Huntington Beach, CA-As the Ocean View School District Board of Trustees looks toward the future, we remain committed to two important priorities: valuing the employees who serve our students every day and responsibly preserving public land for our community. In the coming months, the District will review the results of an RFP exploring the potential development of two former school sites: Sun View and Pleasant View into workforce housing, helping support the employees who make our schools strong. Just as important, any future vision must also protect precious open green space for community use and neighborhood quality of life. Strong schools require both strong employees and thoughtful stewardship of public resources. Listen in to hear my trustee comments on the matter and stay tuned for more from OVSD.

Huntington Beach, CA-Last night at our OVSD Board of Trustees’ Meeting, the Mesa View orchestra, led by the 2026 Teacher of the Year, Mr. Nicolosi, entertained those in attendance with a beautiful performance of Hidden Passages. Student talent was on full display with the showcase of the incredible arts programs. We also recognized Classified Employees and Teachers of the Year for their outstanding work. We celebrated our Teachers of the Year, Mr. Nicolosi of Mesa View Middle School and Mrs. Fisler of Circle View Elementary. Our Classified Staff make a difference every day and at last night’s OVSD Board of Trustees meeting, we recognized our Employees of the Year. These dedicated individuals go above and beyond to support our students, staff, and community: Francesca Baldelli, District Office – Administrative Assistant, Fidel Jacobo Ayala, Hope View – Lead Food Service Worker, Buu-Tram Nguyen, Star View – Parent Liaison Instructional Assistant, David Serrano, Lake View – Head Custodian. We also recognized our District. Communications and Public information Officer Julie St. Cyr was recognized this evening for earning  three Awards of Excellence at the 2026 CalSPRA Conference for her work in social media, photography, and news writing, and more. We are so proud of Julie and all of our staff who make OVSD a wonderful place for our students to learn. Great work, Team OVSD!

Buena Park, CA-Thank you to the Democratic Party of Orange County for the honor of being named a recipient of the Women of Courage Award for 2026. I’m deeply grateful and truly humbled. As a classroom teacher, a union leader, and President of the Ocean View School District Board of Trustees, I’ve had the privilege of seeing public education from every angle. I can tell you this: when we invest in our schools, we invest in the future of our democracy. This recognition isn’t just about me, it belongs to the educators who show up every day for their students, the families who advocate for opportunity, and the community members who believe in equity, access, and the power of public education. I’m proud to stand alongside those who fight for working families, for strong public schools, and for every child’s right to succeed, no matter their zip code. Congratulations to all of the recipients who received awards today, to earn this honor, and for continuing to do the work that truly makes a difference. Orange County women are leading the way in California and beyond 🍊🇺🇸!

Cerritos, CA-I can’t believe it, I’ve been a teacher for three decades, 30 years! Tonight I was honored by my employers at the ABC Unified School District here in Los Angeles County at a lovely recognition dinner for my 30 years of service to students. I started my career teaching 7th and 8th graders, algebra and biological sciences at Fedde Junior High School in Hawaiian Gardens in 1996. Just out of university, I was so young that I looked like one of the students on campus. I was barely older than my own pupils. After working at Fedde for 10 years, I moved three miles up the road to Cerritos Elementary School to teach 6th grade GATE and I’ve been in this position now for 20 years. Usually teachers can retire after 30 years in California, but because I started at such a young age, I don’t meet the requirements for retirement yet. Since the school district is consolidating schools and moving 6th grade to middle school campuses in a year, I will likely be heading back to secondary school and I’m looking at going to a high school to do independent studies or teach Biology. In the meantime, it’s spring break vacation next week and I’ll be headed to Mexico, and then summer will start on June 1 and I’ll be off to Europe to my second home. That’s one of the joys of being a teacher, having the entire summer off, over two full months. But the biggest joy of teaching is getting to see the smiling bright faces of my students every day, and making an impact on their lives. I’ve taught over 2000 students and each one is a uniquely precious human being, and I’m honored to be their teacher, and guide them through a year of their lives. Teaching is not just a job, it’s a calling and I love it 🍎!

Huntington Beach, CA-Huntington Beach Mayor Pro Tem Butch Twining’s attempts to intimidate and silence me have backfired with his outrageously frivolous lawsuit. He was shown the door today in a humiliating loss in the California Superior Court. The fact is that he was at the rally while amongst known white supremacists and doesn’t like that he was exposed. Twining sued me when I exposed him for marching and chanting “while amongst” white supremacists at the September 10, 2025 Charlie Kirk rally at the Huntington Beach pier. Video of the rally, widely available, circulating online and seen by millions worldwide, showed that Twining was at the rally while white supremacists including Ryan Sanchez and Nick Taurus led numerous chants, including “white lives matter,” “fight, fight, fight,” and “white men fight back.” They spewed bigoted rhetoric. Twining should be ashamed of himself for not immediately speaking out against these men and instead attacking me for showing who he really is. He is abusing the CA Court system, wasting tax dollars. But, now he knows he can’t use his high-priced LA lawyers to bully his constituents into silence. Truth and justice have prevailed and our U.S. Constitution has been upheld. Butch Twining, the self-styled MAGA City Councilman and Trump clone, had demanded $25 Million in damages from supposed lost business and political advancement, from me. Now, he won’t be getting a penny. The tentative ruling was confirmed today at 2pm and he is now required under the anti-SLAPP statute to pay my attorneys’ fees and costs. Well known conservative, Judge Craig Griffin, presided. He was originally appointed to the Superior Court in May 2009 by Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Thanks go out to Judge Griffin for upholding our nation’s laws and protecting free speech 🇺🇸!