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

JON LAURITZEN FOR SCHOOL BOARD A Teacher for A Change

Jon Lauritzen is a lifelong San Fernando Valley teacher, education reformer, and neighborhood leader who has dedicated his life to improving the quality of education for Valley children.

Jon's father was a rancher and an author of seventeen published novels. His mother taught elementary school in Arizona and here in the Valley. The Lauritzen family came to the San Fernando Valley in 1954. Jon graduated from Canoga Park High School and entered Pierce College. After earning his Associates Degree, he earned his Bachelors Degree from Cal State University Northridge. He would return to CSUN to earn a teacher credential and later a Masters Degree in Education with a specialization in Computer Education. Upon graduation from CSUN, Jon enlisted in the U.S. Army. After basic training at Fort Ord, California, Jon applied and was accepted into the officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant upon graduation.

When he left the service Jon returned home to the Valley and settled down with his new wife, Janice. Completing student teaching assignments at Hale Middle School and Granada Hills High School, Jon found a position teaching at Columbus Middle School in West Hills. Janice taught at Sutter Middle School and later moved to Cleveland High School.

Jon and Janice have been blessed with two wonderful children, Eric and Ridi. Both are graduates of Chatsworth Elementary, Lawrence Middle, and Chatsworth High School. Eric graduated from CSUN and Ridi from UCI. Their daughter Ridi, carrying the Lauritzen tradition to a new generation, earned her teaching credential at CSUN and is now a science teacher at Lawrence Middle School.

Jon spent 17 years as a math and computer science teacher at Columbus before transferring to Canoga Park High School. He was responsible for writing and developing computer courses for both students and faculty members. He retired from Canoga Park High School in June of 2000.

Jon is a life member of the Santa Susanna Mountain Park Association, where he has been a supporter of the establishment and expansion of the new state park in the area. Jon has become a recent board member of the foundation for the Preservation of the Santa Susanna Mountains, and he is active in the Chatsworth historical Society.

Jon is active in the San Fernando Valley Iris Association and has held the office of Treasurer. He and Janice grow over one thousand different varieties of irises. They are members of the American Iris Society.

Jon is Co-Chair of the Chatsworth Coordinating Council, which is an umbrella organization for community concerns and activities. When the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment established guidelines for neighborhood councils, Jon became the Co-Chair, joining with others to organize the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council.

Jon is currently a District Director of the "We the People" program of the Center for Civic Education. This nation-wide social studies program provides textbooks to students and training for teachers about the Constitution of the United States.