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LWV League of Women Voters of California
Los Angeles County, CA November 4, 2003 Election
Smart Voter Full Biography for George J. Giokaris

Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Whittier Union High School District

[photo]
This information is provided by the candidate

Whittier is Home

I am 52 years old and a lifetime resident of Whittier. My wife of 30 years, Nancy, our two children, Glenn (25) and Emily (21), and I were educated in Whittier schools and all graduates of California High School. Except for the months away at college, my wife and I have both lived all our lives and raised our children in Whittier. We greatly value and appreciate the unique ideals, family values, and qualities that make our community so very special.

Educational Background

I graduated from California High School in 1969, where I served as student body president my senior year. I earned a bachelor's degree at Stanford University in history in 1973. While at Stanford, I played football for two years, and studied at Stanford-in-Germany. I earned a secondary teaching credential at UCLA in 1974, a master's degree in counseling at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) in 1980, and a doctorate in educational leadership at the University of Southern California (USC) in 1996.

Professional Career

My career as a public school teacher and administrator has spanned 29 years. I taught and coached at Buena Park High School for nine years, served as the principal of both Sunny Hills and Buena Park High Schools, and currently serve as the Deputy Superintendent of the Fullerton Joint Union High School District. In addition, I am currently an adjunct professor in the doctoral program at USC and in the master's programs at CSUF, teaching courses in educational leadership at both schools. I have also taught courses at Whittier College in the teacher education and master's programs.

My Family

My wife, Nancy, earned a bachelor's degree and elementary teaching credential at California State University, Long Beach in 1975. She taught for five years in the Bellflower Unified School District, and has served as a substitute teacher in the East Whittier City School District since 1986. Glenn earned a bachelor's degree at Stanford University in 2001, served one year as a project manager for Opportunity International in Uganda, and now works in Nigeria for a non-profit organization. Emily is a senior at the University of California, San Diego as a Human Development major. Emily completed a semester of study in Florence, Italy in the fall of 2002, and she plans to become an elementary school teacher.

Community Service

My community service activities have primarily revolved around education and youth activities. I served in the following roles at California High School: PTSA President (1995/96), and member of the athletic booster club, academic booster club, and PTSA for seven years; and grad night committee leader for two years. As an Eagle Scout, I was a parent volunteer for the Boy and Cub Scouts for nine years. As one of the first coaches of the Whittier National Junior Basketball league, I coached NJB teams for nine years. I also assisted as a team dad for Murphy Ranch Little League for nine years and several AYSO teams. Nancy and I are members of Whittier Area Community Church.

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 6, 2003 09:05
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