STAFF REPORT
Monday August 13, 2018, 12:15 p.m.
Montebello – At the age of 26, Dr. Hector Chacon made history by becoming the youngest person ever elected to the Montebello Unified School District Board of Education (MUSD) in 1993, which is one of the largest school districts in California. He has since dedicated 25 years of his life advocating for the quality education of children of MUSD, and is currently one of the longest serving board of education members in the state of California.
Friday, August 10, 2018, was the last day to file for an incumbent at the Los Angeles County Registrar Recorders Office in Norwalk and Dr. Chacon chose not to file for re-election. Therefore, this December will conclude his 25thyear as a Board of Education Member.
“It was not an easy decision for me to make, I have dedicated half of my entire life to public education,” said Chacon. “I am so thankful to the parents, and voters of the Montebello Unified School District who have entrusted me with the education of their children for 25 years,” said Chacon.
“Montebello Unified has wonderful parents, students, teachers, CSEA employee’s, school police and principals who work hard each and every day to make sure students receive the best education possible, and it has been my honor to work with all the education stakeholders for 25 years,” said Chacon.
Dr. Chacon was born in El Paso, Texas on March 17th, 1967. He is the youngest of 4 older brothers, and 2 sisters. His mother, Paula Chacon, raised all 7 children on her own. She moved her entire family to California in the late 1960’s to work as a migrant farmworker in the fields of northern California in pursuit of a better life for her children. The Chacon family eventually settled into government housing projects in Boyle Heights, California in the early 1970’s.
Dr. Chacon grew up in a neighborhood surrounded by poverty, gangs, and drugs. As a result of living in poverty, his mother and family experienced discrimination. He saw firsthand the hardships that many families endure growing up in an environment of poverty. He observed the negative impact of how drugs and gangs can destroy the lives of the youth, adults and the spirit of an entire community.
Dr. Chacon was inspired by the love he received from his mother that he made a decision at an early age that his goal would be to graduate from high school, go onto college and one day make a positive difference for his community. He went on to pursue his quest for a higher education at ELA College, UCLA and California State University Dominguez Hills.
It was while attending UCLA as a student in the 1980’s, that he met one of his mentors, the late Cesar Chavez who was an American labor leader and civil rights activist with the United Farm Workers whom Chacon gives credit to inspiring him to run for school board back in 1993.
Dr. Chacon’s transformational style of leadership is innovative and focuses on being a good listener to feedback, a consensus builder and a champion for a student’s right to a quality education. He has dedicated his life to working with all students, and “education stakeholders” to ensure that every student is being given an equal opportunity to succeed and also being prepared academically in order to compete in the best colleges, universities and the global markets and international community. Dr. Chacon has given of his time volunteering, donating his resources, his own money and has helped raise thousands of dollars for student scholarships.
During Dr. Chacon’s 25 year tenure as a Board of Education Member, over 50,000 students have graduated of whom many have become successful leaders in the field of education, law, science, public safety, business, engineering, politics, and other career professions.
As a Board of Education Member, he has worked with the school district staff to oversee a complex operating education budget of $573 million dollars. The District manages over 2,500 employees and is responsible for the education of over 30,000 students at more than 28 schools.
Dr. Chacon has been recognized by the Latin Business Association (LBA) as the “2017 Educator of The Year.” In 2018, he received a Honorius Causa Doctorate in Higher Education, from Charisma University where he was also the keynote speaker at this year’s commencement graduating ceremony. You can also view some his words of inspiration to the students titled 10 Life Lessons to Achieving Successby Dr. Chacon on You Tube.
Dr. Chacon has mentored and developed many leaders in various industries, whether in business or in public policy. He has also been a mentor and inspiration too many of the younger generation to what is possible when you pursue your dream, despite your economic circumstances, understanding your “why” and discover your passion as you continue the journey of life.
Dr. Chacon is also an ordained Minister and a devoted husband to his wife Mrs. Suzie Chacon of 17 years of marriage, whom are raising their daughter Suzana who is a student in the Montebello Unified School District.
