Craig Cheslog
THURSDAY, August 23
SPEAKER: Craig Cheslog
Principal Advisor to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction at California
TOPIC: “A Blueprint for Great Schools”
7:15 pm (Dinner option begins at 6:15 pm)
Recognizing that California must plan for the future, State Superintendent Tom Torlakson brought together 59 leaders from across California—teachers, parents, community, labor and business leaders—to share their thinking about education in the state. The resulting report, A Blueprint for Great Schools provides vision and direction for our education system, including a focus on 21st Century learning, meeting the needs of the whole child, and rebuilding the ranks of California’s teachers with resources and respect.
Craig Cheslog currently serves as the Principal Advisor to California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson at the California Department of Education.
Craig’s responsibilities in this role include serving as personal strategist, advisor to, and spokesperson for Superintendent Torlakson; serving as the Superintendent’s liaison to other major external individuals and organizations; coordinating major education initiatives; and managing the Superintendent’s Initiatives Office.
In addition to conducting outreach for ongoing and prospective educational initiatives sponsored by Superintendent Torlakson, the Superintendent’s Initiatives Office is responsible for the coordination and management of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction’s day-to-day operations; management of all correspondence received by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction; and administration of various awards programs designed to honor students, schools, teachers, and school employees.
Prior to joining the California Department of Education in January 2011, Craig served as the District Director for Assembly Member Tom Torlakson, after previously serving in the same capacity for then-State Senator Torlakson. Among his responsibilities then were managing the day-to-day operations of the Torlakson’s district offices, serving as the primary liaison with local elected officials, directing constituent outreach and assistance activities, and representing Torlakson at meetings and events.
Prior to joining Torlakson’s staff, Craig served as a communications and government relations staff person for nonprofit issue advocacy organizations, including Oakland’s Redefining Progress and the Washington, D.C.-based Concord Coalition. He is also a former national president and current member of the Board of Governors of the Alpha Delta Phi Society, a coeducational literary and social society with chapters at colleges and in cities around the United States.
Craig graduated from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, with a bachelor’s degree in government and legal studies with a minor in education. He lives in Lafayette, California, with his wife Kari Dahlen, and their two children, aged 11 and seven.
LOCAL SPEAKER: John Roe
Shop Steward and Special Projects Representative for the United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 5 and Member of SRV Democratic Club
John will tell us about Proposition 32. He has been actively involved in numerous labor actions and campaigns for workers’ rights and in support of many Democratic candidates and issues. This year John will be coordinating phone banks, canvass walks and Get out the Vote on behalf of Democratic candidates in Contra Costa. In 2009 John was honored as the “Political Activist of the Year” by the Contra Costa Central Labor Council and selected to attend the 2012 Democratic National Convention to represent his Union.
Social Get together 6:15 PM
Dinner 6:45 PM
Program 7:15 PM
Even if you opt to attend just the meeting, please join us at 6:15 pm to talk to socialize and have fun.
Location: Crow Canyon Country Club
711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville, CA 94526
(925) 735-5700
Members & Invited Guests: $25
Non-members: $30 ($25 for dinner and $5 requested donation to help offset program costs)
Presentation only $5 (requested donation)
Please email Jim Donnelly that you are coming by Monday, August 20 (we need a ‘head count’ for the dinner). Thank you for your help.
RSVP: To make certain you have a dinner, please RSVP.
Mail checks, made out to Jim Donnelly, to 373 Century Circle, Danville, CA 94526
Or call him at (925) 570-9289
Craig Cheslog
Craig Cheslog currently serves as the Principal Advisor to California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson at the California Department of Education.
Craig’s responsibilities in this role include serving as personal strategist, advisor to, and spokesperson for Superintendent Torlakson; serving as the Superintendent’s liaison to other major external individuals and organizations; coordinating major education initiatives; and managing the Superintendent’s Initiatives Office.
In addition to conducting outreach for ongoing and prospective educational initiatives sponsored by Superintendent Torlakson, the Superintendent’s Initiatives Office is responsible for the coordination and management of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction’s day-to-day operations; management of all correspondence received by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction; and administration of various awards programs designed to honor students, schools, teachers, and school employees.
Prior to joining the California Department of Education in January 2011, Craig served as the District Director for Assembly Member Tom Torlakson, after previously serving in the same capacity for then-State Senator Torlakson. Among his responsibilities then were managing the day-to-day operations of the Torlakson’s district offices, serving as the primary liaison with local elected officials, directing constituent outreach and assistance activities, and representing Torlakson at meetings and events.
Prior to joining Torlakson’s staff, Craig served as a communications and government relations staff person for nonprofit issue advocacy organizations, including Oakland’s Redefining Progress and the Washington, D.C.-based Concord Coalition. He is also a former national president and current member of the Board of Governors of the Alpha Delta Phi Society, a coeducational literary and social society with chapters at colleges and in cities around the United States.
Craig graduated from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, with a bachelor’s degree in government and legal studies with a minor in education. He lives in Lafayette, California, with his wife Kari Dahlen, and their two children, aged 11 and seven.
LOCAL SPEAKER: John Roe
Shop Steward and Special Projects Representative for the United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 5 and Member of SRV Democratic Club
John will tell us about Proposition 32. He has been actively involved in numerous labor actions and campaigns for workers’ rights and in support of many Democratic candidates and issues. This year John will be coordinating phone banks, canvass walks and Get out the Vote on behalf of Democratic candidates in Contra Costa. In 2009 John was honored as the “Political Activist of the Year” by the Contra Costa Central Labor Council and selected to attend the 2012 Democratic National Convention to represent his Union.
Social Get together 6:15 PM
Dinner 6:45 PM
Program 7:15 PM
Even if you opt to attend just the meeting, please join us at 6:15 pm to talk to socialize and have fun.
Location: Crow Canyon Country Club
711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville, CA 94526
(925) 735-5700
Members & Invited Guests: $25
Non-members: $30 ($25 for dinner and $5 requested donation to help offset program costs)
Presentation only $5 (requested donation)
Please email Jim Donnelly that you are coming by Monday, August 20 (we need a ‘head count’ for the dinner). Thank you for your help.
RSVP: To make certain you have a dinner, please RSVP.
Mail checks, made out to Jim Donnelly, to 373 Century Circle, Danville, CA 94526
Or call him at (925) 570-9289
Dinner 6:45 PM
Program 7:15 PM
711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville, CA 94526
(925) 735-5700
Non-members: $30 ($25 for dinner and $5 requested donation to help offset program costs)
Presentation only $5 (requested donation)
Mail checks, made out to Jim Donnelly, to 373 Century Circle, Danville, CA 94526
Or call him at (925) 570-9289