NORWALK RESIDENT NORMA AMEZCUA APPOINTED AS NEW NLMUSD BOARD MEMBER

Norma Amezcua, a children’s program administrator, was unanimously appointed May 7 by the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District Board of Education as the newest board member.

NORWALK, Calif. — The Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District Board of Education has appointed Norma Amezcua, a children’s program administrator, as its newest board member. 

 The appointment of Amezcua, a Norwalk resident, fills a vacancy on the seven-member board that was created with the resignation in March of Sean Reagan, who had moved out of the district to Whittier. Reagan had served on the board since 2013. His board term expires in December 2018. 

“It’s a big responsibility that I’m taking on, and I’m ready to give what I have to offer,” said Amezcua, who is the assistant director of early child care and education programs for the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, a Montebello-based nonprofit organization. NLMUSD is a K-12 district that serves nearly 18,000 students.

Amezcua’s unanimous selection, from among a field of four final applicants, took place at the board’s regular meeting on May 7. Her appointment is provisional for 30 days and becomes effective thereafter unless a petition for a special election containing a sufficient number of signatures is filed with the Los Angeles County Office of Education. 

Amezcua, who was born in Mexico and reared in Los Angles in a household with six sisters, is a naturalized U.S. citizen. She is a six-year resident of the city with two adult children and several nephews and nieces who currently attend NLMUSD elementary, middle and high schools.

Amezcua said she sees the board as a team and is interested in supporting its efforts to create more mental health services for students while also helping the district move toward the goal of hiring additional school counselors. She noted that her passion about helping those in need began during her time in high school as a volunteer Spanish translator for the Shriners Hospital for Children in Los Angeles.

“Community service is a big priority for me,” said Amezcua, who is a member of the Norwalk Lions Club and chairs its education committee. She is also a member of the City of Norwalk’s Social Services Commission.

Amezcua, 41, said her perspective on the great value of schooling grew after she became a teen mom and decided to commit herself to a professional career in education.  She earned an associate’s degree in child development from Los Angeles City College, a bachelor’s degree in human development from Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena and a master’s degree in early childhood education from California State University, Long Beach.

Dr. Danieilian, the NLMUSD superintendent, praised Amezcua’s accomplishments as a parent and community member. “We are excited about Norma joining the board and her commitment to helping the district fulfill its promise to have every student become future ready for success in college and careers,” she said.