Carla Hernandez, 27

27-year-old special education teacher Carla Hernandez is running for

Oak Grove School Board Trustee

. After seeing the inequities laid bare by this pandemic, Carla plans to implement anti-racist curriculums and address social-emotional needs of its diverse students.

Name: Carla Hernandez 
Age: 27 
Running For: Oak Grove School Board, Trustee Area 4 

What was the best piece of advice you received before running for office? 

The best piece of advice I received before running for office was a simple reminder that I am a qualified candidate and would be a great asset to the Oak Grove school board given that I am a strong special educator, a passionate advocate for our families, and a first generation queer latina that navigated education from a low-income household. When entering the world of politics, it is easy to believe that one needs a degree in public policy, years of experience, or to be connected with the right people or big donors. However, I was reminded by those close to me that my experience is a valuable asset and I already fight for the rights of our students and families in our schools and community at large. This is just demanding a seat at a bigger table to hopefully move us towards greater impact. 

When did you realize you wanted to run for office? When did the lightbulb go off?

“I saw the glaring inequities of our communities highlighted by how disproportionately this pandemic has affected those with less resources and felt that I couldn’t wait any more to demand more for our families.”

I have always had a desire to be a leader in my community, especially with the lens for equitable policy. That drive has motivated me to serve as a public policy fellow at Oakland Promise and First5 California and as the campaign manager for a now-trustee at East Side Union High School District, the high school district I serve. It has also made me a dedicated advocate for social-emotional and mental health resources on school and district teams and seek leadership development like that of New Leaders Council-Silicon Valley in 2017.

However, the lightbulb, or full-on-spark, went off at the beginning of COVID-19. I saw the glaring inequities of our communities highlighted by how disproportionately this pandemic has affected those with less resources and felt that I couldn’t wait any more to demand more for our families. Reflecting on the fact that Oak Grove elementary district feeds into the high school district I serve, I felt it was time to serve in an additional capacity. I want to make mental and physical health a priority and invest in our students and teachers from the very beginning. I know that after COVID-19 there will be long-lasting effects that board members need to be ready to address and support, and I have the experience and knowledge to address the challenges of a shifting landscape that our students and families are facing that affect their academic and social-emotional needs. 

You’re a special education teacher in the East Side Union High School District. How has your experience teaching during COVID? 

While it is the safest option to protect our students, multi-generational homes, and staff, teaching during distance learning has been difficult. We miss our students and the day to day interactions that we value to support our students’ growth or just connect with them. With the experience of distance learning, it’s frustrating to observe the digital divide and realize just how unfairly disconnected our families were before the pandemic. However, I am encouraged by the creativity and tenacity of both our students and teachers and the attention that the digital divide is getting now. 

“…it’s frustrating to observe the digital divide and realize just how unfairly disconnected our families were before the pandemic.”

As a mental health advocate, how do you think Oak Grove schools can support the mental and physical health of its students? What steps can we take to address the mental health crisis among young people that already existed, and has no doubt been exacerbated by COVID? 

Oak Grove schools have a wonderful opportunity of being the first school district our students will enter. From the very beginning, I want to prioritize social workers, mental health support that extends to not just students, but to their families as well. I also want to prioritize social-emotional curriculum throughout all subjects, safe spaces for students of all identities, and make sure we make room not just for academics but for real life skills such as communication, advocacy, resiliency and healthy conflict resolution. 

In addition, physical health is a priority for me especially from a nutrition and health access perspective such as eyeglasses or dental care. For our students to learn best, they have to feel their best and have to have access to the most fundamental resources. 

Racial justice is one of the main values of your campaign. In these times of national uprising around racial injustice, how do you envision advancing anti-racist teaching in schools? 

“

Community and values come first.”

I believe it’s important to practice what we preach and hold all stakeholders accountable. I envision advancing anti-racist teaching by starting at the foundation of the hiring process to prioritize hiring local diverse teachers and supporting them so that we invest in them and retain them. I also am highly motivated to address the disproportionality we see in suspension, absenteeism, and discipline rates by decriminalizing our youth and focusing on restorative justice and reflection, rather than punishment. I attended an unconscious bias training through ESUHSD and it was an experience I hope to bring to Oak Grove. I don’t believe one training resolves years of biases and racist conditioning, but by naming it and working on our own individual biases, we can ensure that the books we choose, curriculum we adopt, and the policies we enforce are anti-racist, inclusive, and compassionate. 

What is the best piece of advice you would give to another young Dem who is considering a run for office? 

Community and values come first. I would say to take the time to really reflect on what your values are, hold those closely with everything you do and every conversation you have, and that it’s important to remember that your work is with and for the communities you’re part of and that you serve.

The views expressed in this interview are those of the candidate, and do not reflect the beliefs and views of Ballot Breakers or its staff.