My Path to Service
A story of resilience, second chances, and the enduring belief that education is the most powerful tool for community growth.
1980s — Early Life
Born in Mexico to migrant farmworkers, I grew up in Goshen. As a young person, I made decisions that led me to join a gang, be expelled from the county education system, and never graduate from high school or earn a GED.
1990s — Service & Growth
Service in the United States Marine Corps and starting a family helped me find a new direction, purpose, and sense of responsibility. After honorably serving in the Marine Corps, I returned to Goshen and enrolled in the College of the Sequoias. For me, this was an life-altering decision, as education became an important part of that new direction. A direction that led to me earning a four-year degree from UCLA, Master Degree from Fresno State, and a Ph.D. from Mississippi State. College would eventually allow me to build a career, as a community college faculty member, dedicated to helping others discover the opportunities that education can provide.
2000s — Educator & Leader
Serving as a faculty and community college educator for over twenty years, I possess a distinct outlook on learning. I act not just as a faculty, but as a person who faced real obstacles in the classroom, understanding the challenges our students meet daily. Many of these challenges stem from the learning experience these students gained while navigating the County's K thru 12 education system. I believe that having a hollistic (broader or wider) understanding of the systems that impact our children's educational journey, provides me with a unique perspective that no other candidate or current Board member holds.
Present — Community Service
Today, I bring a well-established record of service and a deep commitment to improving and supporting Area 1 students, educators, and their communities to the Tulare County Board of Education.Â
Family & Values
My life is defined by the people I have served and the family I have built. As a husband, father, uncle, and grandfather, I believe that leadership is grounded in lived experience and the values of service, accountability, and opportunity.