Newsom appoints Downey teacher Gabriela Gonzalez to state advisory council

DOWNEY — Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed Downey educator Gabriela Gonzalez to the state’s Early Childhood Policy Council, according to an announcement released April 3.

Gonzalez, a longtime teacher with Montebello Unified School District, has served in the classroom since 2001 and is also a member of both the California State Board of Education and the California Teachers Association. She holds a master’s degree in educational leadership and a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from California State University, Dominguez Hills.

The Early Childhood Policy Council is tasked with advising the state on strategies to improve early learning and care programs, with a focus on access, coordination and outcomes for young children and families. Gonzalez’s appointment does not require Senate confirmation and is an unpaid position.

Gonzalez was among several appointments announced by Newsom as part of a broader slate of statewide roles. Other appointees to the Early Childhood Policy Council include education and policy leaders from Los Angeles, Fresno, Vacaville and Modesto, reflecting a statewide approach to early childhood development.

The governor also announced appointments to other state positions, including a senior policy advisor at the California Department of Conservation and a member of the California State Park and Recreation Commission.