Submit Date: Oct 07, 2022
First Name Last Name
Email Address
Street Address Suite or Apt
City State Postal Code
Primary Phone Alternate Phone
Employer Job Title
CITY OF SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA
Boards and Commissions Application
Profile
Please note, applications are continuously accepted to the City of San Jose Boards and Commissions. The Board or Commission you select may or may not indicate there is a vacancy.
Your application will remain on file for one year from the date of submission. During the year, your application may be considered for unanticipated vacancies.
Are you a resident of San Jose?
Yes No
What district do you live in? To verify, please click here: https://eservices.sccgov.org/rov/? tab=dt *
District 6
Length of Residency
6 or more years
Which Boards would you like to apply for?
Library and Education Commission: Submitted
Question applies to multiple boards
Kristen Brown
Woodhaven Preschool Teacher
Kristen Brown
Current Employer Address
Current Employer of Spouse
Apple, Inc.
Address of Current Employer of Spouse
Spouse's Job Title
Edge Operations Manager
If you or your spouse is retired and receiving a pension, please state source of pension.
Interests & Experiences
High School, College, Professional, Vocational, or Other Schools Attended. Please include Major or Field of Study, Dates Attended, Degree and Date of Degree.
Los Gatos HS (Class of '87), Santa Clara University (BA, Theatre Arts '91), currently enrollment at Grand Canyon University, AZ for a Masters in Early Education
List any position or office held in any governmental agency, civic, or charitable organization including the dates.
Vice Chair (June 2016-June 2018, September 2020 - June 2021) and Chairperson (June 2018-June 2020, June 2021 - present) for Community Advisory Committee for Special Education, SELPA IV Kristen Brown
Languages Spoken
English
Special Awards or Recognitions Received
Please state why you want to become a member of this Board or Commission including specific objectives which you would work toward as a member.
As a parent of two sons with Autism, an advocate for Special Education, and a preschool teacher, I value the need for further access and engagement in early and ongoing learning that our San Jose Public Libraries (SJPL) strives to provide. Services are based on community demand and pivoted elegantly during COVID. I feel that the scope of what SJPL offers is not well known and would love to advise on the current programs, innovation of programs, and community awareness of the value SJPL brings to the community.
Please state any other information which you feel would be useful in reviewing your application
In 2020, I ran for my local school board. I did not get the votes needed, but I did have a wonderful opportunity to connect with our San Jose residents. I am not yet able to support decisions for our local school board, I would like to be involved with our Library and Education commission because I have a lot to offer as a parent, teacher, and student. My advocacy efforts have me connecting with the most disenfranchised, families that are English learners and have children with a disability. The more we can build resources that meet the needs of the most disenfranchised, the better our community outreach becomes. I believe having a lens on this sensitive community is necessary for improvement across the city of San Jose.
Do you own property in the City of San José?
Yes No
If yes, please list the addresses here.
Do you rent property in the City of San José?
Yes No
If yes, is it a month-to-month lease?
Yes No
Question applies to multiple boards
Are you currently experiencing homelessness or have you experienced it in the past? Yes No
Kristen Brown
State and local law require that you abstain from participation in decisions that may affect your financial interests, including sources of income, interest in real property, personal finances or investments. In addition, if appointed, you may be required to fill out a disclosure statement which identifies certain financial interest beginning with the immediate twelve-month period prior to your appointment. Please review the scope of your board/commission in Municipal Code Chapter 2.08. Based on your best judgment, does this Board or Commission make decisions that may affect sources of income, interests in real property, personal finances or investments of you or your spouse? Yes No
If yes, please explain. Please identify any organizations, associations, corporations, or entities by which you are employed or associated that might be affected by decisions of this Board or Commission, and the positions you hold in these entities.
Reference 1 Name
Susan Smith
Reference 1 Address
Reference 1 Email address
Reference 1 Phone
Reference 2 Name
Eddie Truong
Reference 2 Address
Reference 2 Email address
Reference 2 Phone
Supplemental Questions
Kristen Brown
If applicable, have you ever attended or watched a meeting of the Commission(s) to which you are applying?
Yes
No
Would you be available to attend meetings at the scheduled time?
Yes
No
Please describe your experience in serving on a Commission or Board.
I am just starting on the Library Commission in a seat that is near end of term.
I was appointed in early
April for a term ending in June. This is just enough time to get my feet wet, and I would like the opportunity to serve longer.
Considering your experience and activities in business, labor, School, professional, social,
Commissions, Boards, or other organizations, indicate the experience, training, knowledge and/or skills which qualify you for appointment to the selected commission(s).
I have been a Chairperson and Vice Chair for the Community Advisory Committee for Special Education.
I
have also attended the SVO's Candidate Cultivation Academy to learn more about local policy as well as campaigning.
I am a bit of a meetings nerd, so you will see me pop up at Councilmember, County Supervisor, and community meetings.
I have advocated for educational rights of students and recognize the complex systems that are in place for them are mirrored in many systems of policy.
What is your understanding of the purpose of the Commission? To advocate and participate on a team with the goal of continuing the education and library services our community needs.
This involves collaborating with community members so that we are offering high quality programs to serve and support this cities changing needs.
Please list three issues facing the City that you feel the Commission should address.
Digital literacy COVID-19 Learning loss Outreach to the disabled Kristen Brown
(Optional) Please upload a resume.
Question applies to
Library and Education Commission
Do you have a background in early care and education issues?
Yes
No
Question applies to
Library and Education Commission
What involvement have you had in library and/or early education issues? I am a parent and started a Reading Buddies program at Willow Glen High School one year. During COVID, I was a volunteer with Reading Partners.
Early literacy skills are very important, contributing to the school to profession pipeline.
I note that parent engagement is key in early learning, and find local public schools fall shy yet charter and private schools create a better culture of family engagement. SJPL has an opportunity to build a city wide culture of family engagement I would love to grow.
Question applies to
Library and Education Commission
Would you be willing to attend local special events/meetings as a representative of the Library and Early Education Commission?
Gladly.
I love community engagement and learn a lot more about our community when asked to go outside of my own circles.
Anything else you would like us to know?
Our library system is part of the commitment to level the playing field for those in poverty in life long learning. Literacy is such a key factor in life long success. I look at how San Jose Libraries created pods, adult literacy, English as a second language, the art installations from the community they house, the staff training in mental health and deescalation, meeting the meal needs of students over summer school break, and so much more.
Libraries are more than a place to go check out a book this day and age.
It is
very exciting.
It would be my honor to continue with this commission.
Retirement Board Questions Only
Kristen Brown
Verification
By checking the box below, you agree with the following statement.
I agree that all of the information contained in my responses to the questions on this application are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I further agree that, by checking the box below and submitting this application, online or otherwise, I am affixing my digital signature to this form as of the date submitted.
I Agree
*
Kristen Brown