Learning, Doing, Serving 

On April 15th, I visited the fourth graders at Mariposa School. I attended their history classes where they were busy working on the design of a museum they will create to highlight their learnings about California history. The students were working together to identify their priorities for the museum. Later, two classes merged seamlessly to check in on whether they were with addressing guiding questions they developed for this project. Like at Arroyo School, the teachers were facilitators of learning - not simply transmitters of knowledge and rules. The students responded well as they were engaged in and excited about their learning. Thank you Principal Fox for arranging this visit. 

I had the opportunity to visit the fifth graders at Arroyo School on April 14th as they shared their work from their Project Based Learning initiative with others from their grade. All were engaged and excited to share. I heard some creative stories addressing natural disasters that built on their learning over the last several months. Principal Shelton had a wonderful rapport with the students. Another great example of high-quality education in San Mateo County.

I spent April 10th in Sacramento learning alongside and connecting with other county board members from across the state. We addressed budget development, board dynamics, legislation, advocacy, and community engagement. I especially appreciated my conversations with two new board members from Santa Clara County and an experienced board member from Sacramento County. I look forward to working with them in the future, especially as we address returning excess property taxes to our counties. I also received some great input on ways to bring on a youth trustee.

On April 5th, I joined many from our county for an event to show our support for students, educators, and public education in the wake of policy changes coming from Washington in the last couple of months, many of which may jeopardize the health, education, and futures of our nation's children. Organized by State Senator Josh Becker and Congressman Kevin Mullin, the event provided updates on policies from both Washington and Sacramento, included inspiring speakers, celebrated our educators, and encouraged everyone to speak up for our county's children and their education. 

On April 3rd, I attended Leadership Council San Mateo County's LEAD 2025: Redefining Leadership in a Changing World event. The speakers shared their research and experience on leading across teams. The event was informative and inspiring and it is always good to connect with others serving youth and our communities.

The Board Advocacy Subcommittee met on April 1 to plan the timeline for work addressing funding inadequacies in San Mateo County. The first meeting will be held later this month. We also agreed to take three pieces of legislation to the full Board at the April 19th meeting.

I wrapped up the month working with the Association of California County Boards of Education (ACCBE) to develop criteria for assessing legislation and review specific legislation for ACCBE support. 

The County Office celebrated the ten-year anniversary of the Environmental Solutionary Teachers Fellowship Program this month. I was thrilled to be there as this important work was part of my portfolio at the County Office. The program has provided hundreds of teachers with the training and support they need to create climate-ready classrooms and support students, many of who experience tremendous anxiety about climate change. Congratulations to Julie Hilborn who leads this work.

I completed required ethics training through the California School Boards Association on March 19. The training is mandated for school board members under AB 2158. The training covered conflicts or interest, the Brown Act, and other topics. It was useful.

I continue to connect with Board members to explore how we can collaborate. Trustee David Li from the Redwood City School District Board shared some excellent advice on developing an effective advocacy strategy and approach and is excited to work with us to develop and implement an advocacy plan. 

I have been working with Trustee Mike O'Neill who has been leading the work to address funding inadequacies in our county. Through our subcommittee work, we are developing a plan. I also met with Trustee Bev Gerard this month. She has a deep understanding of the role of the Board and has been a leader in the state on County Boards of Education leadership, so that was a very helpful meeting. Getting to know and developing positive relationships with my colleagues on the Board is essential to good governance, and I am enjoying it.

I met with a community leader from San Carlos about working to better connect Career Technical Education programs and employers in the county. He is concerned that there is a disconnect that is hurting both students and businesses. I had the chance to connect with the leader of a business organization on this and will reach out to County Office staff with his suggestions.

This month was legislative action month. I attended three online meetings with legislators and/or their staff and the San Mateo County School Boards Association's Legislative Brunch on the 22nd. I think we can do a better job working together to pull together a set of recommendations and all of the supportive materials legislators need to move these priorities forward. Something to shoot for.

I have been attending Association of California County Boards of Education meetings regularly. These sessions are designed to help get new board members up to speed and build connections. 

I attended the 17th District PTA meeting on the 24th. It was wonderful to connect with these amazing leaders. They recognized PTA chapters making a great difference in their school communities, and thankfully that list was long! Thank you to all who step up to serve on their school PTAs.

On the 25th, I attended the Stanford AI+Education Summit. I found this year's conference even better than last year's as we have more experience and research on the impacts and possibilities of AI in education. There was less of a focus on academic integrity this year and more on developing systems and policies to integrate AI wisely into teaching and learning. This page has information on the Summit, including a link to recordings. I worked on AI in education while at the County Office of Education and remain very interested in helping schools evolve and use AI to better support students and educators.

I spoke with Bryan Singh, Chief of Staff for State Assemblymember and Education Chair Al Muratsuchi, about the legislator's interest in exploring a regional funding adjustment. Currently, the state uses one formula for all counties. Given the high cost of living in San Mateo County, this one-size-fits-all approach does not generate adequate or equitable funding for several of the county's school districts. 

Talking with parents and community members is a rewarding and educational part of my new role. I spoke with parents a couple times this month about making classrooms and campuses more inclusive for all students. I learn much from these encounters.

After my election, I reached out to all of the trustees in the San Carlos, Redwood City, and Sequoia Union High school districts to introduce myself, start to build a relationship, and learn more about their districts and how the County Board might help in their efforts to support and improve outcomes for all students in their districts. I have connected with many of these and other trustees in the county. Funding, improving board governance, and supporting families impacted by the actions and rhetoric in Washington were mentioned as priorities. I also had good meetings with most of the County Board trustees who shared their invaluable wisdom and interest in working together both with each other and the Superintendent in support of children and youth. I appreciated their taking the time.

I attended the Association of California County Boards of Education's Advocacy and Legislative Forum on the 27th. There was an excellent presentation from Los Angeles Count Health staff on the negative impact of mandated reporter requirements on families. Apparently, research has shown that mandated reporting in Los Angeles leads to over-reporting, a disproportionate impact on marginalized communities, and a focus on reporting rather than supporting families. I shared the information with Superintendent Magee as I think it would be useful for San Mateo to explore this.

I participated in a Sequoia Union High School District communications focus group. To the district's credit, they are working to improve communication with families and the larger community and are casting a wide net to get input. As a trustee and former education communications official, I look forward to learning the results and how they plan to move ahead.