By Maura E. Murabito

We have raised two wonderful daughters who attended Glendora schools. Both of our daughters succeeded in high school and beyond, in no small part to the education and support they received as they advanced through the schools in our District. A school district, deservedly recognized as one of the very best in the State of California. I want to make sure that our district remains the pride of our community. That is why I decided to run for Glendora School Board.

As a small business owner in Glendora and then as Director of Business Development for the Glendora Chamber of Commerce, I saw firsthand the amazing and supportive connection that exists between our schools, city, and community.

Later, as a Marketing teacher at Glendora High School I was able to leverage those relationships to benefit my students. My students were tasked with creating a business idea, developing a business plan and marketing strategy for that business, and then engaging Glendora business owners and civic leaders to help improve our community.

All levels of students worked together in my classroom just as they would in the real world. Students learned academic skills combined with Career Technical Education + and it worked; Students learned by doing.

As you will see throughout my campaign, I am a strong advocate for Career Technical Education. CTE is no longer just wood shop. It is Digital Photography, Culinary Arts, Forensics, Administration of Justice, Construction Technology, among many other programs. It's about providing students with the skills, the technology base, and the work habits and soft skills necessary to enter the workforce and college. It's about helping students find a career and building a plan to achieve it.

Today, I am fortunate to be able to make the most of my passion for CTE and my dedication to our students and their education. As Director of Curriculum for Tri-Cities ROP:

• I've had the opportunity to meet with our legislative leaders in Sacramento and successfully lobby for Career Technical Education in K-12.
• I've authored integrated Academic and Career Technical Education courses that are approved and being taught statewide, such as Design and World History course and a Marketing and French course.
• I've become a certified trainer of integrating Common Core State Standards and Career Technical Education Model Curriculum Standards.
• I put into action a teacher mentorship program so teachers can find support and encouragement, resulting in significantly less attrition in the organization.
• I implemented 21st Century classrooms and provided teachers and students with industry standard equipment and technology to better prepare our students for the real-world.
• I developed the first dual enrollment class between a community college and our high schools in my organization, where students are awarded both college and high school credit after successful completion.
• I implemented our first ROP course in the middle schools, with the intent to keep more students staying in-district for high school as well as giving the middle school students exposure to various career pathways.

• Advocate to incorporate Career Technical Educational for all students, at all levels.
• Continue to focus on the College Going Culture, ensuring that every child is prepared to go to college, whenever they choose to go.
• Promote open, transparent communication between community, and schools.
• Lobby for elimination of the Budget Reserve Cap.
• Provide excellent service and support to teachers and site administrators in order to implement California State Standards.
• Expand and upgrade technology programs in our schools.
• Encourage community and business partnerships for our schools.