Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1291735
face if the U.S. Senate fails to pass the HEROES Act or if we don't find new sources of revenue like Prop. 15. WEBSITE/SOCIAL: rodriguezforpalomar.org; Twitter: @Roberto63; IG: @RodriguezforPalomar; Facebook page: Roberto Rodriguez for Palomar Board Carolyn Torres CANDIDATE FOR: Santa Ana Unified School District Board of Edu- cation EXPERIENCE: Anaheim Secondary Teachers Association site rep. WHY: I am running for reelection for Santa Ana Unified school board because I have seen the value of my voice. As a teacher, I have been able to identify and explain which district policies and plans will make sense in the classroom and which will not. My experience in the classroom is a daily reality that informs my decisions on the board. When folks talk about parent engagement, I think of my stu- dents' parents and what accessibility, accountability and transparency mean beyond the rhetoric. TOP ISSUES: Right now health, safety and technology during COVID-19 are the priority. I want to make sure we are not rushing to open schools. I want to make sure we are not creating addi- tional barriers for parents, staff and students during distance learning. I am also concerned about budget cuts and want to make sure we are transparent with our budget. DISTANCE CAMPAIGNING: We have been canvassing with a few protocols. We do not want to get sick or get anyone sick. Health is very important to me, and we are taking all the pre- cautions we can. Unfortunately, I have decided not to attend many of the in-person functions that are normally part of a campaign. I do not know when I will personally have to go back to the classroom, so I do not want to increase any chance of getting COVID- 19 unnecessarily or push anyone on my team to take risks. CHOOSING TO LEAD NOW: Right now, we need strong, decisive leaders who will make the right decisions. Watching other decision-makers waver on what is clearly in the best interest of public health and safety is disap- pointing. I have heard many leaders say that they do not know what the best course of action is, but for me it seems clear that in the areas we can control, we should not be contributing to com- munity spread of COVID-19. We cannot control individuals or families. But as board members we can control how long we will continue with distance learning and what the safety precau- tions will be when we transition back to in-person classes. WEBSITE/SOCIAL: carolyntorresforsausd.com; Insta- gram: @carolyn_sausd; Facebook page: Carolyn Torres for SAUSD Lucy Ugarte CANDIDATE FOR: Chula Vista Elemen- tary School District Board of Education EXPERIENCE: 30 years in education, teaching English and health; cur- rently an ELD curriculum specialist and interventions resource teacher in Sweetwater Union High School District; Sweetwater Education Asso- ciation site rep. WHY: I have advocated for students, teachers, parents and community for more than 20 years, and I want to further serve my community. I want to empower the voices of students, teach- ers and staff to be fairly represented in board decisions, strengthen public education, develop transparency, and improve communication within the school district. Leaders Who See Us & Know Us 32 cta.org " It is important for our young people to see a successful Latina from their community advocating for them and empowering them to do the same." —Lucy Ugarte