Jenniffer Gonzalez, a 19-year Summit County resident, is running for a seat on the Summit Board of Education in the Nov. 7 election. 

Originally from Panama City, Panama, Gonzalez became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2010. She worked as a case manager for the Summit Community Care Clinic for 15 years before becoming a family coordinator for the Summit County government’s Youth and Family Service department. 

She has a fifth-grade daughter attending Dillon Valley Elementary. In a candidate statement sent to the Summit Daily News, Gonzalez said she is “very concerned about the current condition of our school district and its failing performance,” in particular for Latino children. 

As a board member, Gonzalez listed several ways she would seek to improve academic success including modeling proven curriculums used by successful schools and other school districts, expanding tutoring resources to kids that are struggling and encouraging parents to be involved in their childrens’ education by communicating their performance, attendance and needs.

Gonzalez states she will also embrace the differences among students and create opportunities for them to share their unique backgrounds and experiences to create a culture of respect, acceptance and kindness. 

In total, four board seats are up for election this November, with eight candidates announced so far.