Theo Oshiro:
Experience.
Commitment. Collaboration.

I moved to the United States from Peru when I was four years old. My parents’ vision, like so many others who have come to this country, was to see their children have access to quality education and, through that education, have a chance at making a difference in the world. I now have two children of my own who attend CET and PVC. I am grateful for and proud of the quality public education they have access to here in Croton, which includes strong academic programming, health, enrichment and social-emotional resources.

But I also believe that public education will always be a work in progress. We are at a pivotal moment as a community, as a state, and as a country. We are seeing the dismantling of institutions meant to protect people, attacks on our climate, and threats to democracy itself. We as a community must respond in ways that nurture our youth who will be the caretakers of our future. I also believe that working to improve our neighborhoods, our local policies, our local systems has a reverberating effect and will ultimately help restore our democracy. 

A crucial piece part of the way forward must involve doubling down on our commitment to public education, with involvement from parents, families and caregivers. 

It is crucial that we involve Croton families that have been here for generations, families newly calling Croton home, and families who have faced language, economic or other barriers in being involved in our public school community. Together, we are stronger, and we owe it to our children to come together as a community for them.

I believe my professional background running a major social justice organization is an asset to my service as a Board of Education member. My day-to-day work involves
understanding the needs of people and working alongside them to create change in various areas - from education to immigration justice, from worker rights to LGBTQ issues. My work has taught me the importance of listening in creating change. Through my work I must constantly listen to the needs of people, absorb data from various sources, collaborate with stakeholders, and work towards progress in service of larger goals. As a leader, I am constantly challenged to be bold in the face of monumental challenges and to use every tool at my disposal to create lasting change.

I believe that everyone should meaningfully see themselves reflected in the community and that we must work extra hard to involve families who have historically not been part of the conversation. I also believe that our district should uphold key values:

1) Equity: we must take into account disparities that
exist in our society, lift up the most vulnerable children and families and create solutions that move us to greater inclusion;

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2) Collaboration: we must include the voices of all
stakeholders and prioritize goals that involve students, families, administrators, educators, and all who have a role in the development of our young people;

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3) Transformation: we should prioritize solutions that have the best chance of creating major change where it is needed. We should keep what is working but be bold in our vision to tackle challenges that have been intractable.

I look forward to engaging with Croton families in the weeks ahead leading up to the May 20th school board election and, if I am re-elected, to continue to hear your ideas on how to strengthen public education here in Croton. I hope we can partner to envision a bright future together.

Theo Oshiro

Candidate for Re-election to the Croton-Harmon UFSD Board of Education