Biography & Philosophy

By Esmeralda Sher

Dear Friend,

I am an economist by training and a soccer mom by choice. I have eight years of experience in the banking industry and I am currently a mortgage broker. While volunteering at my son's school, I became interested in the educational system and aware of the enormous challenges in helping students improve their academic performance. This experience led me to become an active participant for the English Language Advisory Committee and, shortly thereafter, a member and then President of Padres Unidos de San Rafael (Parents United). I also serve on the Self-Development Committee of the Presbyterian Church to evaluate and allocate moneys submitted by non-profit organizations.

I have been working very hard to bring quality education to all our children. This is why I decided to take it a step further and run for the San Rafael School Board.

These are my four approaches for improving education in San Rafael:

FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY: All district financial affairs should be accessible to anyone. As a trustee, I will insist on a detailed expense report in a manner consistent with current business standards. I want the distribution of district funds to be fair, to support needed programs, and to guarantee that your tax dollars are properly allocated.

ACADEMIC ACCOUNTABILITY: As a trustee, I will insist that we raise academic achievement expectations for all children. I will work tirelessly to ensure that a proven academic program and accelerated learning opportunities are provided to all students.

PARENT EMPOWERMENT: Parent participation is critical for successful education. I will work to increase the involvement of parents in district decision-making. I will create informational forums that allow parents to participate in developing policies and procedures that shape our children's education. Along with information parents should have more input for budget priorities.

TEACHER AND STAFF SUPPORT: Teachers are the most important part of a child's formal education. We need to ensure competitive salaries to attract and retain quality teachers. It is our obligation to provide our educators with the tools and support necessary to educate all our children. This includes professional development and training to enhance skills and teaching techniques.

Collaboration is the key element for success in public education.

Relating to the diverse issues of our community comes naturally to me. With your vote and my qualifications, we can make a difference in our children's future.

Sincerely,

Esmeralda Sher