MEET THIDA
My Story
Why High School Matters to Me
I moved to Davis, California when I was nine. My parents placed me in a very small private school in sixth grade, where I struggled socially and was physically bullied. I finally convinced them to let me attend public school at Davis High.
At Davis High, my world opened up. For the first time, I had friend groups. I took AP classes, found a home in theatre, and had teachers who believed in me — even when other people didn't. Some students mocked my movements, my mother’s cooking, and my intelligence. A physics teacher told me "You don't belong in my class." I took the class anyway.
As a half-Burmese student, I also remember what it was like to navigate fear and uncertainty in my school community. After a Vietnamese student was killed by another student on campus, like many teenagers, I did my best not to think about what had happened — even with caring adults around me.
I graduated at sixteen. Looking back, my high school years held both real opportunity and real difficulty, often at the same time. When I talk to students today, I hear echoes of my own experience. That's part of why this work matters so much to me.
College, Career, and Coming to Mountain View
I graduated from Bryn Mawr College with a degree in Political Science. While I was there, I helped connect the college to the Internet and wrote shell scripts to automate student computer accounts — work that launched my career in technology. I later earned an MBA from UC Berkeley Haas.
I moved to Mountain View in 1999. My husband and I bought our home in Shoreline West in 2001, and we still live there today. We love the neighborhood's diversity and its walkability — most days, you'll find me out walking with my service dog, Jeeves.
Community Advocacy
Throughout my life, each step in serving my community has started the same way: I learned about a problem, I listened, and I worked with others to solve it.
My first experience with local government started after my younger child, Torin, fell through a play structure at a city park. He wasn't hurt, but I couldn't stop thinking about what might happen to another child. I reached out to the City, learned about the Parks and Recreation Commission, was appointed in 2009, and served a full eight-year term.
I later served as President of the Shoreline West Association of Neighbors (SWAN) during two years of the COVID pandemic, and currently serve as Vice President of Communications, helping connect neighbors with one another and with the City.
Once my children started school, I began tutoring struggling readers — many of whom went on to reach English proficiency. I was elected by fellow parents to my school's Site Council, where we developed the school's mission and vision and worked to reduce barriers for low-income families. I later served in PTA leadership and on MVWSD committees that planned future school facilities and attendance boundaries, including what is now Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary.
I also served on the Northwest Region Board of Canine Companions, helping people with disabilities cope with the loss of an assistance dog and supporting families raising children with disabilities.
In 2012, William Ware was killed by a high-speed driver while waiting at a bus stop near my home. In response, I co-founded Great Streets, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit promoting safer streets for people walking, biking, and rolling.
In 2017, I was elected Vice-Chair of the City of Mountain View's Environmental Sustainability Task Force. Together, we recommended 36 actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and I helped coordinate the team's policy recommendations.
Throughout that work, I partnered with MVLA students who cared deeply about the planet they're inheriting. They came from every kind of background, and I was especially mindful that low-income communities often carry a heavier burden from pollution and toxic waste — including the legacy of Mountain View's industrial past. Their passion and sense of responsibility left a real impression on me.
Why I Ran for School Board in 2022
In 2021, a group of parents and students came to me with concerns about our district. They agreed MVLA had a lot to offer — but they also wanted change for current students. Some students were facing intense academic pressure and mental health struggles. Some Latino students told me they weren't set up to succeed. Some students with disabilities were struggling to get the support they needed to access MVLA's excellent education. Others felt overlooked or disconnected.
The more I listened, the clearer it became: these weren't isolated stories, and the aftermath of COVID had made things harder for everyone. I met with then-Superintendent Nellie Meyer, and found a district committed to continuous improvement and open to doing better for every student.
I ran because I believe every student deserves to be set up to succeed, access MVLA's excellent education, and feel connected and supported. I am honored that voters entrusted me with this responsibility, and together we've achieved real results. My fellow Trustees elected me Board President and selected me to represent MVLA in negotiating Shoreline Fund agreements with the City of Mountain View. Nellie Meyer retired and we hired new Superintendent Eric Volta two years ago — someone I've worked closely with and whose focus on all students aligns with mine.
Why I'm Running Again in 2026
The work isn't finished — and there is more to do.
We've built Wellness Centers, expanded English Learner support at both high schools, created our first-ever Governance Handbook, and launched the Superintendent's Student Advisory Council. Those aren't just programs — they're proof that steady, focused work on the Board produces real change for real students.
We need more pathways for students to discover their passions and find college and career opportunities. We need to develop a system to help more students find a caring adult on campus and a place where they belong. There are Board materials that families can't access because they're not available in their language. There is more to do — and I know how to do it.
This year, for the first time, MVLA is electing Trustees by area. I live in Area 3, and I'm asking the community I've called home since 1999 for the opportunity to keep doing this work.