Full Biography for Gloria Matta Tuchman

Candidate for
State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Gloria Matta Tuchman for Superintendent of Public Instruction

Restoring the Promise of California's Schools

Gloria Matta Tuchman knows what a difference a good education can make in helping a child achieve the American Dream.

Born into poverty in rural Texas, Gloria spent four months living in a railroad boxcar. Although her father earned only $1 a day working in the cotton fields, he dreamed of a better future for his children, insisting that Gloria learn English and excel in school.

In 1963, Gloria became her family's first college graduate by earning her degree in Education from Arizona State University.

Inspired to help other poor families, Gloria started her career in the Head Start Program, teaching children with limited English skills. In 1967, she moved to California and began teaching at Taft Elementary School in Santa Ana.

Gloria Matta Tuchman still teaches first grade, but her voice is heard far beyond her own classroom. Elected to the Tustin Unified School Board in 1985 — she served twice as Board President. She has been chosen to serve on three national education boards, including an appointment by U.S. Secretary of Education William Bennett. Later she was named Woman of the Year by the League of United Latin American Citizens for her pioneering work in promoting "English immersion."

Gloria was the Co-Author and Co-Chair of the successful English for the Children initiative passed by the voters in June. Now, Gloria Matta Tuchman wants to use her experience as a teacher, school board President and national education leader to restore the promise of California's schools -- a promise that has been broken for too many of our children.