As we welcome 2026, I reflect on my 40 years of public service and what they mean. Public service provides vital functions like water, public safety, healthcare, education, and infrastructure. It upholds our democratic values and connects citizens to their government. Public servants should remain politically neutral and offer unbiased advice to everyone they serve. Throughout my career, I’ve seen colleagues in the public sector build community and economic stability, respond to emergencies, and address key social issues. My motivation has always been to create a positive impact in my community and work toward the greater good. Public service is a privilege — an opportunity to help shape a brighter future — and it plays a crucial role in our local communities, the state, and the country.
“To me, public service is more than just a duty; it’s a calling. It’s about recognizing the interconnectedness of our shared humanity and stepping up to make a difference.” — Jon/Moss MC/MPA 2024, U.S. Navy Special Operations (EOD) Officer
I became a teacher because a public servant, a teacher, had a very positive impact on my life. Brother Jerome Gorg, a Marianist dedicated to service, encouraged me to work in the math lab at my high school to tutor other students for credit and later as a volunteer. He often quoted Ben Franklin, “Tell me, and I forget. Teach me, and I remember. Involve me, and I learn.” Brother Jerry involved me in mathematics and teaching. He used a Socratic method, responding to questions with other questions to make me think. During one phone call, he reminded me of my service and asked why I kept volunteering after finishing my required elective hours. I said I enjoyed helping others and that tutoring helped me grow in my love for learning. Brother Jerry said, “I think you might have a calling to serve.”
In dedicating my career to public service, I have worked as a custodian, teaching assistant, classroom teacher, college instructor, and administrator. The first 10 years of my teaching career were spent serving English language learners and students living in poverty. The past 30 years have been spent as an administrator dedicated to promoting quality services. Gandhi said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Public service is a place to promote social justice in a democratic society. It is the responsibility of all concerned about our country to encourage highly qualified and dedicated public sector employees. The San Luis Obispo County Office of Education has written and received multiple grants that offer scholarships, program subsidies, and tuition reimbursements to support the recruitment of public-sector employees.
The San Luis Obispo County Office of Education collaborates with all districts, charters, and childcare centers to offer scholarships to pre-apprentices, apprentices, interns, substitutes, and current employees interested in further training. Those interested in public sector jobs within our local school districts — such as administration, classroom services, fiscal services, human resources, IT, maintenance and operations, support services, and transportation — should consider the support we provide. Contact your local school district or the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education for more information. Our taxpayer-funded system determines who we train and hire in our organizations. We should emphasize the importance of highly qualified, locally trained employees. Now, we need to encourage talented young people to pursue careers in the public sector. We can also urge those responsible for secondary and post-secondary education to expand their capacity and recruit highly qualified public sector professionals. It is an honor to serve as your County Superintendent of Schools.
