I am currently employed as a supervising independent studies teacher with Madera County Office of Education. In my 13 years there I have worked with young, expectant minors, students of the Day Court School, Boot Camp, independent studies and district continuation schools. In the past, I have worked as a social worker, eligibility worker, legal secretary, tutor, bookkeeper and farmworker.

Degrees held: Bachelor of science in business administration with a minor in philosophy, master of science in cross-cultural teaching, master of arts in educational counseling.

I am presently working on second year of a doctorate in psychology of organizational development.

I have real world experience beyond the educational system.

I have worked as a legal secretary and social worker. I am not afraid of hard work because I earned my degrees while I was raising three children as a single parent, working full-time.

I have been a classroom teacher and am experienced in administration of English Language Development programs. I always seek collaboration from people. As superintendent, I would serve all students and districts. At the state level, I want to use my minor in philosophy and pre-law to dissect proposed laws, policies, and regulations, so that the students and districts of Madera County benefit.

Given the state of California's fiscal crisis and the demand of the people for better educational outcomes for our children, the issue is how do we do better with less?

I am prepared to study the budgets of our school districts, make necessary cuts, while maintaining support for the classroom for our students and teachers.

I am an analytical person -- I like to study and understand the details of how things work. That is really the job of a superintendent.

I am committed to the educational needs of children. I will review programs and procedures to have the county office of education run effectively and efficiently. Improved operations will permit a greater focus on the services provided to each of the nine school districts.

I am prepared and unafraid to take on the challenging position of making unpopular decisions if such choices are what is best for our students. I am prepared to be a responsive leader with an open door policy.

I will certainly encourage anyone that wishes to work hard, and improve the operations of the county office of education to share their ideas.