I’m running for School Board because I want to be a champion for our students and a voice for our community. My goal is to create a secure and opportunity-rich learning environment in our schools.
Drawing from my life experiences, I deeply understand the importance of supporting students. Growing up part of a minority community, I navigated three different high schools as ‘the new girl’, facing numerous social challenges along my path to success. I’ve also witnessed the wide range of opportunities available to students when they receive comprehensive district support.
I firmly believe that community support and unity are the driving forces that propel students toward achieving their dreams. I will work tirelessly to ensure our students have every opportunity to realize their fullest potential.
I am deeply invested in the community of Livermore, as I have lived here close to 13 years. I also offer a multifaceted perspective, drawing from my professional and educational background, my multi-ethnic heritage, my involvement as a parent in our community and schools, and my success as a business owner.
Career. During college, I held various positions, as an assistant coach, athletic department assistant, and doctor's assistant, while also playing two collegiate sports. Despite juggling multiple jobs, I successfully completed graduate school and established my own private practice.
Heritage. Being Native American and Hispanic, I know first-hand how hard work and dedication to educational excellence can help overcome the social and economic challenges in minority communities. At the age of 10, I became the first girl of color to join my amateur softball association team, and I remained a part of this organization, competing all over the nation, for 12 years.
Community. As a parent and active PTA board member, I participate in school events and PTA functions as well as District and School Board meetings.
Business Owner. As a business owner, I bring experience in leadership and teamwork, along with financial responsibility in managing large budgets.
My family and I have enjoyed living in Livermore for nearly 13 years!
I actively contribute to the community as a business owner, a practicing physician, a team parent for both Fusion soccer and Little League baseball, a PTA board member at a Title 1 school in the Livermore School District, a participant in a local women's group, a volunteer in children's ministries, and a facilitator of a weekly adult educational class. I also help plan community and holiday events in Livermore for schools, businesses, and neighborhoods.
As a family, we give back to our community. My husband and I help host fundraisers for our community that benefit schools and youth sports. We are regular donors to a local non-profit program that helps to shelter and employ the less fortunate in the tri-valley. My family helps on community clean up days. My husband and I attend leadership conferences and training on how to be effective business owners and leaders.
We love to participate in Livermore events. Most recently, I also participated in the Livermore Half Marathon and a 4th of July block party. I am looking forward to attending the Livermore Law Enforcement National Night Out.
At age 15, I started working as an assistant to a Middle Eastern immigrant doctor. He worked harder than anyone I knew to run a successful business, and was my mentor all the way through college. He encouraged me to complete grad school and start my own business, and he continues to be an inspiration to me today.
My Junior Olympics coach was also a source of motivation and support. He stepped in to be a voice of encouragement when I felt out of place on the team. He kept me focused on my goals, and I continued with the team for many years.
There are many things I love about Livermore! I love that it is a big small town. The community here is wonderful. It is a great place to raise a family. I love the landscape of Livermore. With all the trails, vineyards, farmlands, ranches, downtown events, and restaurants, there is so much to do. We also have so many unique things here in Livermore, such as an airport, national laboratories, a highly ranked city college, and many beneficial youth programs.
My purpose in running for School Board is to improve the standards for student achievement, bolster school safety, and promote student health, all while providing necessary support to teachers and staff.
As a district, we must ensure that we provide all the necessary resources to improve student's test scores in core subjects, such as Reading and Mathematics. While attending district meetings, I learned that from 2021-2023, Livermore's math proficiency ranged from 40-49%. Livermore High School reported a proficiency rate of only 37% in 2023. Meanwhile, Reading and Language Arts scores remained around 60% during the same period. We need to increase our test scores to 75-80% in order to perform at a comparable level to districts such as Pleasanton and Dublin.
I believe we can make our schools safer by equipping all campus entry points with power locks and cameras and by working closely with local Public Safety personnel to ensure our schools are safe from fentanyl and other dangerous narcotics.
We also must proactively address the mental health crisis affecting our students. Toward this effort, we can reintroduce psychological courses and curriculum while ensuring meditation, movement, and wellness courses are readily available to students. Additionally, bolstering the availability of trade courses and pathways can provide valuable alternatives for students who face academic challenges.
Today an increasing number of students struggle with depression and anxiety.
Being a School Board member is a top priority for me. With full support from my family, I am committed to making any necessary adjustments to be an effective representative for our Livermore community.
A seat on the Livermore School Board is a non-partisan position. I have full understanding that this position is not for activists but rather for unifying the community for the betterment of all students. I appreciate the support from all political parties and am committed to representing everyone fairly.
A seat on the Livermore School Board is an unpaid elected position that works with the superintendent to shape school district policies and allocate the budget. The primary objective is to improve school performance while being responsive to the priorities and concerns of taxpayers. The School Board is accountable for student success and has the ability to secure funding through bond measures approved by the voters.
The Superintendent, hired and paid by the School Board, serves as the district educational leader and chief advisor. In addition to overseeing students' educational needs and success, they monitor school site progress and safety, create beneficial policies for students and staff, and generate ideas to ensure compliance with state and federal educational codes.
The Livermore School Board consists of 5 members, each serving a 4-year term.
No and what exactly is that? Isn’t that an east cost thing? As a professional, I stay focused on managing my responsibilities, which include running businesses, caring for my patients, and being actively involved in my children’s schools and extracurricular activities.
Absolutely! I believe that all students, including those who identify as LGBTQ+, deserve to feel safe, respected, and supported in our schools. Every student should have the opportunity to learn in an environment that values their individuality and promotes inclusivity. My focus is on creating a welcoming, respectful space for all students, regardless of their background or identity, so they can thrive academically and personally.
Yes! I absolutely support anti-discrimination and anti-bullying policies. It's important to note that such policies already exist within the education code to protect all students from harassment and discrimination. These policies are essential in ensuring that our schools remain safe and supportive environments for every child. I fully support any efforts that reinforce these protections, as the well-being of our children is a top priority. California Education Code Section 200, 220, 234.1 1 (The Safe Place to Learn Act) and 48900 (r) all address anti-discrimination and anti-bullying. These sections of the California Education Code reinforce the state's commitment to protecting students and ensuring that schools remain safe, inclusive spaces where every student can succeed, and I support these policies.
My goal is to promote student achievement for all students and supporting environments where all students can thrive.
I firmly believe that children should have access to the highest quality education possible. As both a product and advocate of the California public education system, I never encountered these issues during my own schooling. Recently, it has come to my attention that some schools have included explicit material, which raises concerns. This content should be carefully reviewed, and it is essential for parents to engage in open conversations with their children at home to guide them on what is appropriate to view. I fully support the inclusion of American literary classics that enrich our understanding of history and reflect the diversity of our community.
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