I was on the San Diego school board for 4 years, where I watched children successfully matriculate into elementary schools from Head Start programs from all around our city.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
For a long time, I have been inclined to start a school for the talented children.
When I was coming up as a kid, there were programs that kept me out of trouble and on the straight and narrow in South Central Los Angeles, and I always felt that when I got to a stage where I could provide similar opportunities to kids then I would do that.
I am an Air Force brat who grew up at various Air Force bases. I changed six schools in about five years and got stability for the first time when I was sent to a boarding school, Rishi Valley. I lived outside of a cantonment-style living and was among an eclectic mix of kids and got exposed to books and other things.
When I first came to Los Angeles, I was a teacher in Compton. I know how in need schools are around the country.
I am most proud of what sfCiti has accomplished with the 'Circle the Schools' program, which engages companies to enter into long-term partnerships with San Francisco public schools, using an adopt-a-school model.
I completed the first three years of primary school in one year and was admitted to the local school the age of six directly into the fourth year, some two years younger than all my contemporaries.
I attended public school with the same group of kids from K through 12.
It started 25 years ago, when I was teaching elementary school in a small town in Missouri.
I was home schooled starting in seventh grade.
I taught for 17 years in an inner city comprehensive schools.