Do teachers support Jennifer Mak?
Yes. Classroom teachers who worked with Jennifer Mak are endorsing her for Torrance Unified School Board, Trustee Area D. Telle Skalak, a 2nd grade teacher at Castle Heights Elementary and the 2021 LAUSD Teacher of the Year, and Xochitl Becerra, a Cotsen Mentor and National Board Certified Teacher at Castle Heights, both worked with Jennifer when she served as the Hamilton Community of Schools Administrator in LAUSD.
Telle Skalak, 2021 LAUSD Teacher of the Year
“She knows kids, she knows classrooms, and she knows the curriculum.”
“As a teacher in one of Jennifer Mak’s former elementary schools, I saw how she led as the Hamilton Community of Schools Administrator. She is one of the leaders I’ve worked with who is still truly connected to the classroom.”
“She never came into our classrooms on a ‘gotcha’ mission. She came to celebrate excellent teachers and extraordinary learning, and teachers felt valued and supported because of it.”
Telle Skalak
2nd Grade Teacher, Castle Heights Elementary
2021 LAUSD Teacher of the Year
Read Telle Skalak’s full endorsement
Xochitl Becerra, National Board Certified Teacher
“She recognizes that supporting teachers is essential to supporting students, and she has consistently demonstrated her commitment to both.”
“She took the time to recognize teachers’ hard work and left thoughtful, encouraging notes for the teachers whose classrooms she visited. These small but meaningful gestures demonstrated how much she valued educators and the important work they do every day.”
“I am confident that she would be a strong advocate for teachers, students, and the schools they deserve.”
Xochitl Becerra
Castle Heights Cotsen Mentor, NBCT (National Board Certified Teacher)
What is a National Board Certified Teacher? It is a teacher who has earned an advanced certification on top of a regular teaching license. Teachers choose to do it, and it can take one to three years: they send in videos of their teaching and samples of their students’ work, take a test in their subject, and expert teachers review it all.
Read Xochitl Becerra’s full endorsement
Which educators have endorsed Jennifer Mak?
Ten educators have endorsed Jennifer: two classroom teachers, a bilingual educator, and seven retired and former school, district, and school board leaders.
- Telle Skalak, 2nd Grade Teacher, Castle Heights Elementary, 2021 LAUSD Teacher of the Year: “She knows kids, she knows classrooms, and she knows the curriculum.”
- Xochitl Becerra, Castle Heights Cotsen Mentor, NBCT (National Board Certified Teacher): “She recognizes that supporting teachers is essential to supporting students”.
- Laura Guijarro, Bilingual Educator: “What I admire most about Jennifer is her ability to lead with both expertise and heart.”
- Dr. Michael Romero, Local District South Superintendent, LAUSD (Retired): “I have known Jennifer Mak to be an outstanding teacher, exemplar principal and effective district leader who always put students and families first.”
- Dr. Adaina Brown, Former LAUSD Region West Superintendent: “Jennifer leads with integrity, listens thoughtfully, and consistently puts the needs of children, families, and educators first.”
- Mary P. Ring, Former Assistant Superintendent of Student Services & Torrance Resident: “She knows how a school day is built, how a budget decision lands in a classroom, and what staff can and cannot absorb.”
- Gina Ellis, Retired Los Angeles Unified School District Director and Former TUSD Parent: “I know her work ethic, I know her heart, and I know she will serve the Torrance community with distinction.”
- Linda Beck, Retired School Administrator: “an active and engaged listener, a solution-based leader who bases decisions on data”.
- Tracy Joseph, Retired School Educator/Administrator: “She has demonstrated proven leadership and a deep commitment to students, families and educators.”
- Dr. William Blischke, Former Torrance & Redondo Beach School Board Member: “I am sure that Jennifer Mak will be a great Board member.”
“Torrance students, families, and educators deserve a board member who understands what happens in classrooms every day. Jennifer Mak is that leader, and I’m proud to endorse her for the Torrance school board.”
Telle Skalak, 2021 LAUSD Teacher of the Year
See all endorsements
