Ted Godshalk has evolved as a National City resident: He went from being an electrician to community activist to dad to educator.

    He has been a teacher at Kimball Elementary, Otis Elementary, Ira Harbison, and Rancho de La Nacion.

    Now he wants to use all of this experience to become a new member of the National School District governing board in the November elections.

    Godshalk is probably best known executive director of the non-profit Paradise Creek Educational Park, Inc., a beautiful wetland habitat that provides an ecosystem for birds, carbs, horn snails, and many wetland plants. In the past, it had been a forgotten area that was full of trash, rugs, and old tires. Now, thanks to the work of Godshalk and hundreds of volunteers, Paradise Creek has become a place where National City children can learn about the environment.

    Godshalk said that if he was able to fix and clean Paradise Creek for the children and their families, he can do the same with the National School District governing board, a board that, he said, doesn’t represent the community.

    “I decided that I needed to be a member of the school board because it had grown into a board that was unable to communicate openly and respectfully with the main groups it works for and with: the parents and the teachers,” Godshalk said. “I believe this problem came to a crisis point during this summer, when the incumbents voted unanimously to break their contract with the teachers and impose, or force, six furlough days, which is a pay cut and less days of learning for the students, increased class size, and new language taking away rights and conditions of the teachers. Forcing conditions on the teachers, and in this case on students and families, is almost never done and I think there is never a good reason to do so. I will work to restore the school district to a cooperative and respectful institution.”

    This is the first time Godshalk is running for office, although in the past he has served in National City Planning Commission for 10 years.

    At the time he started on the commission, he said that “Old Town National City was being destroyed by the “Block Building” developers. We had already lost many houses and the businesses that came in were often auto repair or paint shops that worked in the street and late at night. One of my accomplishments at the time was finding consensus in the Planning Commission, and later with the City Council, to give more rights to rebuild and remodel to the homeowners and more protections through zoning from the toxic polluters. In the current General Plan, these ideas were included, as were protections for Paradise Creek.”

    If elected to the board, Godshalk said he will focus on students, just like he did at Paradise Creek.

    “My top priority is the students of National City’s Elementary Schools, and by this I mean they deserve the best school system we can put together. The students and teachers need to be in the classroom without unnecessary ‘days off.’ I feel the School Board must work much harder to improve the working relationship between the Governing Board and the teachers, so we can return to the position where the ‘best’ is a fact and a guarantee, not just words. I know the teachers are ready for this and, I will make it happen with the School Board, too.”

    Godshalk said that as a parent, an educator, and community activist he understands the needs of teachers, students, and parents.

    “(A few years ago) I returned to San Diego State University and completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies, and earned my teaching credential after doing my student teaching at Ira Harbison, here in town. As a teacher, I understand the State Standards and test scores system, the schools’ financial needs, the importance of training and retaining professional teachers, and the team work required to make it all happen. The sum of my experience makes me the number one choice in this year’s election for Governing Board.”

    He’s been endorsed by the National City Elementary Teachers Association, the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, the Electricians IBEW 569, and the San Diego Democratic Party.

    “As an active community member, I have closely followed the issues that have affected the residents of National City. Add to this my teaching experience and I am well versed in the policies and procedures of the City and the School Board. From what I have seen, the current incumbents have decided to shut off communication and collaboration with the teaching staff and this is hurtful to the students and their families. I am firmly against this and I am running to correct it.”