[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 175 (Monday, November 14, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1141]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING DOROTHY ``DOT'' THEODORE
______
HON. ERIC SWALWELL
of california
in the house of representatives
Monday, November 14, 2022
Mr. SWALWELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dot Theodore,
who concluded her service as a trustee oh the board of the Castro
Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) on November 9, 2022, after 8
years of service.
After receiving her Bachelor of Science in Biology from San Francisco
State University in 1998, Dot began to work in biotech research in the
Bay Area. In 2004, Dot and her husband chose to lay down roots in
Castro Valley. Dot then continued her education and obtained a Master's
in Public Health in 2013 from the University of California, Berkeley.
Currently, she serves as the interim director for the Alameda County
Public Health Department's Office of HIV Care, where she provides
support for local organizations that serve low-income individuals
living with HIV.
With 2 children attending Castro Valley Unified schools, Dot became
heavily involved in school affairs. From 2011 to 2016, Dot served as
PTA President for Castro Valley Elementary. In 2012, she served as an
executive board member for Creekside Middle School Parents Club. Dot
has also served on CVUSD's Local Control Accountability Plan Steering
Committee and recently served as the Head of the Safe Routes to School
program at Castro Valley Elementary. In that role, she coordinated
events promoting active transportation and safety for students. She
also participates with Bike/Walk CV to add more sidewalks in Castro
Valley.
In 2014, Dot was elected as a board trustee for CVUSD and re-elected
in 2018, serving as board president until her departure. While on the
board, Dot worked to embrace the growing diversity of the district and
ensure students could access a high-quality education at all grade
levels.
She has overseen new dual immersion programs, the creation of an
Engineering pathway for students, placement of social workers and
counseling support for elementary students, and the implementation of
culturally responsive curricula for educators. Dot was also
instrumental in creating wellness centers for students at Castro Valley
High School and both Canyon and Creekside middle schools through
Measure G Bond funds.
For 8 years, Dot has remained a fierce advocate for the students of
CVUSD and worked to ensure that the district lived up to its ``All
means all'' motto. Her presence will be missed on the board, but I am
sure she will continue to fight for our children. I join the community
in celebrating her numerous achievements on the board and wish her rest
and relaxation with her children, Ben, and Daphne, as she starts her
new chapter.
____________________