Veronica Miramontes

I would like to acknowledge the Ohlone People who are the first caretakers of this land and still carry their existence today. As a mother of three, Chicana Indigenous woman, restorative justice practitioner, former Monterey High soccer coach, former teen mom, active community member, and much more; I am honored to be the first Latina to serve as a board member. I humbly thank our community for electing a hardworking woman like me into office. I also serve as your Region 9B for the California School Board Association, a Director at Large for the California Latino School Board Association, and Board Member for Community Human Services of Monterey County.

I moved to the peninsula in 2009 as a transfer student to CSUMB with my 3-year-old daughter (now a brilliant 19-year-old young woman). I obtained my BA in Human Communications with a double concentration in Creative Writing/Social Action and Journalism/Media Studies. My aspiration to be a first-generation college graduate is due to a promise I made to my mother and to my father, who migrated from Mexico at 17 years old, looking for more than his third-grade education. His first job was picking strawberries for long hours and making less than 20 dollars a day. I am proud of my story and familia for overcoming homeless insecurities and cultivating generational resilience.

Building People Power: with my history in restorative and social justice I have trained volunteers, teachers, classified staff, and students in mediation, effective communication and conflict resolution. I have also facilitated these efforts directly on the ground at MPUSD, and other districts in the state as well as carceral institutions. I believe social and emotional support is vital and addressing historical structures that have resulted in the oppression and lack of opportunity for communities of color. My 11-year career in the nonprofit sector has taught me a lot, including unlearning harmful rj practices and reclaiming practices as an indigenous person. This work landed me at MILPA, a local community-based organization who honor cultural healing through intergenerational practices and more.

My greatest joy in life is spending quality time with my family, community, and colleagues to build a future with the next generation. We truly thrive in community when lift each other up to achieve goals and overcome adversities that still exist.