Ahead of the June primary election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.
Name: Raquel Zamora
Current job title: Teacher and Counselor
Age: 44
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: None
City where you reside: Los Angeles
Campaign website or social media: raquelzamora.com
How should LAUSD address declining enrollment and long-term budget challenges while protecting student programs and classroom instruction? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
LAUSD’s declining enrollment and long‑term budget challenges require a thoughtful, student‑centered approach that protects classroom instruction and essential programs. Declining enrollment is not unique to LAUSD and reflects national trends driven by the high cost of living in Los Angeles, lower birth rates and a decline in newcomers due to the current political climate. While these factors are largely outside the district’s control, how LAUSD responds is critical.
From my perspective as an educator, budget decisions must always prioritize students and classrooms. That means protecting core instructional programs, maintaining reasonable class sizes and preserving vital supports such as counselors, librarians, nurses and special education services. When cuts are necessary, they should focus on reducing administrative inefficiencies and better utilizing existing resources — not taking supports away from students who need them most.
LAUSD can also stabilize enrollment by investing in programs that families value, including magnet and dual‑language programs, strong special education services and specialized career pathway programs that prepare students for college and the workforce.
As a school board member, I would advocate for rethinking how schools are funded. The current ADA‑based model disproportionately harms schools in high‑need communities. I would push for more equitable funding and continue advocating for increased state and federal support. If we consistently center students and families in our decisions, we can meet these challenges without compromising educational quality.
What steps would you take to improve academic performance and reduce achievement gaps across the district? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
LAUSD has made meaningful progress in improving academic performance and reducing achievement gaps, and that progress is largely due to the tireless work of educators in classrooms every day. Teachers have been committed to meeting students where they are, using data-driven instruction, culturally responsive teaching and equity-based practices to better support diverse learners. These efforts have helped move the needle, but there is still more work to do.
To continue building on this progress, we must provide teachers with stronger, consistent support. That means investing in high-quality professional development that is directly tied to classroom needs, expanding instructional coaching and ensuring teachers have access to the resources, planning time and collaboration opportunities they need to be effective. Equity-based teaching practices must continue to be prioritized, especially for students who have been underserved.
Reducing achievement gaps also requires addressing the whole child. Schools need adequate staffing, including counselors, special education support and intervention specialists, so academic challenges are addressed early.
As a school board member, I would advocate for investments that strengthen classroom instruction and trust educators as professionals. When teachers are supported, students benefit and strong academic outcomes follow.
How would you address teacher hiring and retention while ensuring strong outcomes for students? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
Addressing teacher hiring and retention is essential to ensuring strong outcomes for students. To attract the very best educators, I would prioritize building clear pathways into teaching by partnering with community colleges, colleges and universities. These partnerships can help identify, train and support future teachers — particularly those who reflect the communities they will serve — through teacher residency programs, internships and career pipelines that lead directly into district classrooms.
Once teachers are hired, strong professional support systems are critical to their success. I would advocate for mentorship programs that pair new teachers with experienced educators. I would advocate for providing a financial incentive for experienced teachers to mentor new teachers. I would also advocate for co-teaching models that provide collaboration, shared responsibility and instructional support. These approaches not only strengthen teaching practice but also reduce isolation and burnout, especially for teachers entering the classroom.
Retention must also address the real-world challenges educators face. One of the most pressing issues is housing affordability. Many teachers struggle to live in the communities where they work. To address this, I would explore workforce housing solutions and partnerships that help educators access stable, affordable housing close to the schools they serve.
By investing in strong preparation, ongoing professional support and sustainable living conditions, we can retain effective teachers and create stable, high-quality learning environments where students thrive.
How will you help young students who struggle with reading? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
As a school board member, I will advocate for strong early literacy support for young students who struggle with reading. One program I believe should be brought back and expanded is Primary Promise, which was championed by former Superintendent Austin Beutner in 2020. I saw the impact of this program firsthand while working at Ford Boulevard Elementary, and I know it works.
Primary Promise focused on early identification and personalized reading intervention, providing students with targeted one-on-one and small group support. I witnessed students who were falling behind make meaningful progress because the instruction was tailored to their specific needs.
Early literacy is the foundation for long-term academic success. When students do not learn to read proficiently in the early grades, the gaps only widen over time. As a board member, I will push for investments in evidence-based programs like Primary Promise that intervene early, support teachers and engage families as partners in literacy development.
My experience working directly with students and families has shown me that personalized attention and early intervention make a real difference. I am committed to ensuring our district prioritizes proven strategies, so every child has the opportunity to become a strong, confident reader.
What role should the board play in overseeing the superintendent and ensuring accountability for district performance? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
The school board plays a vital role in overseeing the superintendent and ensuring accountability for overall district performance. The board’s responsibility is to represent its constituents and ensure the superintendent is leading the district in ways that improve student achievement, advance equity and use public resources responsibly.
A key role of the school board is to hire, support and evaluate the superintendent. This means establishing clear goals and expectations, aligning district priorities with student and community needs and regularly monitoring progress through data, school outcomes and stakeholder feedback. Effective accountability is transparent, measurable and focused on results, while also providing the superintendent with the guidance and support necessary to succeed.
With more than 20 years of experience working directly with students and families, I bring important lived experience to this oversight role. I have seen first-hand what programs and policies truly support student learning and which do not. That perspective allows me to ask informed questions, identify gaps between policy and practice and advocate for solutions that reflect real classroom and community needs.
A strong board superintendent relationship is built on trust, accountability and a shared commitment to students. When the board fulfills its role effectively, it strengthens district leadership, builds public confidence and keeps the focus where it belongs — on serving students and families well.