Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein*

As the Board of Education Vice-President and a fulltime professor at Santa Monica College, Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein works every day to make the joy of learning a reality so that every child can thrive.

Over the past eight years, Tahvildaran-Jesswein’s skills in collaboration, innovation, and professionalism have resulted in: An American Cultures graduation requirement; the establishment of district-wide social justice learning standards; the expansion of project-based learning opportunities (PBL); and, a 9th – 12th grade PBL experience. Further testaments to his effectiveness on the Board are the District’s re-imagining the Malibu pathway, the many improvements to our classrooms and school facilities, and his commitment to fiscal responsibility.

Richard's response to the Santa Monica Democratic Club questionnaire