Sandra Lee is one of the four candidates who are running to be a part of the Cypress School Board for the November 4 elections. Other candidates include Valeri Peters Wagner and Steve Blount, who are currently on the Cypress School Board; and Lydia Sondhi, a professor at the California State University of Long Beach. Out of these four candidates, three will be elected.
Lee graduated from University of California, Irvine for her Bachelor's degree, and earned her Master's of Education at University of California, Los Angeles. She has served as a public school teacher for over eleven years, and thus is experienced with the day to day issues that students and public schools must handle. Beyond teaching, Lee has served as a teaching coach and also worked at a district level in the Magnolia School District, through which she was able to work closely with teachers, principals, parents, and students, and also gain experience developing curriculum. As a mother herself, she also well understands the parents' perspectives and desires for their children.
"I am not a politician, and I've never run for elected office," said Lee. "I'm just a concerned citizen, mother, and teacher seeking to serve the students and families of our community."
Lee's pledge to the community is focused on putting in the school board's utmost effort to provide the best education for students. Lee desires to create a high quality curriculum that creates a strong foundation and prepares students for college and employment.
"The focal point of public education is each teacher in each classroom. How each teacher is trained affects the quality and quantity of the education," she said. "I believe we need to provide the best education that a child could have."
She also desires to create open communication and better understanding between the education department's employees, teachers, students, parents, and the community at large, as they dream together for the future.
As a Korean candidate, Lee said that she also wants to become a bridge for the first generation Korean parents, because throughout her years in public education she realized that these parents have had difficulties fully articulating their concerns for their children.
Most importantly, the main reason Lee decided to run as a candidate for the Cypress School Board was out of a confidence in the calling that God has given her.
"In Ezekiel 22:30, it says, "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.' I realized that the Lord must be weeping and aching as He sees the brokenness of this generation's education system. He is looking for those who will stand before Him in the gap on behalf of the land. I have no power nor ability to do so myself, but I decided to move forward boldly and confidently by faith to obey His calling."
"I've never considered going into politics, but my passion is in public education," Lee added. "Korean Americans need to give back to the community, and the best way to serve is to do it in something you're passionate about. I felt that this was an opportunity that God was providing, and He has been opening all of the doors."
Lee also expressed gratitude for Korean parents and the Korean church.
"If I look back on my life, I wouldn't have been able to make it this far without the sweat, tears, and prayers of my parents," she said. "It was also because of the Korean immigrant church, which allowed me to grow up in the faith and has always been there for me, that I was able to understand my true identity and receive this clear calling from the Lord."
Finally, she asked and encouraged the Cypress community to vote during the upcoming elections.
"To all of my partners in Christ - each vote that you give will directly affect policies that change our children's future. We must pray and act by voting, so that our voice will be heard and reflected in public education."
Rachael Lee translated and contributed to this article.
