Passionate about education, Sarah Kirby-Gonzalez ran for school board and won in a special election in March 2013 because she feels teachers – who are immersed in our children’s education every day – should have a voice in policy-making. Sarah was elected again overwhelmingly in November 2014 and 2018. Her focus continues to be to improve neighborhood schools that parents, students, teachers and the community can be proud of. When first elected she reduced her teaching schedule by 20% to ensure she could give more attention to West Sacramento schools. She regularly volunteers and visits classrooms throughout WUSD, seeing firsthand the impacts of policy decisions in the classroom.
Since becoming a district trustee, she has helped lead the hiring of Superintendent Linda Luna and Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Hildreth, Sarah has supported the expansion of visual and performing arts programs, social-emotional supports for students, school gardens, and preparing students for the world beyond WUSD by expanding high school pathways, options, and supports. She was a champion of voter-approved Measure V and later Measure Z and has helped assure that those bonds directly improve the learning environment for West Sacramento students.
Sarah has completed the Masters in Governance program through the California School Board Association (CSBA). Along with her school board colleague Jackie Wong, Sarah was part of the inaugural, two-year CSBA Equity Network, earning the Yolo County School Board Association Excellence in Education Award for their work in addressing educational and racial equity challenges and improving opportunities and outcomes for historically marginalized students.
She is a National Board Certified Teacher, 2011 Folsom-Cordova Unified School District Teacher of the Year, and Area 3 Writing Project Teacher Consultant. Sarah has devoted a significant part of her career outside her own classroom – improving the quality of education by training and mentoring teachers and modeling best practices. She currently facilitates a National Board support program and sits on the College of Education Advisory Board for Sacramento State University. Sarah teaches a 4th-5th combo class in Rancho Cordova.
Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree, with an emphasis in child development, from Sacramento State University in 2003. She then went on to earn her teaching credential in 2004 and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction in 2008 from Sacramento State University.
Sarah and her husband have been residents of West Sacramento since 2007. Their two children are enrolled in WUSD. Outside of her role on the WUSD Board, Sarah serves as a Board Member of West Sacramento Play, a group of parents focused on improving the recreational opportunities for West Sacramento kids. She is also a Girl Scouts Troop Leader.
Washington Unified School Board Trustee, Area 5
About Sarah
Sarah Kirby-Gonzalez