Giving back to the Coastside that raised me...

Our challenges are not our destiny.

They are our OPPORTUNITIES.

I came to this country when I was four years old and grew up the daughter of farmworkers on the Coastside, where I have lived ever since. As a kid, I spent time myself after school and on weekends planting and selling our products at small markets, helping build a work ethic (and love for sunflowers!) that sticks with me through to this day.

A proud product of CUSD -- from Hatch Elementary, through Cunha Intermediate, and finally graduating from Half Moon Bay High School, and then receiving my degree from the College of San Mateo, I'm grateful to now raise my daughter in our local public schools and the community I love.

For nearly 20 years, I've worked in San Mateo County's juvenile justice system, directly counseling and supporting students who 'the system' has largely failed. For the past eight years I've also proudly served on the Cabrillo Unified School District Governing Board, including two years as Board President, in large part to make sure every Coastside student has the opportunity to achieve their absolute greatest potential.

Through the COVID-19 pandemic, school funding insufficiencies, and other challenges, I've never given up on the power of our community to come together and do good for our kids -- and our future.

I'm extremely proud of the work our district has done to expand early childhood education, intermediate school social-emotional learning, and high school college and career-preparatory coursework and other hands-on learning experiences. We've improved labor relations, stabilized our finances, and progressed a district-wide revamp of our facilities. Yet there is so much more work to be done.

Listening to a wide variety of school community members, from parents to teachers to students themselves, I incorporate in my approach to governance not just the views of those who have the ability to speak at public board meetings, but those whom I go out and meet where they are.

Recognizing that we live in one of the wealthiest counties in one of the wealthiest states, I have also made it a priority to build relationships with fellow local, state, and county elected officials and local nonprofits as our partnerships help us move forward in unison not only directly in public education, but in related basic needs including housing and food security.

As the first and only Latino board member ever elected in a district where more than half of students share this heritage, I'm running to ensure ALL Coastside students have the opportunity not just to survive -- but to THRIVE. I am ready to continue our hard work -- and hope you will join me!

Cabrillo Unified School District Board Trustees are elected by Trustee Area -- I'm running for re-election in Trustee Area C, which includes the Princeton, Pillar Ridge, West and East Miramar, Casa Del Mar/Kehoe, and Pilarcitos neighborhoods. Stay tuned for more upcoming events, volunteer or donate to our campaign, or just drop me an email at lizetcorteshmb@gmail.com if you'd like to share thoughts or connect!