Gonzalez
Gabriela Gonzalez
Pronouns: She/Her
Director District 4
Video Statement
Statement of Interest
Candidates were asked to submit a letter of interest describing why they wish to serve and should be selected for appointment.
Dear Seattle School Board Members,
I am writing to express my interest in joining the Seattle School Board, driven by my deep belief in public education’s transformative power. As a first-generation college graduate from a single-parent immigrant household, I have personally experienced how education can be a pivotal means to unlocking opportunities for a better life. This background has instilled in me a profound appreciation for the challenges and triumphs associated with navigating the education system, fueling my desire to give back.
My commitment to public education is rooted in its potential to uplift individuals and communities alike, providing a foundation for success and societal advancement. It is this belief that motivates my desire to become more involved in our local community, specifically in an area as critical as education. Serving on the school board would allow me to contribute my unique perspective and experiences towards enhancing educational outcomes for all students.
Professionally, I bring a unique background with strengths in analytics, which I am eager to leverage to support the board’s efforts. My analytical skills enable me to approach complex issues with a data-driven mindset, facilitating informed decision-making and innovative solutions to the challenges our school district faces. This approach, combined with my firsthand understanding of the educational barriers faced by underrepresented communities, positions me to make a meaningful impact.
I am acutely aware of the challenges confronting the Seattle School District, from ensuring equitable access to education to addressing the diverse needs of our student population. I admire the board’s dedication to providing quality education for every student and am committed to contributing to these efforts.
In conclusion, my passion for public education, combined with my unique personal and professional background, fuels my desire to serve on the Seattle School Board. I am eager to work collaboratively with fellow board members, educators, parents, and students to create an inclusive and effective educational environment. Together, we can continue to make significant strides toward a future where every student in our district has the opportunity to thrive.
Thank you for considering my application. I am committed to making a positive difference and look forward to the possibility of contributing to the ongoing success of our schools.
Sincerely,
Gabriela Gonzalez
Resume / Summary of Related Experience
Tell us about your experience, including any Board or other leadership experience.
As a seasoned leader with a rich background in spearheading strategic initiatives and cultivating high-performance teams, my journey has been marked by a deep commitment to innovation and excellence. With a focus on designing and implementing data and analytics platforms, I have driven accelerated growth and delivered solutions that are both high-value and creative. My approach to leadership is characterized by vision, resilience, and the ability to maintain poise under pressure.
Throughout my career, I have ascended to various leadership roles, culminating in my most recent position as Chief Data Officer for a leading boat sharing marketplace. My leadership trajectory can be traced back to my formative years in public school, where I embraced leadership roles with enthusiasm, serving as president of my high school and later, as president of the Beta Alpha Psi chapter at my university.
In 2023, I was honored to be selected for membership in Chief, an esteemed network of senior executive women, recognizing my contributions and potential as a leader among peers.
My experience extends to working closely with Boards, where I have played a pivotal role in the preparation and presentation of materials, showcasing my ability to communicate strategic insights effectively. This responsibility highlights my proficiency in engaging with high-level stakeholders and influencing decision-making processes.
The breadth of my leadership experience spans organizations of varying sizes, enabling me to adapt and lead effectively through collaboration, influence, and integrity. This diverse exposure has equipped me with the skills to navigate complex challenges and inspire teams to achieve collective success.
Notable positions include:
- Business Consultant at Andersen, where I partnered with businesses to tackle critical challenges.
- Various leadership roles within Hotels.com and Expedia Group, contributing to my extensive background in travel and technology.
- Vice President at A Place For Mom, where I gained insights into the importance of empathy and humanity in addressing the challenges faced by families seeking senior living options.
Application questions
What is your connection to the Director District 2 or 4 community, schools, families, and students? How do you foresee growing or expanding on those connections and relationships in your role as a School Board Director?
We chose for our daughter to enroll in the public education system, opting for Queen Anne Elementary option school. Our belief in the advantages of public schooling was reinforced after interacting with the parents, teachers, and administrative staff. The collective dedication and kindness displayed by everyone involved have left me deeply impressed and appreciative of their commitment. I plan to work on strengthening partnerships with local organizations and businesses to create more opportunities for students, such as internships, mentorships, and community service projects, thereby enriching their learning experience and preparing them for future success.
What is your understanding of the role and responsibilities of a School Board Director and the Seattle School Board? How do you foresee working with your fellow Directors, the Superintendent, staff, and the public?
My primary responsibility is to ensure the strength and effectiveness of our school district, which includes establishing clear and effective policies, and adopting a balanced budget to support our educational goals. My focus is on making decisions that contribute to a robust and thriving educational environment, always with the best interests of our students at heart.
Describe the areas of strength you bring to collaboration and building positive working relationships with fellow Board directors.
I strive to bring value to the school board through three fundamental approaches: carefully framing the problem statement, asking the right questions, and applying a data-driven analytical approach to clarify discussions. By focusing on clearly articulating the issues faced, I aim to ensure efforts are directed and meaningful. Identifying the essential questions helps to focus attention where it can have the most significant impact, making conversations both relevant and strategic. Emphasizing a data-driven and analytical approach, I believe in grounding decisions in evidence and insights rather than assumptions. This not only improves the quality of decision-making but also fosters a culture of accountability and transparency within the board. I see my role as facilitating more focused and effective governance, always with the aim of serving our educational community as best as I can.
Please give an example of how you have addressed conflict and overcame it to build alignment as a member of a group decision-making body.
In my field, I’ve frequently encountered situations where I’ve had to deliver unfavorable news, inevitably leading to conflict since accepting this news is crucial for exploring possible solutions. To navigate through these challenges, my approach centers on active listening and being intentionally present in the conversation. By doing so, I ensure that I fully understand the concerns and perspectives of the other parties involved. This method has proven effective in moving beyond initial resistance towards constructive dialogue. By fostering an environment where every voice feels heard and valued, we’ve been able to collaboratively identify paths forward, thus transforming potential discord into aligned action. This approach not only mitigates the conflict but also strengthens the group’s cohesion and decision-making efficacy.
School Board Policy No, 0030, Ensuring Educational and Racial Equity, includes the following commitment:
The Seattle School Board is committed to the success of every student in each of our schools and to achieving our mission of ensuring that all students graduate ready for college, career and life. We believe that the responsibility for student success is broadly shared by District Staff, administrators, instructors, communities and families. We are focused on closing the opportunity gap and creating learning communities that provide support and academic enrichment programs for all students. Additionally, we believe that it is the right of every student to have an equitable educational experience within the Seattle Public School District.
What does this statement mean to you?
This statement deeply resonates with my own journey and the profound impact public education has had on my life. Public education stands as a powerful force for transformation and upliftment. It ensures that every student, irrespective of their background or challenges—be it language barriers for English as a second language learners, attention difficulties like ADHD, home instability, or the need for advanced learning opportunities—has the chance to succeed. This inclusivity not only enriches individual lives but also strengthens our community as a whole, demonstrating the critical role of accessible education in driving personal and societal progress.
The Seattle School Board has set three goals for student outcomes with accompanying metrics that serve as broader indicators of the school system’s performance. Provide your insights into how setting goals and monitoring progress influences student success.
Based on recent progress monitoring, it appears that the goals set for 2024 are at risk of not being met. From my experience, achieving multi-year goals necessitates regular monitoring and realignment. This realignment should not aim to change the goals but rather to identify which strategies and tactics are effective and which are not. Such insights should lead to adjustments in execution. I believe that it is essential that students are kept informed about these goals. Frequent communication and the celebration of minor achievements are crucial in keeping students engaged and motivated.
Please share your knowledge and/or thoughts on an ongoing educational issue that is a high priority for you. How do you see the Board’s role in this issue?
It depends on the student population, for me financial education is crucial for high school students to prepare them for responsible money management in adulthood, while middle school students would greatly benefit from guidelines on social media use to navigate digital spaces safely, and teaching healthy eating habits to elementary students lays the foundation for a lifetime of wellness and positive food choices.