Vote Dr. Vanessa Sheldon for PSUSD 2014 The very best for our children With Dean Vogel, President, California Teachers Association and Tom Torlakson, State Superintendent of Public Education The following persons/organizations have endorsed Dr. Vanessa Sheldon for election to the PSUSD Board of Education: COLLEGE OF THE DESERT ADJUNCT ASSOCIATION (CODAA) DR. BONNIE STEFAN, College of the Desert Board of Trustees Member JUSTIN BLAKE, Palm Springs USD Board Member, Ret. VIC SCARVADA, Hemet USD Board Member SCOTT HINES, Chairman/CEO, Hines Global Education, former mayor of Rancho Mirage "Vanessa Sheldon is an amazing professional. Not only is her music and performance among the best I have ever experienced, her professionalism, business savvy and overall kind spirit would make her so good on the school board." MATT MONICA, Desert Sands USD Board Member "I commend Vanessa for her willingness to run for an office as important as the PSUSD School Board. I am very impressed with her philosophy of education and the time she has spent preparing for this important office. Her Doctoral Degree and superior education expertise and training have prepared her well for this office." MAGDALENA M. ZEPEDA, Educator, Council Member, City of Coachella "I believe in qualified, hard-working candidates who are running for a leadership position- Dr. Sheldon is just that- a qualified candidate willing to work hard." HAROLD MATZNER "I feel that Vanessa will make an excellent board of education member." MICHAEL M. VARGAS, Val Verde USD Board Member. AURORA WILSON, College of the Desert Board of Trustees Member WENDY JONATHAN, Desert Sands USD Board Member DR. MARIA SHEEHAN, College President "Dr. Sheldon is an outstanding educator with the energy and insight to be a wonderful addition to any school board." MICHAEL WILSON, Mayor, City of Indio DR. JASON POWELL, Director of Strings, Palm Springs High School "It is vital that school district governing boards ensure the well-rounded education of every student. Math, science, English, reading, athletics, arts, etc., are all essential elements of education and must be represented by individuals who are actively involved in these areas. It is for this reason that I personally believe Dr. Vanessa Sheldon to be the absolute best candidate for the position of Governing Board Member for the Palm Springs Unified School District (trustee area 4). It is my belief and opinion that we need people who are active educators to make decisions about the future of our school district. Experienced education delegates like Vanessa know how to make the important decisions to best ensure the successful future of our children. I believe Vanessa Sheldon will be a great asset to our school board and help to achieve greater equity to our district, while helping to provide a well-rounded education, including college and career education, to every child." STANLEY WALDEN, Professor "It's a blessing to have someone as experienced and connected with today's education landscape as Dr. Sheldon is, willing to get involved in the rough and tumble of a school board. I heartedly endorse her candidacy." STEVE CLUTE, Former State Assemblyman CALIFORNIA WOMEN 4 WOMEN BUILDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA JOE McKEE, Desert Hot Springs Councilmember UNITED STEEL WORKERS Local 7600 INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS Local 47 DR. JACK POSTER, Teacher/Administrator, Ret., Professional Musician and Orchestra Leader "I have had the distinct pleasure of hiring Dr. Sheldon as a harpist in my orchestra for the past five years. She is a consummate professional and extremely knowledgeable about State Standards for fine arts and other subjects. She is an extremely intelligent person and well versed on all aspects of education in the public school system. I highly recommend this wonderful lady for the position on Palm Springs USD school board." JEAN WAGGONER, Professor of English, College of the Desert, Faculty Advocate "Students need more community advocates like Dr. Sheldon, a team player with the responsibility to do her part. I have seen her perform beautifully among students, musicians, college faculty and adjunct faculty advocacy groups, and while she plays beautifully as a solo harpist, she is also a supportive member of any group." MARK ZIEMANN, Music Specialist, Lincoln School District, Ret. "Dr. Sheldon's focus is on the students. She understands how the arts are the thread which weaves all subjects together and how a strong arts program creates a strong student body with less drop out rates and high graduation rates." KATHRYN HULL, Music Teachers of the Desert (MTOD) "Vanessa is an exceptional and intelligent arts educator involved in the community who recognizes the value of arts education." DR. RAINBOW CASEY, Physician and Educator "Dr. Sheldon has her finger on the pulse of the educational system and will tirelessly and rationally work for our children and community. She is enthusiastic, hard-working, competent, talented, super intelligent and will fight for us to keep improving education in the district" CALIFORNIA FRIENDS OF THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN CAUCUS CHUCK McDANIELS, Political Director, IBEW 440 "I‘ve interviewed hundreds of candidates for endorsement during my career but have never come across anyone more qualified for the position they were seeking than Vanessa Sheldon is for the Palm Springs School Board. Her academic history is astonishing. Accepted into college at 13, she earned a Ph.D at 19. Shortly thereafter Dr. Sheldon was recognized as the world’s youngest college professor. Vanessa Sheldon understands the challenges of today’s educators, having taught for more than 15 years on all levels from elementary through University in both public and private settings. As a CTA delegate Dr. Sheldon testified on pending legislation before the California Senate Committee on Education. Such in depth involvement and experience has given her an unmatched grasp of state and local education policies. Given the range of her experience and knowledge in the field of education, Vanessa Sheldon is the clear choice to represent Palm Springs on the Board of Education." UNIVERSITY PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL EMPLOYEES COMMUNICATIONS WORKERS OF AMERICA (UPTE-CWA) EVOLVE CALIFORNIA CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL OF RIVERSIDE/SAN BERNARDINO COUNTIES RUSS MARTIN, President, Mission Springs Water District STEVE McADAMS, Program Administrator, Cal State San Bernardino "Vanessa is smart, dedicated and will take her role seriously. She also works well with others and is inclusive with her efforts." KRISTIE IWAMOTO, Part-Time Faculty Issues Committee, California Community College Association AFL-CIO COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL EDUCATION (COPE) WESLEY WAGSTER, Community College Student "Dr. Sheldon is a brilliant mind dedicated to improving her community and making music education more accessible." PAULINA ANGEL, Transgender Student It's not very often you'll find an educator who really cares about their students and their future, Dr. Vanessa Sheldon is a prime example of what a true educator is. So, I, Paulina Angel, former student senator of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges in Sacramento, and a former student at College Of The Desert, endorse Dr. Sheldon's candidacy for PSUSD Board. JAMES WADDELL, President, World Education University "Dr. Vanessa Sheldon is the most qualified candidate for the Palm Springs Unified School Board (Trustee Area 4). As the Founding Dean of WEU’s College of Arts and Humanities, Dr. Sheldon oversaw the recruitment of faculty and led them in curriculum creation. Working with our Educational Design Department, she incorporated the latest technology and learning theory into the classes. Her educational vision, attention to detail, and time management skills are unparalleled. The main reason for her success, however, is her ability to relate to a diverse group of people. Vanessa has exceptional personal skills that enable her to work smoothly with students, faculty, administrators, and community groups. She is confident, but untouched by arrogance. Her ear is not just for music; in her presence one knows she is listening to one’s voice. Respectful of different cultures, ages, and genders, she evokes regard from others. An experienced teacher, she discovers the skills and knowledge of each student and guides each individual to higher levels. As an accomplished musician and performer, Vanessa is a role model for students. Theory, skill, and passion are all evident in her performances and are qualities that will make her an excellent board member. " TREVOR PELT, Community College Student "Dr. Sheldon is a brilliant and inspiring teacher. Her passion for music and the arts shines brightly in the music she creates and the knowledge she imparts to her students. Dr. Sheldon would make a great addition to the PSUSD." JOSEPH PARKER, Community College Student "After meeting her she seemed to be a strong advocate for student success. In these days we need leaders who put students first and it's my conviction she will do just that." YO YOUNGER, Coachella Valley Actress/Producer INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS LOCAL 440 DR. REBECCA ALVAREZ, Professor of Sociology, College of the Desert THE LOCALIST, Coachella Valley Political Group CATHERINE RUIZ, Student, Palm Springs High School Graduate CHRISTOPHER P. BAKER, Travel Journalist/Author "It is with great pleasure that I endorse Vanessa's candidacy for the Palm Springs Unified School Board. She has always impressed me with her enthusiasm and positive can-do spirit, her understated yet razor-sharp business savvy (and, dare I add, razor-sharp wit), her dedication to fostering excellence in education, and her genius-level skill as a harpist." THETIS PRESSLEY, Temecula, Retired DR. CYNTHIA SPENCE, Professor of English, College of the Desert FRANCES PEVELER, Ret., Ambassador, Osher Institute BRADLEY REYNOLDS, Vice-President, California Community College Association RICHARD DeSANTIS, Show Producer "She is an educator and a performer, a perfect marriage for introducing the practicality of education to students." SAN BERNARDINO/RIVERSIDE COUNTIES BUILDING and CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL Endorse Vanessa Sheldon Home Biography Democracy.com profile Contact Dr. Vanessa Sheldon for PSUSD Board Promote Your Page Too