Elizabeth León

I am a Whittier girl, through and through.  My educational journey reflects the promise of the American Dream.  My parents, Mexican immigrants, chose Whittier as the place for their family for the same reasons I chose it for mine: caring neighbors, capable law enforcement, and excellent schools.  I attended Hoover, Lincoln, Dexter, and Whittier High.  My children and extended family will attend some of these same schools, because the decision of who to trust with a child’s education is not to be taken lightly.  The dedicated and talented Whittier City School District teachers and staff have demonstrated that they are the right people to be part of our “village.” 

 

Serving on the School Board for one term has been an educational and inspiring experience. The business of the Board is challenging, but rewarding. Our beautiful historic buildings need attention to continue to function properly.  Longfellow, for example, just reached its 100th year, and we have worked proactively to keep the campus in good shape.  I have dedicated many hours to learning about budgets, income sources, and laws that affect education, so that I can have a deep understanding of complicated documents.  My goal is to ask meaningful questions and ensure that each of our pennies is spent in a way that will benefit WCSD students.  

 

I have been a classroom teacher since 2005.  I currently–joyfully–teach middle school language arts.  I know firsthand how distance learning and social media have affected students and schools.  With worldwide readership down and math ability waning in many places, I feel the urgent need to contribute to implementing practical, actionable solutions to empower teachers and staff to usher kids’ educational journeys along toward productive and meaningful careers.  

 

 My parents raised me to be an honest person who works hard.  Serving on the School Board to this point has been a way for me to give back to the community that gave me every opportunity.   I don’t have a political party or any huge machine behind me.  I am simply a believer in public education and I will fight to preserve access to the American Dream for every person who is willing to work for it.  

 

I hope you will join us at a school board meeting (Every 2nd Tuesday at 6pm), and I hope that you will vote for me in November, so that I can continue to use my energy and voice to help build the schools I want for my children, and for yours.  

 

In Service, 

Elizabeth León