What can I do if my child is falling behind?
“I’m afraid my child is getting left behind.” Three things every parent can do, and why a late bloomer is nothing to be afraid of.
Read moreAsk Jennifer
Straight answers to the questions Torrance parents ask, in Jennifer’s own words. See them grouped by topic on Jennifer on the issues.
How will you support teachers?
“Once a teacher, forever a teacher.” Jennifer’s three commitments to TUSD teachers: a higher starting salary, raises that reach take-home pay, and real support.
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How did you run a school budget?
How does a principal decide where a school’s money goes? Start with the data, ask teachers and parents, and hold every dollar to one question.
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Former Richardson Middle and South High PTA president Michele Nadeau endorses Jennifer Mak
PTA president at Richardson Middle and South High, and a 26-year Area D neighbor: “I have known Jennifer Mak for over twenty years!”
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Former assistant superintendent Mary Ring endorses Jennifer Mak
“The ones that governed well had at least one member who had done the work.” A former assistant superintendent on why Jennifer Mak belongs on the board.
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Longtime Area D neighbor Maureen Dearden endorses Jennifer Mak
Is Jennifer Mak from Torrance? A longtime Area D neighbor answers.
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Why elementary school is so important
Students don’t fail Algebra 1 all of a sudden. Why Jennifer believes success starts in TK and elementary school.
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My lessons from 38 years in public education
“If we don’t believe in them, how are they going to have a chance?” What a Title I school, eleven struggling schools and sixteen principals taught Jennifer about leading.
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How do you choose a school’s textbooks?
“We taught it” is not the same as “they got it.” The three things Jennifer looks for before any textbook reaches a TUSD classroom.
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Should my fifth grader be using AI?
Not in elementary school. Jennifer explains why the early years should stay hands-on, and where AI does belong in middle and high school.
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What do our TUSD students need to thrive?
Four conversations with educators, from Long Beach State to El Camino to a TUSD high school, and the question they left her with.
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How can parents help a young child learn to read?
Jennifer’s advice as a principal and as a mom: know the grade-level standards, and read with your child every single night.
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“Is my child ever going to leave special education?”
A question a parent asked Jennifer more than 20 years ago, and how she wants TUSD to support families of students with special needs.
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