I believe we can always do more for our children. I am here to listen and learn what our community wants for our district.
MEET ELLIOTT
Bringing a new parent voice to the PGUSD Board
My wife and I have been very fortunate to raise our family here. I am a Fisheries Biologist working for the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration where I study the ocean ecosystem to support sustainable fishing along the west coast of the US. My wife and I both have had the benefit of an amazing education which has given us a lifelong passion for learning. I want to afford the same opportunities to all Pacific Grove children by strengthening the educational framework for PGUSD students. I have two children (3rd and 7th grades) who were born here and attend the Pacific Grove School District. I am committed to supporting career and college-ready students starting with elementary learning and improving communication, science, and mathematics.
Our school board serves to represent the needs and perspectives of parents, citizens, and taxpayers to the school administrators and teachers, and that should support the needs of all of our students for the betterment of the community. Our district is successful because of the remarkable community of teachers, staff, and parents and it is my sincere desire to contribute my energy to the same ends as a board member.
The past few years have been difficult for everyone. Our Pacific Grove school board has done an excellent job addressing the needs as they arose. Nonetheless, we need more parents of K-12 students represented on the board as priorities across families vary considerably. I would aim to glean lessons learned this past year from distance-learning, such as exploring classroom connection options when children need to learn from home.
Why am I qualified? I have been a member of both elementary and middle school site councils, worked with the district to increase language education opportunities including Spanish education in elementary and middle schools, currently serve as a member of the Pacific Grove Recreation Board, and I have served on district-wide parent advisory and bond oversight committees. I also have been a regular volunteer at school sites whether it is to talk about whale research in our classrooms, serving popcorn at PTA events, or photography for school events. I have a PhD in marine science and plan to bring my life-long love of learning to the school board once sworn in.
