Along with a friend, I founded a grassroots group of parents that spent two years advocating for improved reading instruction in Goleta’s elementary schools. In 2022, 40% of our students were not reading at grade level. Goleta Union is now making major changes to our reading instruction and we are seeing great results in our schools. Three of our schools have seen a 15% increase in reading scores in one year. GUSD just instituted a 85% reading goal for the next three years in the LCAP - and our leadership thinks they can achieve it.

As a result of this advocacy work, I learned that School Boards can have a major impact on student achievement and well-being — if they are focused on student outcomes, have clear goals, and use data to monitor progress towards those goals. I am laser focused on helping our students. I hope to set policies that support our teachers in their work, because without our teachers we can accomplish nothing.

I am goal-oriented, persistent, and collaborative. I am curious and make decisions based on evidence. I believe I have what it takes to help SBUSD’s School Board continue to drive school improvements. 

I grew up in New York City with two brothers and two sisters. My family valued education, especially since my mother is a teacher. I am a book-worm with a life-long love of learning. In my free time, I enjoy nature, hiking, and native plants. I am married and have three children. We live in Goleta.

About Celeste

Why am I running?

It all started with a newspaper article. When my son was in kindergarten, I read how parents around the country are advocating for their districts to adopt science-based reading instruction. Districts and states that have adopted science-based reading instruction have seen substantial increases in the number of students who can read proficiently.

Education and Relevant Experience:

  • Swarthmore College: BA Economics

    • Everett Public Policy Scholarship

    • Lang Foundation Summer of Social Action Award

  • UCLA: MBA

    • Forte Fellow - an award for women with leadership potential

  • Georgetown University: Certificate in Education Finance

  • Peace Corps: Environmental Volunteer in Ethiopia

  • BlueLabs: Established and managed operations for a data analytics company

I have always been a volunteer and an advocate for others:

  • Worked with a public interest lawyer to implement a restorative justice program at a High School in Chester, Pennsylvania

  • Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), advocated for a medically fragile foster child

  • Member of Kellogg Elementary’s School Site Council

  • Member of Kellogg’s Ocean Guardian’s Team (through the NOAA)

  • Kellogg Representative on GUSD’s District Advisory Committee