PACIFICA SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE
Kelly Mendoza, PhD
She/Her | 2-year term
Education Programs Leader. Parent. Strategic Thinker.
FUTURE FOCUSED
Prepare for what is next.
“We don’t serve students well by simply reacting to what’s in front of us. We need to understand the full picture, listen to perspectives beyond our own, consider the consequences of our choices, and plan for what comes next for our students. That’s how we create schools that are prepared for the future.”
Kelly's Priorities
Plan for stability
Set goals
Establish clear priorities to align district work with long-term stability and growth.
Be proactive
Identify challenges before they become problems, rather than putting out fires.
Spend smart
Develop a clear district long-term plan for technology and AI that protects students while supporting innovation in learning with responsible investments.
Listen and
engage with
all persectives
Make it easy
Provide regular, accessible ways for families, staff, and students to share their perspectives.
Reach out
Invite to the conversation missing voices and perspectives that should be represented.
Listen to understand
Work to understand different perspectives and the needs behind them before making decisions.
Make informed
decisions
Get the info
Require data and accurate information before making major decisions.
Think it through
Consider strengths, weaknesses, risks, and potential impacts before choosing a course of action.
Reflect and learn
Learn from results by using outcomes and feedback to evaluate what worked, what didn’t, and what should change going forward.
About Kelly Mendoza
Kelly is a Pacifica community member, education professional, and parent of a child who attended Pacifica’s wonderful public schools. With a Master’s in Communication and Rhetoric, and a PhD in Media and Communication, Kelly is trained in communication methods that lead with curiosity, practice active listening, and creating space for multiple perspectives.
As an education programs leader, Kelly has spent her career helping students, educators, and families navigate our rapidly changing world of media and technology. She has served in senior leadership roles at organizations including Common Sense Media, which helps kids, parents and educators navigate the digital world. She has led the development of award-winning curriculum and resources reaching millions of students—advancing online safety, media literacy, and digital well-being.
Kelly is running because she believes that schools are the cornerstone of the community, and supporting our schools is essential to help children learn to be critical thinkers, and thrive as responsible and engaged citizens. She is prepared to help the district with responsible decision-making, long-term planning, technology and AI vision, while equipping students to be prepared for the future.