Hello, I’m Li Zhang, and I’m running for the MVLA School Board in 2024. My journey began in 1991 when I moved to the United States with dreams of a better future. After earning my Ph.D. at UCSD, I settled in Mountain View in 2001, where my husband and I have raised our son. This community has been incredibly welcoming and supportive, and I’ve been committed to giving back through my work in tech and finance. And my husband has been working as a teacher/tutor both in the MVLA school district and Foothill college.

As a mom and a community leader, I’m passionate about creating opportunities for every child to succeed. At Almond Elementary, I enjoyed being the Bookwave chair, where I helped kids build confidence by writing their own books. I am also one of the organizers of the Teatime Club at Mountain View High School, where we assist first-generation immigrant families in finding and using the resources available at MVHS. These experiences, along with graduating from the Chinese Leadership Academy in Mountain View (picture above), have shown me how important it is to be involved and make a difference in our community.

In today’s digital world, many kids feel disconnected from nature, which can impact their well-being. My time with scouting, where I was on the Troop 33 (Los Altos) committee for organizing the Boy Scout Eagle Court of Honor, has shown me the tremendous benefits of outdoor activities. I believe that adding outdoor and nature-based learning to our schools can help students develop a deeper appreciation for the environment and lead healthier, more balanced lives.

I’m running for the school board because I care deeply about our community and want to ensure every student has the support they need to succeed. Together, we can build a better future for our kids, giving them the tools and opportunities they need to thrive in life.