Candidate Profile: Cheryl Cook-Kallio For Alameda County Board Of Ed.

PLEASANTON, CA — Cheryl Cook-Kallio is one of three candidates running for Alameda County Board of Education's Trustee Area 7 in the June 7 primary.

Trustee Area 7 represents Livermore, Pleasanton and Dublin.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns. Below are Cook-Kallio's responses.

Age (as of Election Day)

67

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Husband: John Kallio, a retired English teacher. Children: Heather, Heidi, Nathan and Lauren. Our children have attended public schools in Sunol, Livermore and Pleasanton.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

N/A

Education

B.A. History, M.A. U.S. History with an emphasis on the United States Constitution. CA Clear Life credential in social science, authorizations in English and Spanish

Occupation

Teacher (ret.)

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Pleasanton City Council

Campaign website

www.cook-kallio.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I know it is an area in which I can be effective. I have 40 years experience in education, as a teacher and an advocate. I understand how government works and spent my career teaching civil discourse and how to become a participatory citizen to students in a public school setting whose mission is to serve all children in an equitable manner.

I have spent much of the last few decades serving as an elected, as a nonprofit national civic education nonprofit board member, numerous advisory boards and the CA Task Force on Revitalizing Civic Learning.

I have worked as a legislative advocate and analyst for both state and federal legislation regarding education. I am well respected in the education policy world and have an expansive network.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have the experience and the education necessary to do the job well. I understand good ethical government and how to achieve that end. As a local city councilmember in Pleasanton, I understand firsthand how important relationships are to get what you need from other government agencies and to form lasting partnerships.

Those relationships across different levels of elected officials and leaders in each local school district are crucial in getting the job done. Much of what the County Board members should be is advocates for the education of ALL of our students in Alameda County.

I am a fierce advocate for ALL children, from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our children get the best opportunities we can offer them. I am a product of Fremont Unified where I also taught my entire career. My children have gone to public schools in Alameda County.

I understand the interaction between the County Office and their oversight duties with local school districts and public charter schools. This is my home and where I have chosen to serve.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency?)

This is an open seat.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Fiscal responsibility and equitable use of resources is very important especially in how we educate those students in the juvenile justice schools and county authorized schools.

Teacher recruitment and retention is a critical issue before the pandemic and it has only gotten worse. The county must do everything it can to help qualified teacher candidates become credentialed and employed in this county. This includes ongoing professional development

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I must say the most fulfilling is when I hear from former students who tell me how I have impacted their life. It is also very humbling. From the student who was considered "at risk" succeeding in an advanced placement class, to one who said they would have never gone to college if I had not encouraged him. He is now a Vice Principal in the Tri-Valley.

I wish I could count the number of my We the People students (Constitutional Civic class) who have gone on to serve in some capacity. I have a former 8th grade student currently running for office who reached out and said I encouraged her. I KNOW THAT WHAT WE SAY TO YOUNG PEOPLE HAS AN IMPACT.

I was part of the leadership teams in the schools where I taught in Fremont. I taught at state and nationally recognized BLUE RIBBON schools and was on the team who wrote the reports. Three times I was the WASC Chair (Western Association of Schools and Colleges). This agency is responsible for accrediting high schools and colleges that help students matriculate to higher education.

As chair I was responsible for delegating tasks and writing and editing the evidence that led to a CLEAR 6 (highest possible) for our high school. These self-reflection exercises give a pathway for improvement and lead to understanding what makes an excellent school.

On a personal level, I have been recognized repeatedly for quality teaching, awarded a national merit scholarship (James Madison Fellowship) to study the Constitution and given the national American Civic Education Teacher Award.

All of these layers help me understand and put to use the lessons I have learned throughout my experience in education, from the impact on students to the leadership in my schools to being in elected office, to the personal triumphs. I know this is a unique perspective that will enrich the County Board of Ed.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

You can't get something for which you don't ask.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I believe in a well-educated citizenry. Please do the research and look at all the candidates. My record speaks for itself. I humbly as you to Vote Cook-Kallio for Alameda County Board of Ed District 7 on June 7th. Thank you for your time.

Cook-Kallio is running against Eric Dillie and Kate Dao.

Check out the full CalMatters 2022 Voter Guide here.