SMMUSD Assistant Superintendent Dies at 46
The Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District has announced the passing of Assistant Superintendent Jacqueline Mora following a five-month battle with an undisclosed illness. She was just 46 years old.
“Dr. Mora was a bright light to all who knew her and worked with her,” said Superintendent Antonio Shelton. “Her passion for public education, dedication to students, families and staff, and her desire to see all students succeed academically and social-emotionally inspired her personally and professionally.”
“Our SMMUSD family lost a crusader and champion for equity and inclusion for ALL our students, especially for our most diverse and vulnerable students,” Board of Education President Maria Leon-Vazquez said. “When you look at our District for positive academic changes for the betterment of ALL our students you will always see Dr. Mora as the initiator or supporter, including initiative and programs such as our diversity, equity and inclusion focus, the expansion and enhancement of our District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC), our EL program, career technical education programs, social justice standards integrated into our curriculum, family engagement, anti-racism resources and our American cultures and ethnic studies classes. Dr. Mora will be sorely missed but SMMUSD pledges to continue her work.”
Dr. Mora had served as assistant superintendent for the past six years, overseeing educational programming, curriculum development and instructional strategies. She had previously served as the director of English learner and parent engagement programs at the Santa Barbara Unified School District. She had also worked as an elementary school principal, program advisor, and teacher.
The Sept. 21 SMMUSD board meeting will open in honor of Dr. Mora.
