I am running to build a just and equitable school district

Making sure GUSD students receive a culturally relevant and responsive education is a stated goal of GUSD. Prioritizing racial and social justice is also a stated goal. I am running to make sure these goals are met.

I served on and support the Culturally Relevant and Responsive Education work group action plans drafted by GUSD - I am running to make sure these plans are implemented District-wide. I was proud to work with Black in Glendale and the GUSD Board in 2020 to pass the Black Lives Matter in Schools Resolution.

What does this mean?

This means implementing a curriculum that adheres to the California Dept. of Education guidelines and policies. Everything taught GUSD (standards, materials, textbooks ) is already approved at the state and local level. We don’t need to waste time restricting curriculum or debating settled or misunderstood content standards.

It means recruiting and retaining historically under-represented teachers, staff, and administrators in GUSD.

Equity does not mean giving everyone the same thing; I will ensure that our most overlooked students and families receive the care and attention they need.

GUSD has passed several resolutions in the past several years stating their commitment to racial and social justice, and yet students - especially Black, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ students - continue to report bullying, feeling unsafe, and unseen in their classrooms across GUSD.

Students thrive when their classes are interesting and engaging, and when they feel safe and seen. I will ensure that any adult doing Restorative Practices with students has ongoing training and oversight. We must also work to repair harm when it is caused, and make sure that students who engage in hurtful or dangerous behavior understand WHY it’s wrong and truly make progress towards tolerance and kindness. Suspending or expelling students is not restorative justice.

Armenian Genocide Recognition and Education

I have been an ally of the Armenian Community at the local, state, and national levels. I have a been a strong supporter of taking April 24th off from school to recognize the Armenian Genocide, in both Glendale and LAUSD, and have spoken about this at the respective school boards.

I am proud to be endorsed by:

SCAD - Southern California Armenian Democrats

Local

I have moved UTLA (United Teachers Los Angeles) to support the Armenian-WR Gala for several years, inclusive of a donation and attendees at the gala.

I have worked with Sedda Antekelian, from the USC Shoah Foundation, to provide PD to LAUSD Educators.

These 2 motions overwhelmingly passed at United Teachers Los Angeles and are now official policy:

I move that UTLA supports the unassigned day being considered by LAUSD to have April 24th off in recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Rationale - April 24th is the International Day of Recognition of the Armenian Genocide.  UTLA has passed resolutions in recognition of the Armenian Genocide in the past.  This will further commit us in honoring our students, families, members, and the Armenian Community on a day of remembrance.

I move that UTLA join in solidarity with the Armenian Community in denouncing the aggressions and attacks in Artsakh by the Azerbaijan Government with full backing by Turkey.  These attacks are unwarranted and unprovoked, and intimidation towards the peaceful Armenian civilians who live there.  I further move that we demand that any US Elected Administration stops providing military aide to Azerbaijan and Turkey.

Rationale - UTLA supports the Armenian Community and condemns violence towards peaceful civilians.

In addition, UTLA will write a letter in support of the already chaptered law (Nazarian AB 1320), that divests CALSTRS and CALPERS from Turkey.

State

I have worked with Taline Arsenian, former Glendale Teachers Association president, to bring motions to CTA (CA Teachers Association) to have CALSTRS divest from Turkish investments.

I have moved support from CTA for the April 24th March and Rally.

I have moved support for Artsakh. 

I have spoken in favor of a resolution, at the CADEM Convention, sanctioning Turkey and Azerbaijan.

National

I have moved support for Education Materials at the AFT.