"Advocating is easier said than done, this is why remaining teachable is crucial!" — Catalina
Catalina Madrigal-Rupert is a byproduct of California's bilingual public education. She has earned a Bachelor's of Arts in Foreign Language and International Affairs from the University of Puget Sound and a Master's in Business Administration from the Monterey Institute of International Studies.
She is an advocate with over 30 years of experience in business and public policy. She has helped numerous candidates and businesses achieve their community engagement goals, leading to increased public visibility and growing their targeted constituency in multilingual markets.
One of her many passions is creating opportunities for multilingual families. Catalina is currently engaged with students from K–8th grade encouraging them to embrace their multilingual skills and noting how multilingualism is a coveted skill. She has led five school districts with their implementation of the Pathway Language programs.
As a parent, volunteer, and community educator, Catalina serves as the Regional Representative for the English Learner Leadership and Legacy Initiative (ELLLI) Bay Area and Beyond Regional Network, a project of Californians Together. In this role, she unites educators, families, community leaders, and organizations to advance educational equity and high-quality Multilingual Education.
Through strategic relationship-building, regional convenings, and action-oriented learning, she elevates local priorities and expands access to the State Seal of Biliteracy for graduating seniors across the Greater Bay Area. Collaborating with regional and statewide partners, Catalina amplifies local successes, builds collective power, and drives meaningful systems change.
A school board works best when it is focused entirely on the needs of our local community — our students, our parents, and our hardworking educators. To ensure that I can represent every family in the Saratoga Union School District (SUSD) equally, my campaign has made the deliberate choice not to seek or accept endorsements from major political parties, special interest groups, or outside advocacy organizations.
I believe that education governance should remain strictly non-partisan and free from outside agendas. By remaining fully independent, I guarantee that my decisions as your trustee will always be unbiased, transparent, and focused uniquely on the academic excellence, safety, and well-being of Saratoga's children. My only priority is you.
Education must look at the whole child. I am committed to fostering systems of school, home, and community resources that seamlessly provide emotional and intellectual support that each student needs to succeed.
A healthy district requires connected stakeholders. I will champion broader and more effective communication among home, school, district, county, and state so parents and community members always have a voice.
Our students deserve every available tool. I will advocate for additional resources that promote good business practices so our school district can efficiently target resources to ensure success for all children.
Our educators are our greatest asset. I will advocate for expanding and improving comprehensive trainings, and supporting our teachers.
Regional Representative, ELLLI Bay Area and Beyond Regional Network
Californians Together
Pathway to Multilingual Program Lead
5 School Districts
Advocate — Business & Public Policy
Community Engagement & Multilingual Markets
K–8 Multilingual Education Advocate
Greater Bay Area Schools
Instructor
US Naval Sea Cadet Corps
CA Credentialed Substitute Teacher
California
I believe the key to the success of every student lies in engaging the caring adults in their lives, fostering the development of social and emotional competency in our students, and supporting the establishment of healthy relationships between adults and youth. In our vibrant and diverse community, we recognize that “the family” may be defined in many different ways, and our schools must embrace and support every household. These past 15 years, I’ve dedicated myself to supporting youth leadership programs that focus on serving the entire student, I have seen firsthand what it takes to help a child thrive.
Education must look at the whole child. I am committed to establishing and fostering systems of school, home, and community resources that seamlessly provide emotional, and intellectual support that each student needs to succeed.
A healthy district requires connected stakeholders. I will champion broader and more effective communication among the home, school, district, county, and state so that parents and community members always have a voice.
Our students deserve every available tool. I will focus on advocating for additional resources that promote good business practices so that our school district can efficiently target our resources to ensure success for all our children.
Our educators are our greatest asset. I will advocate for expanding and improving comprehensive trainings, and supporting our teachers.
I will continue to bringing an inclusive and holistic perspective to decision-making as we work together in our journey of long life learners.
I would be honored to earn your vote and your partnership in shaping the future of our schools.
Please Vote, Tuesday, November 3, 2026!
In unity,
Catalina Rupert
SUSD School Board Candidate
Join the campaign and help build the schools our children deserve.