I love San Jose, and I have experience making a positive impact in our community: PTO President for San Jose Unified's largest elementary school, substitute teacher across several SJUSD schools, Girl Scout troop leader to over forty girls, executive treasurer for a nonprofit (Las Madres) serving children and their families in Santa Clara County, and volunteer for the Humane Society of Silicon Valley.
Professionally, I work in student services for universities helping implement educational programs. That experience, and my track record of hands-on commitment to our schools and community, will help move the district forward.
Join me in making SJUSD even better.
A school district is only as strong as its community. The district should engage parents in the “why” of decisions, clarify policy tradeoffs, and listen to the opinions of an empowered public. With a responsive district, every SJUSD family can see themselves as educational decision-makers, not just consumers of what the district provides. The current trustees have failed to meaningfully engage, as they did in the recent closure of five schools and their inaction in response to a scathing grand jury report. The community feels that their input and engagement is not valued, and the school board needs change.
As a school board member, I would connect parents to the experts and information that guide policy decisions to make the process more transparent on all sides. The current system best serves families who already have institutional knowledge and confidence that their voices matter. Many don’t have the time or energy to effectively advocate. Others focus only on their individual child or specific school. Very few believe their participation and engagement in the district at large makes a difference.
Our city, and our district, bring together students, parents, educators, and administrators from vastly different backgrounds. Half of the students in the district are English learners, foster youth, or eligible for free/reduced-price meals. At the same time, the average home price in San Jose is $1.4 million. Despite the enormous wealth in the area, schools struggle to address our students’ unique challenges.
Carson does not offer theoretical solutions; she possesses the direct, actionable insight required to bridge the gap between district decision-making and the lived reality of our schools. To me, Carson’s experience makes her a candidate who is prepared to address the complex challenges facing the San Jose Unified School District with both analytical depth and a genuine dedication to the welfare of the school community.
Carson is extremely civically minded and committed to making choices based on thoughtful reasoning rather than what’s easiest or what has been done in the past. Carson understands the complex nature of policy-making and budgets and has spent her time on the PTO trying to create institutional solutions to problems. She is willing to spend the time researching and learning why things are the way they are and what constrains decision-making.
I recommend Carson Dance for SJUSD Trustee Area 2 because she has a long record as a highly motivated problem solver within SJUSD schools. I have known Carson for 4 years through her leadership at Trace Elementary, and believe she is extremely knowledgeable, collaborative, and will work to improve SJUSD’s relationship with its students and families while also pragmatically improving educational outcomes for all students.
My mom is great!!
Or anything else you'd like to share.
I'm committed to a collaborative, communicative district, and I want to hear from you!
Want to know more about the campaign? Join our mailing list.
We can't do this without you. I'm not a politician and we're starting this from scratch. I believe we can win with a coordinated effort from our community. Can you door knock? Host a house party? Tell your friends?
Any and all support is welcomed.