how important it is to establish a positive working relationship between the City and the School District.
PARENT PERSPECTIVE
I am a parent of four kids, three who attended, and graduated from BOUSD schools. I have had the opportunity to experience first-hand all areas of education in BOUSD, from the challenges and successes in academics at every grade level, to the value parent involvement has in their children’s education and competitive sports/performing arts/STEAM. I see the importance of offering our Brea students programs that give them the experiences and opportunities they need to be successful in the future.
Having a son who served in the military, and was deployed in Afghanistan, has given our family a new respect for our BOUSD students, and their families, who choose to serve our country. I embrace the military values of Loyalty, Respect, Honor, Integrity and Selfless Service.
BUSINESS AND FISCAL EXPERIENCE
Having held a position for 26 years as a Corporate Board Member of our family business, I have gained the knowledge and intimate understanding of finances, human resources, contracts and negotiations, as well as the importance of being fiscally responsible and solvent. This has been an asset to me in my role as a School Board Member
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER AND SERVICE
I have been an active community volunteer in Brea for the last 25 years in various capacities.
My school involvement ranges from PTO/PTSA President, PTA Secretary, School Site Council Member, classroom volunteer, Fundraising Chair, BOHS Cheer Booster Board Secretary and President, and a BOUSD substitute teacher.
I have also served the community of Brea as an involved member of the Rotary Club of Brea for the last 10 years. I have served as a president, treasurer, board member and event coordinator. Rotary is a service organization whose motto is, “Service Above Self,” and are made up of community members dedicated to giving back to the community of Brea. They are one of the largest donors and supporters of student programs in BOUSD, which is a cause that is near and dear to my heart.
I am proud to have been recognized for my contributions to the community with several awards. I have received Rotarian of the Year twice, in 2016 and 2017, as well as Citizen of the Year from the Brea Chamber of Commerce in 2016, being recognized for this by the State Assembly, Congress and Orange County Supervisor’s offices. In 2017 I received the the 29th Senate District “Women of the Year” award, honoring women in leadership who pursue their passions while enriching their community.
BREA HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Being a 39 year resident of Brea, I have attended and graduated from Brea Schools. I have a historical perspective on the issues and values our community has faced (and is facing) in education, along with the understanding that Brea is growing and changing and the needs of our students are changing along with it. It’s important for me to respect the history of our little city, but be open to changing what isn’t working to make things better.
CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE
My experience as a teacher gives me an inside perspective into the struggles our credentialed teachers, and classified support staff, face in education on a daily basis. I have taught a variety of levels in elementary school, including blended classes, and I have subbed in all levels of schools in Brea. If we support and listen to the people who are responsible for our student’s education, they will, in turn, be able to support and encourage our kids!