Salinas City Elementary School DistrictCandidate for Trustee, Trustee Area 3

Hello, I am Kathryn Grossman-Ramirez and I am running for Salinas City Elementary School District Board of Trustees.  I am a Mother, a Teacher, and am currently a School Board Member for the Salinas High School District. I was born and raised in Salinas and attended local schools from elementary school to the University.  My grandparents Sidney and Esther Grossman owned and operated Sid’s Department Store in the Alisal for over two decades.  I have deep roots in our Salinas Community.

As a classroom Teacher I have worked with many children and adults and found there is a need to strengthen the foundations of early childhood education in order to ensure successful learning outcomes.  This includes a focus on ensuring we provide our Teachers and students the proper classroom resources to create STRONG readers by the third grade.  Also, key to success will be enhancing Professional Learning Communities (PLC) within all of our schools to allow teachers to collaborate (when lesson planning) on best practices to maximize student achievement for all students.

Additionally, I will advocate for strategies focused on recruitment, training and retention of teachers to ensure that turnover in staff does not impact student learning.  This includes developing and maintaining strong mentorship programs, opportunities to observe good teaching, and a solid new teacher support program that helps them clear their credentials and create solid best teacher practices in their classroom.

It has been an honor serving on the Salinas Union High School District Board of Trustees for the past 15 years. As a parent in the district, I know firsthand the hopes and dreams for my children.  As your board member, I will advocate for programs and services to meet those same hopes and dreams for all children in our community.  It is now time for me to take my experience to the Elementary school district where I can hit the ground running as an experienced school board member and Teacher. I have the experience of working with an over $150 Million dollar budget that reflects student needs first with an emphasis on providing support academically, behaviorally and socio-emotionally.

I truly understand what our students, with their diverse backgrounds, need to succeed in life.  I know the District has successes and I am a believer in continuous improvement and I continue to demonstrate this by keeping current on trends around the state and the nation. Evidence of my commitment to personal and professional growth is that I continue to serve on the Board of Directors of the California School Board Association and the California Latino School Board Association. I have the proven experience, knowledge, history, and solid foundation to continue making a difference for our students in Salinas.  It has been an honor serving you, and I look forward to your continued support. 

Personal facts about me: Born (SVMH) and raised in North Salinas.  Attended Loma Vista School, El Sausal Middle School, North Salinas High (class of 89), Hartnell College (AA), CSU Monterey Bay (BA Teaching), and Golden Gate University (Masters Degree MPA).  Maiden name: Grossman.  My family owned Sid’s Department Store.

Working Together For Our Children’s Future