Creating spaces where every young person is seen, valued, and supported

Growing up in a marginalized community, I know what it feels like to go without opportunities or a real chance to succeed. That experience shaped my purpose. I spent 16 years supporting youth in Juvenile Hall, and I earned my Master's in Social Work to make sure every young person I encountered had access to stability, support, and the opportunity to thrive.

That is why I am running for San Mateo County Board of Education.

Read the priorities Endorse Dana
Dana Johnson, smiling, wearing a navy blazer over a light blue shirt.
  • Master of Social Work
  • 16 years serving youth in Juvenile Hall
  • San Mateo County LGBTQIA+ Commissioner
  • Board Member, CoastPride

A career spent showing up for the young people the system overlooks.

Dana Johnson, MSW, is a community-rooted leader, social worker, and advocate whose work centers equity, belonging, and the well-being of youth and families across San Mateo County. With a Master of Social Work and a career grounded in service, Dana brings deep experience in community leadership, social services, and systems change.

Record of service

  1. 16 years

    Youth Services Professional

    San Mateo County Probation Department — Juvenile Hall

    Dana supported detained youth through crisis intervention and restorative practices, helping young people navigate trauma, family instability, and educational disruption.

  2. 7 years

    Substance Abuse Youth Counselor

    They provided counseling, group facilitation, and family support for youth experiencing addiction, co‑occurring mental health challenges, and school disengagement.

  3. 4 years

    Director of Youth Housing

    Dana led programs serving unhoused and unstably housed youth, overseeing supportive services, education access, life‑skills development, and partnerships with schools and community agencies.

LGBTQIA+ advocacy and community leadership

Dana is a long‑time advocate for LGBTQIA+ youth and families, serving as:

  • San Mateo County LGBTQIA+ Commissioner
  • Board Member, CoastPride

Their work includes training educators, supporting youth leadership, and advancing policies that create safe, affirming environments in schools and community spaces.

Working across education, youth programs, and social services

Across their career, Dana has collaborated with:

  • School districts and educators
  • County departments and youth‑serving nonprofits
  • Mental health and social service providers

Their work consistently centers students facing systemic barriers — foster youth, English learners, LGBTQIA+ youth, justice‑involved youth, and young people experiencing poverty or trauma.

Portrait of Dana Johnson on the steps outside a public building.
Dana Johnson, at right, celebrating with family at a UC Law San Francisco graduation.
Celebrating a graduate — the reason any of this work matters.

Values and commitment to public education

Dana's dedication to public education is grounded in a belief that schools are community anchors. They are driven by values of equity, inclusion, and opportunity — and by the conviction that every young person deserves access to supportive learning environments, culturally responsive care, and pathways to stability and success.

Priorities

Three commitments, drawn from the work.

Students

Expanding inclusive opportunities for all students

After years working in Juvenile Hall, substance abuse counseling, and youth housing, I have seen firsthand that schools are often the only consistent environment in a young person's life. For students navigating trauma, poverty, family instability, or discrimination, a caring educator or a supportive school community can be transformative.

As a Member of the County Board, I will prioritize:

  • Targeted support for students who face systemic barriers: foster youth, English learners, socioeconomically challenged students, LGBTQIA+ youth, and incarcerated youth.
  • Commitment to equity, mental health, and social‑emotional learning.
  • Support collaboration with districts, families, and community partners to ensure students thrive academically and emotionally.

Public education

Advocate for public education

I believe public education must remain strong, well‑resourced, and accessible to all — because when students thrive, families thrive, and communities thrive.

As a Member of the County Board, I will prioritize:

  • Responsible stewardship of public resources to support classrooms, educators, and student services.
  • Professional development, supporting district operations, and ensuring compliance with state standards.
  • Policies and funding that strengthen public education and expand opportunities for students.

Career pathways

Expanding Career Technical Education (CTE)

CTE gives students hands‑on experience in fields like healthcare, technology, construction trades, culinary arts, early childhood education, biotech, and more. I have watched students see why what they're learning matters — and how it leads to actual jobs.

As a Member of the County Board, I will prioritize:

  • The importance of CTE programs that prepare students for real‑world careers in technology, healthcare, trades, green energy, and more.
  • Supporting SMCOE's commitment to expanding pathways that connect students to internships, apprenticeships, and industry‑aligned training.
  • Equitable access to CTE for students from all backgrounds, including those historically underrepresented in STEM and technical fields.

Support from across San Mateo County.

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What the County Board actually does.

A lot of voters have never had a reason to look at this office. Here's the plain version.

SMCOE is the county‑level agency that supports all 23 school districts in San Mateo County. It provides services, oversight, and programs that individual districts cannot easily run on their own — such as special education programs, career technical education, educator training, fiscal oversight, and support for vulnerable student populations.

The Board of Education is the governing body that oversees the County Office of Education. Their responsibilities include:

  • Approving the SMCOE budget
  • Providing fiscal and policy oversight
  • Hearing student interdistrict transfer appeals
  • Hearing expulsion appeals
  • Approving charter school petitions and renewals
  • Ensuring compliance with state education laws
  • Supporting countywide initiatives that improve student outcomes

They do not run individual school districts — but they help ensure districts across the county have the resources, guidance, and oversight they need.

Local school boards govern individual districts (like Jefferson Union High School District or South San Francisco Unified). The County Board oversees the entire county education system, supporting all districts and providing programs that serve students countywide.

The Board plays a critical role in:

  • Ensuring equitable access to education for all students
  • Overseeing programs for foster youth, English learners, incarcerated youth, and students with disabilities
  • Supporting teacher training, mental health programs, and inclusive learning environments
  • Expanding career technical education (CTE) and workforce pathways
  • Providing fiscal oversight to protect public education funds
  • Strengthening collaboration between districts, families, and community organizations

Their decisions impact tens of thousands of students across San Mateo County.

Get involved

Campaigns for schools are won at the door.

Endorse the campaign, volunteer a few hours, or just ask a question. Dana reads everything that comes through here.

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