Community and Purpose

Giving back to our Wiseburn community that joyfully welcomed our mixed-race family is very important to me. We are a blended family of Asian and Eastern European cultures. Strong family bonds and dedication to community are foundation elements of who I am, and these same elements are rooted in Wiseburn’s persona. 

A little about my family and my background:

  • Born and raised in St. Louis, MO; moved to CA in my late 20’s.
  • I grew up in an ethnic household with strong family bonds. My dad was an immigrant as were my mom’s parents. We spoke Croatian and English interchangeably at home.   
  • My dad had no formal education, and my parents had an arranged marriage.  
  • As with many immigrant families, education was the way to a better life. I have a BA in Math, Education and Slavic Languages, and an MBA. 
  • I am a wife to my great husband Clayton, working mom of 4 sons, an aerospace professional, leadership consultant, former university lecturer and high school teacher, and active community member.
  • We originally lived in Mar Vista and our 2 older sons went to LA magnet schools. 

Coming to Wiseburn:

  • Working in nearby aerospace, we discovered Wiseburn through its academic reputation and sports. Our son Joe started Aviation Little League and AYSO at 4 years old. We bonded with families and he bonded with teammates, so we looked into the schools and the community. Clearly Wiseburn was a great place to raise and educate our younger sons. 

Volunteer Involvement:

  • We started as a permit family in Wiseburn schools in 1995 and moved to live in Wiseburn in 2001. My contributions to Wiseburn started in what is likely a familiar fashion to many of you: as a room mom at Anza, an Aviation Little League team mom while my husband was the team manager, AYSO team mom while my husband was the coach, parent representative on the budget committee for the school board.
  • My involvement grew to the major commitment to run and serve as a school board member. I was elected to the board in 2001.
  • Our active parenting included sports and education volunteer activities: Little League – both Aviation and Wiseburn, AYSO soccer, “room parent,” carpools, chaperoning for field trips, and more.  
  • My aerospace career led to hundreds of thousands of dollars in corporate contributions to our WUSD Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), Project Lead the Way and other important student programs.
  • I’m a long-time member of Wiseburn Education Foundation (WEF) and teamed to create our important Rock Around the Block community fundraiser.  

https://wiseburnedfoundation.org

My affirmation for diversity and community in Wiseburn is total and complete.   

Your vote for Joanne L Kaneda on your November 3 ballot continues my commitment to serve on your school board, dedicated to community and service.

Contact

Joanne Kaneda
Hollyglen, California