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The Alhambra Source reached out to each candidate, asking for a biography, platform statement and a few reader-generated questions. The Source does not endorse any candidates nor statements.

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Biography

I have been in our community, raising a family as an active AUSD parent, serving on the school board as a public servant, respected as a Project/Construction Manager in my profession, and I volunteer my expertise on many civic fronts.

I was born and grew up in Hong Kong. At age 18, I moved to the United States. After completing my education in Architecture (Bachelor of Architecture) at the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc), I began my career as a Design Architect and Project and Construction Manager. I started my family in the City of Alhambra where we have lived for more than 19 years. I am proud to be an Alhambra resident.

Until my appointment to the AUSD Board in January 2019, I served as a commissioner for the City of Alhambra Planning Commission, and the Alhambra Design Review Board for eight years. I also served on the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA/LA) and the Chinatown Community Advisory Committee (CCAC) to provide oversight for the local development. Currently, I serve as Board President on the Los Angeles Chinatown Firecracker Run Committee to promote health and fitness, education, cultural awareness, and community involvement.

Platform

As a current School Board Member, I have become recognized, respected, and depended upon for my results-driven, truth-telling, fact-based dedication to all AUSD students, parents and employees. In nearly 2000 hours spent on the ground during my current 22-month Board term, I have visited our high schools and elementary schools; actively engaged with and listened to students, teachers, and staff;  participated in parent, district, and Board forums and workshops; and am continually involved in volunteering at events throughout San Gabriel Valley communities.

It is through these many encounters that I seek to understand what my constituents need, worry about, and hope for — so together we can work to creatively problem-solve our current challenges, develop pioneering educational policies and programs of excellence to empower our children and to create harmony.

For my next 4-year term, I will continue to:

• Provide social and emotional support to all students, parents, and teachers impacted by the pandemic and by distance learning.
• Evaluate the impact of distance learning and improve student achievement.
• Improve school safety for students and staff.
• Monitor on-going modernization projects
• Develop a short-term and long-term vision to promote favorable school climate, including inclusion and the acceptance of everyone in the schools

My passion as an AUSD School Board Member: Education is the engine of our children’s future.

• Advocate for the school district and for public education in our community, locally, in the county, the state and nationally
• Build a communication bridge between parents and the school district. Connect with parents with diversity of experiences, viewpoints and background
• Act as a personal resource to help our Chinese-speaking parents and students
• Use my professional expertise in design and construction for the on-going District modernization projects and to improve campus safety
• Contribute to AUSD Career Technical Education program with my professional architecture training, background and experience

Responses

The pandemic has greatly affected learning in our schools. How are you going to ensure that every student receives a quality education?

As a Board Member, I will ensure that all students have access to learning, regardless of whether it is distance learning or in-person learning. Learning assessments shall be provided for each student and discussed with the parents to provide additional help and assistance. I will continue to support district efforts in working with teachers for curriculum adjustments and improvements as well as in providing supports for our teachers.

Do you have plans for addressing the long-term effects of the pandemic on Alhambra’s schools and their students to ensure there is not a “lost generation”? Please explain.

Since we do not know how long the pandemic will endure, we will continue to:

1. Improve the distance learning quality, and measure the results using different testing and evaluation methods.
2. Although technology helps us a lot during this difficult time, there are students in the district who may not have access to the technology. I will continue to support the district efforts in the laptop and hotspots distribution, alongside the necessary remote tech support in order that every student has access to the virtual classroom. I advocate looking into low-tech or no-tech solutions to support the educational goals.
3. Find creative ways to improve learner engagement, provide more on-line and off-line tools for teachers and students interaction, and provide more communication with parents.
4. Provide additional professional development for teachers and provide support to maintain their motivation for excellent teaching.
5. Seek to better understand and utilize the existing district resources, using dedicated roles and teams for specific functions, such as nurses, counselors, teachers, classified employee and district staff.  All decisions shall be made for the benefit of the students in support of quality, public education, equity, inclusion and diversity. “Keeping Children First.”
6. Provide additional social and emotional support to our students, bring education and health planners together to help identify the issues and develop plans for potential crises.
7. Continue to provide support for our parents through direct discussion forums, webinars, listen to their feedback, answer their concerns, and support the parents as they manage the home learning environment.
8. We will plan for different scenarios for school reopening, be prepared to switch back to full distance learning if advised by the Department of Public Health. Flexibility is the key in making appropriate changes and refinements at different times.

What is your plan for increasing funding for AUSD schools? Where would you allocate these funds first?

As California public education funding is shrinking, I will continue to advocate outreach to federal, state, and local entities for our education programs. For example, we have successfully secured the federal National School Lunch Program to allow free meals for all children under 18 living in our school district.

What recommendations would you make to the district when creating the curriculum for its social justice and equity training program for teachers and administrators?

I believe in providing an excellent whole child education system. Superb teaching and a productive learning environment are key ingredients for the next generation to become successful, contributing citizens.  I strongly support training for young children in independent and analytical thinking, social skills, and teaching students the importance of developing a sense of responsibility.

I will provide a short-term and long-term vision to promote favorable school climates where a sense of belonging and inclusion are valued. I seek to improve student achievement and will develop/maintain policies and organizational structure to support the board’s educational goals. As an example, I support the establishment of the Dream Center at the Alhambra High School and support Ethnic Studies in high school.

Visit Wing’s website.

 

Return to the main page for the other candidates’ biographies, platforms and responses.