I was born in Kokomo. And yes, the Beach Boys' song was named after my hometown.  But, Kokomo isn't an island.  Far from it.  It's a factory town. As the story goes, the Beach Boys wrote a jingle for Delco Radio and they got a kick out of imagining Kokomo as a breezy tropical island oasis.  

But there's more to this story.  I hope to illustrate that no matter what country or what small town might be their origin story,  

children can bloom and grow in the most unexpected ways-- especially if they're fortunate enough to have a beloved teacher.

Mine was Mrs. Bernice Griner.  Her hair was always impeccably styled, she wore heels all day without complaining, she had perfect posture and crisp elocution. I wanted to be just like Mrs. Griner.  But I thought that would never happen because I knew Mrs. Griner had gone to college and no one in my family history had gone to college.

So at "Back to School Night," when Mrs. Griner took my mother and me aside, I was worreid. Was I in trouble?  I knew my penmanship wasn't perfect, was that it? I remember holding my breath until Mrs. Griner spoke and I can hear her voice to this day as she perfectly enunciated each word:  "Kathy Jo is college material."

Well, my mom told everyone.  And it became The Truth.  Nevermind that there was no money set aside for college.  With a combination of scholarships, summer jobs and student loans, and work/study programs, I was somehow able to graduate from college, and obtain a Master's degree and a PhD. 

So, of course, I sent Mrs. Griner an announcement of my doctoral commencement. When I saw the writing on the envelope, I knew it was from Mrs. Griner.  She had tucked inside the card a crisp ten dollar bill.  It's the most valuable ten dollar bill there is because it represents the effect a teacher can have in the life of a child.  "Teachers change lives" isn't words on a poster:  It's the truth.

My parents and my brothers and sisters were all UAW (united auto workers union) members.  I worked as a news reporter at KMST-TV in Monterey, California, at KTVI-TV in St Louis, Missouri and I am currently a (retired) member of the Producer/Writer's Guild of America. Before moving to San Luis Obispo, I worked in Hollywood writing and productin shows from "TV101," "Sisters" and "WIOU."  So, as you've already guessed, I'm a dyed in the wool Democrat. But, hey, some of my best friends are Republicans.  

Originally from the East Coast, graduate of Vassar College, I am a California resident since 1981, Central Coast since 1986, and San Luis Coastal since 2000. Although I originally moved here with my husband as a business owner of a nursery and landscaping business, we divorced in 1990. I studied at Chapman U. for a new career as a certificated teacher and single mother. 

At that time only bilingual teachers were hired. So, with a history of being a French major and loving diverse cultures, I paid my own way to study Spanish in Cuernavaca, Mexico at one of the language schools. 

After graduating there, I proceeded to study to pass the BCLAD certification to teach elementary students bilingually and ESL. This prepared me for a twenty-five year career in two Title I schools in Lucia Mar USD, where there was a great need for bilingual teachers. 

I've served the needs of hundreds of families, a variety of cultures but mostly Mexican-American, speaking Spanish to conduct parent conferences.

I'm running for election to the San Luis Coastal School Board because our country is in crisis. The events of 2020 have rocked us all to the core and continue to do so. We need the hope that together we can make things better.

I'm running for office because the students are our future. What happens in school has an impact on all of us. These students will one day be in charge of the destiny of our country. 

I'm running to see our schools and community find common ground to build on. All voices must be heard and honored. 

"Inclusivity” is not a recently invented term. It has been my goal during the twenty-five years of my teaching experience. I advocated for under-served families to make sure they connected with the services they needed and did not know about.

I care that no student will “fall through the cracks” on my watch, but all students will find their passion and identity as successful and joy-filled citizens.