Adult Educator Wins School Board Seat 

Last month, longtime educator and adult school advocate Laura Chardiet won a seat on the Culver City Board of Education, giving the local California Adult School and disadvantaged immigrant students a stronger voice in the community.

From working with Persian and Russian refugees early in her career to helping adult schools statewide maximize funding through Workforce Investment Act grants, Ms. Chardiet has a proven track record for producing outcomes and effecting change. Insider caught up with her in December 2011 to talk about her background, the campaign, and goals for the future.

Q: How did you get involved in adult education?

A: In 1970, my father won the California Teacher of the Year award. It was a proud moment for our family. He modeled good teaching for me. Later, I became a teacher, I married a teacher, I studied abroad, and eventually I started teaching ESL. I believe in social justice and adult schools are one of the best channels for providing critical skills to some of the most disadvantaged populations in California.

Q: What skills and experience do you bring to the Culver City school board?
A: As a Workforce Investment Act Grant Advisor and Trainer, I have been able to maximize funding for schools. At LA Unified, a $3 million program became $13 million and is now $15.6 million. Two months ago, I became the WIA specialist for our division with a goal of increasing the federal funding streams for all of the schools in our area.

Q: Why did you decide to run for the school board seat?
A: I want to make all schools better. As a parent, I sent my own kids to a Title 1 school because I wanted them to experience a diverse socioeconomic environment with some of the most under-served populations in our community. By getting involved in their school’s PTA, I helped to increase parent involvement and improve the perception of our school in the community to the point where we earned an academic achievement award.

As a professional, I know how to maximize federal funding streams at a critical time for California Adult Schools. I thought that I could bring this same skill set to the school board in Culver City.  

Q: What are your goals in this new role?
A: I want to make all schools better and specifically to help the Culver City Adult School strengthen its programs that support K-12 mission. For example, we have Japanese and Spanish immersion programs in the district, and parent education is critical to helping parents support their children in school. Culver City is unique in that the community members value the adult school programs. Its popular fee-based programs are doing well. But we have a high percentage of English language learners who need additional programs.

Q: What lessons have you learned during the campaign and in the early days of your role on the board?
A: If you want to get involved at this level, start by attending school board meetings. You’ll see how decisions are made, understand how policies affect the district, and can make an informed decision about whether you agree with the board or not. I would also join the PTA or other parent organization to learn how to advocate for public education. Contact Laura Chardiet at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it