As a graduate of California schools, I have public education in my blood. My mother and many other family members were teachers. My father and other family members are involved in public education in other capacities (attorney, administrator, etc.) As a result, I understand the importance of, and have a passion for, public education.

Children are our future.

As such, their education and success is the top priority, to all students equally. I have a strong interest in community involvement, and would greatly enjoy giving back to the public school system that provided me with the quality education that led to my success.

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I believe my background, experience and personal skills I have gained as an Education Attorney serving public schools would benefit the Dublin School Board:

  The ability to work well with a team, support group decisions and foster a cooperative environment.
  Knowledge about school district policies, guidelines, needs, challenges and strengths.
  Strong communication skills: analytic/writing/speaking.
  A desire to work toward a stronger relationship between the district and the public it serves.
  Ability to stay cool under pressure and get the job done without bias or personal animus.
  A professional—poised demeanor and respectful behavior.
  Respect for diverse points of view.
  Commitment to the time and energy required each week for meetings, phone calls, conversations, visits to schools, and professional development seminars and workshops.
  Willingness to work cooperatively with community and employee associations to ensure that Dublin graduates will receive a rigorous education that prepares them for any postsecondary option.
  Familiarity with and support of open government requirements (Brown Act, Public Records Act Requests)

As your elected representative, I will remain committed to improving the academic achievement of every Dublin child by providing a quality education based on rigorous academic standards and high expectations in a safe environment. My professional life has been devoted to serving public schools and that will continue as your representative on the board.

I would appreciate your vote.

  JD; Willamette Law, 1998
  BA; UC Berkeley, 1995 (English major and Spanish minor)
  Senior litigation associate in the Pleasanton office of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo since 2003, representing California school and community college districts with emphasis on general education law, construction claims and litigation, employment law and business litigation.
  Has presented workshops at conferences for school administrators, teachers and staff on various school law topics.

Active participant in/attendee at:
  California School Boards’ Association (CSBA)
  Coalition for Adequate School Housing (CASH)
  Association of Chief Human Resource Officers (ACHRO)
  County Counsels’ Annual Education Law Conference
  Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
  Dublin Partners in Education (DPIE)
  American Red Cross

Board Member: Centro Legal

Member:
  Associate Committee, Engineering & Utility Contractors Association (EUCA)
  Executive Committee, Alameda County Bar Association (ACBA) Labor & Employment Law Section
  Dublin Chamber of Commerce

Author: Restaurant Review for Eastern Alameda County Bar Association monthly newsletter

From Tri-Valley Herald August 30, 2006
http://www.insidebayarea.com/search/ci_4259557

Attorney Feels Educating Runs in Family
By Kristofer Noceda, STAFF WRITER, Inside Bay Area

Dublin - Jennifer Henry has always followed in the footsteps of her parents. “As a kid I always told people I was going to be an attorney even though I didn’t know what it was,” she said in admiration of her father.

Henry, 33, stayed true to her words when she began her career as a lawyer three years* ago. She’s even incorporated her mother’s trade as a teacher by specializing in education law.

Now, Henry is looking to create her own legacy by running for Dublin school board, making it a four-candidate race for two open seats.

“Some people have this void they feel inside them,” she said. “To me, running for school board and having the opportunity to make a difference will fill that void.”

She plans to focus her campaign on maintaining strong programs and academic standards, improving collaboration with parents, community and local businesses, and managing growth. “I like to solve problems and in Dublin I can see a rift between the east and west part of town,” she said.

Henry would also like to get more of the community involved in public education, especially her contacts in the business world.

Born in Los Angeles and raised in Orange County, Henry can remember dinner parties her parents would hold with some of the top educators in Southern California. “In a way, running for election is kind of like a family reunion for me,” she said. “It’s weird, but I felt some sort of connection with board members and the superintendent even before I met them.”

In her spare time, Henry is a movie buff who dedicates one day a month to watching anything from brainless comedy to educational foreign films. She also collects original hard-boiled detective novels and anything Polynesian.

Critics may point to Henry, who has no children, and question whether she can understand the parenting aspect of education. But Henry shot down such speculation by referring to teachers. “There are some good teachers out there who have no children. What’s important in education is for the people involved to believe in it,” she said.

“People involved do it as a labor of love and I share that passion. I just want to do my part.”

For more information, visit http://www.HenryForDublinSchools.com. Contact Kristofer Noceda at 925.416.4808 or knoceda@trivalleyherald.com.

*Correction: 3 years as an Education Law Attorney, 8 years total as an attorney.