How I can make a meaningful contribution to the Ojai School Board.

By Pauline Mercado

My qualifications to serve as a board member for the Ojai Unified School District.

Skills

As a psychologist and educator I have concentrated upon and practiced my communication skills so that I can relate to individuals on a variety of levels. I am bilingual and bicultural and feel that my understanding of another cultural provides me with sensitivity and tolerance for others. I believe I am a good listener and that I am able to capture the opinions and ideas of others fairly accurately. My decision-making skills have been utilized in both individual and group situtations for the betterment of personal,civic and educational choices. I attempt to reach consensus whenever possible believing that decisions made from mutual agreement are more longlasting and respectful to all participants.

Experience

My professional and volunteer experience is remarkably consistent in my focus upon youth and education. As a professor in the Charter College of Education at C.S.U. los Angeles I have had the opportunity to instruct future educators and to provide outreach to high school students through academic intervention programs. I have been a credentialled school psychologist for twenty years and have had the pleasure of working with parents and children with special needs. My volunteer experience in the Ojai Parks and Recreation Board,Ojai Valley Library Friends and Foundation,Ojai Valley Youth Foundation, and Ojai Red Cross has allowed me to interact with a variety of individuals and concerns ,thus, providing me with insight into the issues facing Ojai citizens.

Educational Background

As mentioned earlier I am a professional educator. I received my B.A. in Political Science at San Diego State University, M.S. in Counselor Education at San Diego State University, and my Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at U.C. Santa Barbara. I hold valid California credentials in School Psychology,Preliminary Administrative Services and Counseling for K-12. I am also a Licensed Educational Psychologist in the state of California.

In summary, I believe I can make a meaningful contribution as a board member of the Ojai Unified School District because of my skills, experience and educational background. Please vote for me and I promise to serve you and the children of the Ojai Valley to the best of my abilities.