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2021 Position 1 Candidates
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There are two individuals running for the Pasadena ISD Board of Trustees Position 1 position, with only one seat available. Please read below for more information on both candidates.
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Noble J. Alix, Jr.
Noble J. Alix, Jr.
Email: nalixjr@att.net
CLICK HERE to view candidate video
Why are you running for Pasadena ISD School Board? Is there a particular passion that motivates you to serve?
Education is the best pathway to opportunity and a better quality of life. I champion that our children are able to obtain the highest quality, most well-rounded education possible. I have always been readily available to participate where needed towards that end. I firmly believe that Pasadena ISD has a good foundation in place to become the absolute best school district in the State of Texas. Understanding that multiple board seats would be open for this election cycle I felt strongly that the new voice to come in needed to be one of stability and thoughtfulness to continue building on the broad successes within the district. This is most important because of the pandemic crisis that has impacted every household in the district. Having a child in the district I know that my voice is qualified to articulate the experiences and needs of our families and teachers to realize the quality education that we desire. I am a Servant/Leader. As such, my passion is to serve Pasadena ISD with the proper consideration being given to all stakeholders. I motivate myself by not being one who complains about the darkness, I strive to light a candle to address the situation.
What qualifications, work experiences or volunteer efforts prepare you to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Pasadena ISD?
I am a Senior Vice President and Relationship Manager with Pasadena-based Texas Citizens Bank. My background in finance and in partnering with small business relationships has allowed me the opportunity to be well-versed in analyzing needs and bringing together solutions that best serve the customer and the bank. My career has also afforded me the opportunity to be of direct service to my community. As a long serving Rotarian and a two time Paul Harris Fellow I have served as Club President, Director, Service Chair and on the Dare to Excel Scholarship Committee. I serve as Deacon/Trustee and Financial Chair of the historical Progressive New Hope Baptist Church. I serve on the Board of the South Belt Ellington Chamber of Commerce as a member of the TECH Education committee. I have directly served Pasadena ISD as a member of the collaborative committees for School Safety, Strategic Planning and Safety & Security. My background has uniquely prepared me to be the best qualified candidate to serve as your next Pasadena ISD Position #1 School Board member.
The chamber has partnered with PISD on many initiatives, and one of the most successful has been the development of an internship program aimed at preparing our future workforce for local businesses. What accomplishment are you most proud of for Pasadena ISD?
There are a number of accomplishments within the district and many that the district has received recognition from the outside. Jointly, I am most proud that the most recent graduation statistics report a 90% graduation rate and that the district has the largest Continued Education program in the State of Texas. Together thee underscore the primary mission of equipping our students to be competitive assets in their chosen community when they graduate in Pasadena ISD.
Through the numerous unprecedented crises our community has faced, the chamber, like PISD, has had to innovate quickly and remain flexible in meeting the needs of the community. What challenges and opportunities for growth exist for PISD currently?
The paramount challenge remains the COVID pandemic. Clearly the pandemic adversely impacted the educational and personal growth opportunities for our students in a big way. Some students are off track or have become disengaged. These challenges present growth opportunities for the district. It is essential that we identify the educational strengths and weaknesses of each child and put a program in place to ensure that they get back on course to a quality education. The collective efforts of our professional teachers, counselors, medical staff, administration and school board will be vital to establishing a course that that will meet the needs of all of our children.
As a result of the 2019 PEDC strategic plan, the Chamber implemented IMPACT Pasadena, a leadership program to develop future leaders for our community. What is your personal leadership style? If elected to the Board of Trustees, what do you think your primary responsibility would be in leading as a trustee and how would you want to be remembered as a leader for PISD?
My personal leadership style is motivational in nature. I believe in setting goals and identifying the strengths and weaknesses within the team to chart the best course of action towards success. This philosophy includes a self-assessment. I believe that challenges lead to an understanding of personal character and self-discovery. On this path you achieve wins that will make the district better. I hope to be remembered as a leader who is a good listener who believes in the quality of each role within the district. From the Superintendent to the teachers to the bus drivers Noble Alix, Jr. understands the value that each team member brings to having a great family, a great team and a great district.
“If you have alignment from the mayor, the civic societies, the nonprofits, and business, you can get a lot done. If not, you are just wasting money.” Jamie Dimon, CEO, JP Morgan Chase. The Chamber’s focus is connecting our community, and we believe collaboration is the key to community success. PISD’s current strategic plan drives the vision for the district and is based on educator, parent, administration, business partner, and community input. How would you work to collaborate with the other PISD Board Members, the Superintendent, and stakeholders to accomplish the mission of PISD?
As a board member and as a champion for a successful school district I would be an ambassador to all things great in Pasadena ISD. As an ambassador I would be formulating and nurturing partnerships with our community stakeholders in the district. I would assist the administration in bonding with these partnerships to identify, create and implement the best ideas that would bring about the most well-rounded educational environment for our students and teachers. -
Paola Gonzalez Fusilier
Paola Gonzalez Fusilier
Phone: 832-403-1570
Email: paolaforpisd@gmail.com
Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: @PaolaForPISD
Website: Facebook.com/PaolaforPISDCLICK HERE to view candidate video
Why are you running for Pasadena ISD School Board? Is there a particular passion that motivates you to serve?
Raising my children and healing children from traumatic experiences has been my life’s work. How our children will recover academically and mentally from this pandemic really concerns me. This time has been traumatic for all of us but many kids are in danger of having educational gaps. I believe Pasadena ISD can be a special place where even the most vulnerable of our children can flourish and all children reach their potential. I offer a unique perspective as to the needs of a community in recovery and representation from all aspects of the human experience is valuable and needed on school boards.I have become concerned to see so many families choose our community to live but send their children to other districts, charter, and private schools. Every parent has the right to do what they believe is best for their children, but communities, local property values, and the health of our local economy and businesses can rise and fall on based on the quality of our public schools. Pasadena should be a destination for parents, business owners, and other community members seeking the best public education in the region... I want to help get us there.
What qualifications, work experiences or volunteer efforts prepare you to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Pasadena ISD?
I have three children currently enrolled in Pasadena ISD schools with a fourth child starting this fall. I am not only a parent and stakeholder, I am also a mental health therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered play therapist, specializing in child trauma therapy. My personal and professional experience gives me a unique perspective as to the needs of our students, families, and community as a whole.I served at The Bridge Over Troubled Waters as the sole child therapist for many years. I also served on the Pasadena South Rotary as Treasurer and on the scholarship committee which provides scholarships for graduating Pasadena ISD students. I volunteer with and contribute to various organizations that do important work in our community. I am active in my church, adoption/foster care community, and sports organizations. I have experience working in higher education, non-profit agencies, and businesses.
I am driven by my passion to help others, I work hard, and I am resourceful to achieve what is best for my community. These qualities are invaluable as trustees make decisions that impact the academic, social and emotional well-being, and safety of our children, teachers, staff and community.
The chamber has partnered with PISD on many initiatives, and one of the most successful has been the development of an internship program aimed at preparing our future workforce for local businesses. What accomplishment are you most proud of for Pasadena ISD?
I am proud that Pasadena ISD offers students options like early college, allowing many students to graduate with an associate’s degree and career and technology options to enter the workforce immediately after graduation. This evens the playing field for children that cannot afford to take on the student debt associated with four year college degrees. This also immediately enhances the community by having students join the workforce and begin using their skills in careers that enhance our local economy and help families thrive.I am the most proud of the Dual Language program in Pasadena ISD. My children are currently enrolled in Dual Language and are increasing their Spanish language fluency daily. This is important for families like mine from a cultural standpoint because cultural competency and fluency are a priority to my family. My children and countless other students in the Dual language program will enter the workforce with bilingual skills that will enrich their careers and help build and sustain strong cross-cultural bonds that are so important in our diverse community. Growing and continuing the development of these programs should be a priority to local businesses as they invest in the future of our community.
Through the numerous unprecedented crises our community has faced, the chamber, like PISD, has had to innovate quickly and remain flexible in meeting the needs of the community. What challenges and opportunities for growth exist for PISD currently?
Pasadena ISD is facing declining enrollment and continued competition with charter schools beginning as early as PreK. When families choose a home they choose a community and one of the biggest influences is the quality of the schools. As our community grows and diversifies, we have the opportunity to attract families that will spur development and economic growth. The challenge is to identify and address the shortcomings that lead families to seek education outside of our neighborhood schools. The opportunity to maintain community connections and build social capital through a robust public school system is attractive to young families and fosters community ownership and pride. Pasadena ISD should be the leading reason families choose to reside in Pasadena, and we have the talent to make it so.
As a result of the 2019 PEDC strategic plan, the Chamber implemented IMPACT Pasadena, a leadership program to develop future leaders for our community. What is your personal leadership style? If elected to the Board of Trustees, what do you think your primary responsibility would be in leading as a trustee and how would you want to be remembered as a leader for PISD?
I am a transformational leader. I am relational, empathetic, trustworthy and passionate. I motivate and support those around me to achieve common goals, taking in the perspectives of others while focusing on the changes necessary to foster harmonious collaboration.
My responsibility as a trustee is governance and ensuring community alignment. My role is to support the administration in understanding and addressing the needs and concerns within PISD to develop a community-driven vision, informed by the best practices locally and across the country. Our policies should allow our community, local economy and businesses to thrive. We should start with building social capital among community members and administration leaders to build trust, foster transparency and align expectations.I want to be remembered as a unifier, working successfully with all my fellow board members, the administration, our local businesses, and the community. A positive perception of our district throughout the community is invaluable in our plight to make Pasadena a sought-after community in which to reside.
“If you have alignment from the mayor, the civic societies, the nonprofits, and business, you can get a lot done. If not, you are just wasting money.” Jamie Dimon, CEO, JP Morgan Chase. The Chamber’s focus is connecting our community, and we believe collaboration is the key to community success. PISD’s current strategic plan drives the vision for the district and is based on educator, parent, administration, business partner, and community input. How would you work to collaborate with the other PISD Board Members, the Superintendent, and stakeholders to accomplish the mission of PISD?
Successful connections are rooted in alignment and relationship-building. Bringing those two aspects together with leveraging my talents and the talents of my fellow trustees will create an environment to deliver improved student outcomes for our community such as higher employment rates, improved health, and higher community engagement and participation. In this way, the wellbeing and education of children directly impact the economic development, the use and efficiency of taxpayer dollars, and ultimately, the quality of life in any community.
Although I am a proud Pasadena ISD parent, I recognize you don't have to have children in PISD to be a stakeholder. My family has had businesses in Pasadena for over 50 years. We are well respected and trusted members in the community with a history of working successfully with various stakeholders in and outside of PISD. Building on that legacy, I look forward to collaborating with many members of our community to reach the best outcomes for our kids.
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Advocates for Pasadena Businesses and Citizens.