Full Biography for Jolanda Schreurs

Candidate for
Board Member; Cabrillo Unified School District

My name is Jolanda Schreurs. I was educated at Cornell University where I received my Bachelor's in Science. I moved to California in 1979, and received my PhD in Pharmacology from Stanford University. I've worked as a professional scientist in the Biotechnology arena here in the Bay Area, as a scientist, project leader and senior scientist, developing drugs that stimulate the immune system to fight cancer and infectious diseases. Nearly 3 years ago, I refocussed my priorities, with the decision that I needed to participate more in my sons' lives and educations. And to that end, I have worked 20 - 60 hour weeks for the past 3 years to advance education here on the coastside.

What is my record? In 1996, I chaired the Measure K campaign. Together with Nelson Sandino I maintained the database of 14,000 voters. I organized the volunteers who made the phone calls and stuffed the 12,000 pieces of mail. In sum, I helped raise $35 Million for our schools. I received special recognition for this from the Governing Board.

For the past year and a half, I've been the Farallone PTA President. Working together, we've improved accountability, worked to enhance communications between home & school, managed a plethora of fundraising and service programs, added new programs; cobbled together resources to purchase new equipment; worked to forge partnerships, relationships, and strong foundations. Both in the past, and currently, I chair or sit on a variety of committees, and have regularly attended School Board, Site Council, Ed Fund, GATE, PTA President/Sup't meetings. Want to know more? Ask people at Farallone View about my record.

If elected, I will bring to this position a variety of talents. Trained as a Professional Scientist; I am analytical, honest, probing, and objective. But, I am also a synthesist and believe in using my creativity to construct new paradigms, ways of thinking, programs. Change and creativity are welcome when they are embedded on a stable framework. That translates to supporting our teachers, principals, administrators, and staff. How does one facilitate constructive change, inspire, and lead? By placing trust and respect in one's colleagues and employees, and by setting an example worthy of emulation.