Opinion: Thank you, SFUSD!

After 16 years with the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), my two daughters have graduated and been accepted into competitive majors within the UC System. My family is deeply grateful for the excellent and equitable education that SFUSD has provided.

As an active parent volunteer transitioned to a parent leader and then an educator, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact SFUSD has had on immigrant, low income and marginalized communities.

Seeing the intentional work in fostering the collaboration among teachers, support staff, parents and admins, I find it undeniable that SFUSD’s mission is to strive to uplift all students. While there is always room for improvements, it takes each and every one of us working every day to make SFUSD a better place for our children and the future generation.

My younger daughter, who just graduated from Lincoln High School and will study Computer Science in UC Davis this fall, overcame years of Selective Mutism caused by social anxiety. She has grown into a confident presenter, showcasing a website she developed using Python - on none other than - the types of social anxiety, to the donors from Salesforce at a MissionBit fundraiser.

These breakthroughs were made possible through her participation in a Career Technical Education (CTE) course offered at Lincoln High School - Digital Media Design, as well as the unwavering support of the dedicated teachers, staff, admins, PTSA and the School Site Council.

My older daughter, a transplant patient since age four, was the reason why our family moved to San Francisco for her long-term medical care. For years, we worried that she couldn’t be physically active. However, her coach at Hoover Middle School encouraged her to compete at a citywide track meet, eventually sparking her passion for dragon boat racing.

Three years ago, she graduated from Lowell High School with honors and as co-captain of the CYC Dragon Boat team. She is now studying Psychology at UC San Diego. These achievements would not have been possible without the accommodations provided through her 504 Plan by the compassionate SFUSD staff.

Some believe SFUSD falls short or fails to do enough. I shared that sentiment a decade ago, which motivated me to volunteer at my daughters’ schools and later advocate at the school district level. I helped lead parents to successfully advocate for a compromise to the delay of 8th-grade algebra by persuading the school district to offer advanced math courses during the summer.

Over the years, I have seen SFUSD listen to the community and correct its courses. I have seen SFUSD has shifted from viewing excellence as the opposite goal of equity, instead embracing equity as a pathway for excellence.

I have seen SFUSD transform its discriminatory Parent Advisory Council to the Local Control & Accountability Plan (LCAP) Advisory Committee, ensuring equitable representation for over a dozen parent committees.

I have seen SFUSD put in all of its resources to secure a historic 30% pay increase for teachers and staff to retain educators amidst the competition from better-funded Bay Area school districts.

I have seen SFUSD pulled back from the unfeasible school closure plan, opting instead for a buyout plan to avoid layoffs of school-site teachers and staff.

SFUSD is not perfect. Like any institution that is powered by nearly 10,000 people, it makes mistakes and stumbles. As an ally, I have learned to view SFUSD as a work in progress.

As a parent leader, I have learned to give Central Office admins constructive feedback for positive change. As an educator, I have learned to give my admins and colleagues the fullest support possible, and go beyond my duty to bridge the gaps.

There is a saying: “What you focus on expands”. I urge my fellow education advocates to champion SFUSD’s potential, focus on the high student outcomes it can deliver, and to act as high student outcomes it can deliver, and to act as a parent or community partner to make that vision a reality.

Let’s be the “Warm Demanders” for SFUSD: “We support you. You may not always get it right, but we are here to help you address challenges. We believe in you!”

Thank you, SFUSD, for everything you have given to my family. Now, it is time for me and others who have benefited to give back, advocate, and defend the school district’s mission.

*Josephine Zhao is an inaugural member of the LCAP Advisory Committee and a founder of the SFUSD Asian Parent Advisory Committee. A 16-year SFUSD parent advocate, she transitioned into her second career as a paraeducator and substitute teacher, now in its 10th year.