Candidate for
Board Member; Los Angeles Unified School District; District 3

Louis Pugliese, MA. Ed. Candidate for Los Angeles Unified Board of Education, District 3

Louis Pugliese is currently a lecturer in Educational Psychology for CSUN's teaching credential program, as well as an LAUSD teacher and education writer. With both extensive classroom experience and a deep, disciplined understanding of sound teaching and learning principles, Louis intends to lead an intelligent, "forensic" inquiry into current LAUSD policies that affect teaching, learning and most of all, student motivation.

His goal is to help transform the "LAUSD School Board" into a genuine "Board of Education." His "SMARTEN UP!" platform addresses critical educational issues in the district, and proposes bold, new ideas to transform education in Los Angeles.

Raised on Long Island, Louis earned a B.S in Elementary Education and Psychology from the State University of New York. In 1999, he was a CSUN graduate with distinction, earning his M.A. in Educational Psychology with a concentration in development, learning and instruction. During this time, his research focused on student motivation and academic achievement. In 2002, Louis attained the distinguished certification of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Louis is also an accomplished musician, and writer of educational commentary. His music has been published internationally and his commentary on schools and student motivation can be read in Education Week, a major national magazine for school leaders.

Mr. Pugliese has been an elementary teacher for LAUSD for over 13 years, volunteering to serve in low-performing schools in both south Los Angeles and the Valley. Between 1996 and 2003, he taught at Tulsa Street Elementary as part of a team that brought the school up from underperforming status through its achievement of the prestigious California Title 1 Academic Achievement Award. During these years Mr. Pugliese was an active and vocal supporter of fair administrative practices towards teachers and their classrooms. In 2003, Louis was appointed as a Teacher/Scholar in Residence in CSUN's College of Education's teacher training program.

His organizational leadership and community service background includes experience as school technology coordinator, principal grant writer, service for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, WASC accreditation writer/editor, independent music producer, and current position as co-chair of the Board of Directors for an independent charter school in North Hills.

Louis currently resides in Valley Village. He can be reached at (818) 505-8165.