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Kristina Zatopek
Kristina Zatopek ran for election to the Galena Park Independent School District to represent Position 6 in Texas. She lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.
Zatopek completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.
Zatopek was a candidate for Position 4 on the Galena Park Independent School District school board in 2019. She was defeated in the general election on May 4, 2019.
Biography
Zatopek's professional experience includes working as a retail operations manager, property manager, small business owner, veterinary technician, and waitress. She earned an associate degree from San Jacinto Community College in 2000 and a bachelor's degree from Western Governors University in 2019.[1]
Zatopek has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1]
- East Harris County Empowerment Council
- North Shore Alumni Scholarship Fund
- Channelview Ministry Team
- SHRM
- North Shore Plan
Elections
2020
See also: Galena Park Independent School District, Texas, elections (2020)
General election
General election for Galena Park Independent School District, Position 6
Incumbent Noe Esparza defeated Kristina Zatopek in the general election for Galena Park Independent School District, Position 6 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Noe Esparza (Nonpartisan) | 56.2 | 10,260 | |
 | Kristina Zatopek (Nonpartisan)  | 43.8 | 8,011 | |
| Total votes: 18,271 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2019
See also: Galena Park Independent School District, Texas, elections (2019)
General election
General election for Galena Park Independent School District, Position 4
Incumbent Ramon Garza defeated Kristina Zatopek and Andrea Henry in the general election for Galena Park Independent School District, Position 4 on May 4, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Ramon Garza (Nonpartisan) | 71.0 | 454 | |
| Kristina Zatopek (Nonpartisan) | 22.8 | 146 | |
| Andrea Henry (Nonpartisan) | 6.1 | 39 | ||
| Total votes: 639 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Kristina Zatopek completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Zatopek's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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As the daughter of a retired special ed teacher, I know the first hand the tribulation's teachers encounter. I clearly remember the many times my mother was unable to attend my events due to her obligations as a teacher such as grading papers running well over into her personal life. I have obtained a bachelor's in business and HR management and am currently completing my masters in management and leadership. I feel these skills as well as my extensive experience in operations and management will enable me to truly be able to give back to the community I love so much in service on the school board.
- I am a lifelong resident of Galena Park ISD and alumni of North Shore Senior High
- I believe in an open door culture between faculty and leadership
- I know our community and pledge to focus on industrial tech programing
Partnerships with our PTAs are vital. I will use all methods available to drive PTA memberships.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Kristina Zatopek completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Zatopek's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
1. District wide Bi-literacy program for all students. 2. Increased school safety. 3. Increased college preparedness ratios
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Post graduation performance metrics- This area of public policy collects quantitative data to show that districts are providing educational curriculum that prepares students for college and trade school. SAT and ACT scores as well as data for students who stay in a higher education institution for more than 6 months post graduation is a direct reflection of a school districts' success. College Preparedness- Using proven blueprints to empower students to pursue higher education. This policy encourages dual credit courses including graduating high school with their associates degree. STEM programs- STEM programs should be increased exponentially. Our students should be on the cutting edge of the pursuit of technology. These programs can be used to assist small community projects and large scale projects to prepare our students to participate in the emerging global economy.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
John C. Maxwell, No Limits- Buy the book (not the audible version), take the workshop, and expand your world by removing the capacities that hold you back from being the leader you are capable of being. Brene' Brown, Dare To Lead- Brene's book is both comical and life changing. She teaches about being courageous yet vulnerable. She will coach you into being a leader with compassion.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
I believe the characteristics and principles of an elected official should be authenticity, gratitude, courage, discipline, creativity, direction, intuition, and grit. These are the characteristics that I strive to have as my personal culture and feel they are all necessary for an elected official.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I have integrity to be honest and forthright in my actions, words, and decisions. I have commitment and passion to serve others to be their BEST selves. I have the ability to make common sense decisions with the understanding that my decisions may have long term effects on the community. I have the courage and grit to make the right decision at the right time. I have futuristic vision that is creative and innovative. I can readily delegate and empower a team to achieve above standard goals.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Key elements are: Integrity in their words and actions. Courage to act and make decisions on their own accord. Compassion to understand their commitment to the community. Creativity and innovation to push our students forward and empower them.
What legacy would you like to leave?
I would like my legacy to be one of commitment to service, the dedication to betterment of human and animal kind, and the grit to empower it all.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
I believe the largest event I remember occurred when I was about 6 years old. The Challenger shuttle explosion. I was home from school due to illness. I remember watching it on our family couch. Everyone was so excited because there was a teacher on board. The event was so tragic and still is to our space area family.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My very first official job was a cocktail waitress at a bar in the college area at Texas Lutheran. I worked there for about six months while I was in college. This job taught me vital skills in people management, money management, and organization.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. I love family and friends gathered around and the smells and ambiance of going into the holiday season.
What is your favorite book? Why?
Robert Fulgham - Maybe, Maybe Not
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
Imagine Dragons - Whatever It Takes
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
When I entered college in 1996, there was very little understanding of adult onset ADD at the time. I eventually left a four year institution where I struggled due to poor study habits, lack of focus, and disorganization. I returned home to attend our local Jr. college where I successfully completed my associates degree. Many years later I was diagnosed with adult ADD. It was not until this diagnosis that I was able to understand many of my impulsive, disorganized, and disconnected behaviors. Through many years of behavior modifications, medication trials and errors, and diet modifications I have learned to overcome this disabling disorder. In October I will complete my Bachelors degree conquering the limitations the disorder has had on me.
What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?
The primary job of a school board member is to be responsible to the future values and common beliefs of their communities. They accomplish this through commitment to service, community involvement, and being present to their responsibilities.
Who are your constituents?
My constituents are every single person in the community. I TRULY believe it takes a village to raise a child. Everyone from immediate family, to school mates and teachers, to church fellows, to local business owners all have a responsibility and an input on how our children should be supported and guided.
How would you support the diverse needs of your district’s students, faculty, staff, and community?
Through being an advocate for accountability, integrity, and equality.
How will you build relationships with members of the broader community? Which groups, organizations, stakeholders will you specifically target?
I would like to connect community organizations and local business with district programs to support each other. In example, I would like the STEM program to work with local handicap access organizations to improve wheel chairs and develop new technologies to assist those with disabilities for low or no cost. 1.This will benefit those with disabilities and the business owners. 2.Programs such as this will benefit the students with empathy as well as work history and experience.
What will you do to build a better relationship with parents in the district? What plans do you have to be inclusive of parental involvement?
We have to show parents that they empower their children's learning. They have a key role in ensuring the child's involvement in school. I will reach out to our community to ensure multiple meeting times are offered for PTO meetings that fit into our primarily single family household's schedules. I would like to work with volunteer organizers to set up multiple shifts for volunteers so all volunteers feel they have an opportunity to contribute.
Do you believe it is important to intentionally recruit with the aim of diversifying the district’s faculty, staff, and administration? If so, what would be your policy to achieve this?
It is absolutely fundamental to build a diverse learning culture. Our students will become culturally aware adults and will be required to work with many people throughout their lives. Early exposure to different cultures sets students for lifetime relationship building skills. As well, it encourages them to have a broader view of the world. This is all vital to participating in the global economy.
What issues get in the way of quality education? How would you address these obstacles?
Financial obligations - Many students in our community drop out early due to financial obligations of the family. I will develop a work- study program where at risk students may work for the district. This program will be three-fold: 1. The student has to complete courses to maintain their job. 2. The district will have the opportunity to hire reasonable cost employees. 3. The student will develop basic job skills. Family Values and traditions: Many students in our district are from families where only one or neither parent has completed formal education. I will work with community organizations to increase GED classes so that parents may be encouraged to complete their education. Earning their GED will instill the value of education in the parents so they in-turn instill the value into their children. This will also raise the overall economic value of the community.
What constitutes good teaching? How will you measure this? How will you support advanced teaching approaches?
Engaged teaching keeps the student engaged and inspires them to perform at an elevated level. The principle measurement of this will be seen in post graduation results. Students that attend universities, start their own businesses, and participate in community organizations should be collected as quantitative data to measure program success. Primary support should come from district team members who engage their teachers to be innovative and creative in their teaching approach. Secondly, full technological support should be provided for very aspect of the educators needs.
What type of skills should students be learning for success in the 21st century?
STEM, Community service, and bi-literacy should be at the forefront of our education systems. Teaching our students to participate in a global economy through STEM is essential. Community service develops empathy, humility, and humbleness re- energizes the human spirit. Bi-literacy is essential. We are failing our students by not being immediately involved in bi-literacy programs. Students in almost every country in the free world speak two or more languages before graduating high school. Although, English is a universal language it is necessary for our students to be able to communicate in multiple languages. Bi-Literacy also further develops both hemispheres of the brain when children in Pre-K through 8th grade are introduced at ages their brains have the most developmental highways. The 21st Century student must be a whole person. Tech savvy, with human compassion, have active interpersonal communication skills, and be well versed in arts and languages.
How might you improve the value of a high school diploma? What should a 21st century diploma reflect?
A 21st Century diploma should indicate a student has completed all required course work, has a proven community service record, is proven successful in arts and language, and can actively participate in the use of tomorrows' technology.
In what areas would you like to expand curriculum? For example, do you see a need for advanced technical training or apprenticeships? What sort of innovative programming would you advance if given the opportunity?
I would like to include the opportunity for zero credit hours. These hours would be completed outside of the classroom to work for a local 501-C3 non-profit organizations of the students choice from a list selected by the counselors. This initiative is three fold: 1. The student obtains volunteer work that is necessary for the 21st century students' college resume. 2. This opportunity allows participant students to develop much needed job skills. 3. At Risk students would perform work for these organizations to help build credit hours to obtain their graduation diplomas.
What strategies or plans would you advance to ensure the schools are properly funded?
Reviewing budget forecasts in comparison to county residential increase forecasts to ensure all estimates are moving in the same direction.
What principles drive your policies for safety in schools?
School safety has a three point solution: 1. Zero tolerance policies must be put into place regarding bullying. Bullying negatively effects overall learning culture. 2. Transportation by pedestrian children must be protected by flashing LED lights on ALL school zone signs on primary roads and roads with bus ramp entrances and exits. Speed bumps should be installed on an as needed basis to secondary school zone streets. 3. Random metal detector checks must be in place and maintained by properly trained staff at ALL schools and on campus events. Random checks help prevent the planning of when and where to bring weapons onto campus.
How might you support the mental health needs of students/faculty/staff?
Mental health is vital to the community and to schools. I believe students need physical exercise to break from the demands of education. I would like to see additional physical education courses offered. I would like students to be able to attend workshops directed at problem solving, coping, and self behavior modification. Teachers are the epitome of overworked and underpaid. They carry a huge burden or responsibility for their students and their students' challenges. Primary support should come directly from their team. Secondary help should come from the district leaders and school medical staff. Community mental health can be addressed through workshops with community 501-C3 organizations that focus on mental health.
What role do you imagine technology playing in (and outside) the classroom in the future? How would you prepare the district for this?
The 21st century student needs to have access to tomorrows technology today. Technology will have a huge role in the next century and by not recognizing this we would be doing a lethal disservice to our students.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2020 Elections
External links
Footnotes
