Elect Gary Waddell San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools 2018.

Press Play to Start Video!

Lead with equity
Convene annual summit to report to the community on achievement and highlight bright spots across the county
Support personalized learning and innovation & partnerships with the tech sector
Build a diverse, highly skilled workforce
Support programs and services for second-language learners and immigrants
Build systems of support for homeless and foster youth
Support cutting edge STEM education, including supporting girls in STEM education/careers

Invest in countywide arts programs to support schools in offering visual and performing arts, preK-12
Expand the countywide environmental education/ sustainability initiative
Promote civics education to support student learning about our democracy and build good citizenship
Support social-emotional learning for all youth to develop the social and personal skills that they need to succeed in life
Build community partnerships to offer internships and collaborate

Dr. Gary Waddell currently serves as Deputy County Superintendent, or second-in-command, of the San Mateo County Office of Education. He holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, is the former statewide Counselor of the Year, and is the recipient of multiple leadership and human rights awards, including being recently awarded the CA County Superintendents' Association 2017 STAR Award.

Gary has over 30 years of experience as a Principal, School Counselor, and Teacher in addition to heading up Instructional Services at the San Mateo County Office of Education. He has been a leader at every level of education - preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school, and has taught in graduate-level educational leadership programs at the university level.

Gary is committed to equity and excellence. He was a therapeutic foster parent for adolescents with emotional and behavioral disabilities. His work as Deputy Superintendent (and previously Associate Superintendent) at the San Mateo County Office of Education has largely been around connecting equity and innovation and has resulted in the opening of the countywide STEM Center, expansion of preschool initiatives, launch of the Center for Learning Analytics, initiating environmental education/sustainability initiatives, expanding arts education, and creating a variety of countywide efforts to close achievement and opportunity gaps.

Gary is a recognized statewide leader in California. He is Past Chair of California's statewide Curriculum and Instruction Steering Committee (CISC) where he worked closely with the California Department of Education, the State Board of Education, and County Offices of Education throughout California to enact education policy. He currently Chairs California's statewide Visual and Performing Arts Committee.

Expand access to quality preschool countywide
Work collaboratively to address shortage of childcare facilities
Expand and enhance The Big Lift
Support preschool teachers in professional learning and growth
Build partnerships to ensure high quality early learning opportunities from preK - 3
Strengthen countywide programs in parent engagement and education
Support equitable preschool programs that honor children's cultures and ethnicities

"Students will be well-served by Gary Waddell’s innovative thinking and leadership. I highly recommend Dr. Gary Waddell for Superintendent of San Mateo County Schools."
Jackie Speier