Meet the Staff

Tom Waldman became Director of Communications and Media Relations for LAUSD on July 1, 2011.  From 2007 to July 2011, he was chief of staff to LAUSD Board Member Tamar Galatzan.  Tom previously served as Public Information Manager at the Los Angeles Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (2000-2004), and from 1992-1999, was District Director to San Fernando Valley Congressman Howard Berman.  Tom currently reviews theater for the website nohoartsdistrict.com. He is the author of four books, including "Land of a Thousand Dances: Chicano Rock and Roll from Southern California" (University of New Mexico Press, 1998, second edition, 2009) and "Not Much Left:  the Fate of Liberalism in America" (University of California Press, 2008).

Thomas.Waldman@lausd.net

Veteran journalist Gayle Pollard-Terry spent 23 years at the Los Angeles Times.  As an editorial writer, she concentrated on public education; law enforcement; political endorsements; housing; and social issues ranging from U. S. foreign policy to pro-democracy movements, including the freeing of Nelson Mandela in 1990, wars, Africa, international aid and leadership changes.  She also spent a year in the newspaper’s Washington, D.C.  Bureau where she focused on Congress and the California Delegation.  Also at the Times, she worked as a feature writer assigned to the View, Calendar and Real Estate sections.  Prior to joining the Times, she spent six years at The Boston Globe as a feature writer, business writer and editorial writer; and five years at The Miami Herald covering cops, courts and general assignments. After ending her newspaper career in 2007, she worked at California State University-Northridge doing media relations, and serving as the acting editor of the alumni magazine. She joined LAUSD in 2008 as the Deputy Director of the Office of Communications and Media Relations.

Gayle.Pollard-Terry@lausd.net

Lydia L. Ramos turned two former careers—one as a journalist and the other as a high school English teacher—into a hybrid role where she now directs the District’s efforts to tell our story, free of spin and full of inspiring examples of success to our students, parents and employees. A second-generation graduate of Banning High School, Ramos spent seven years as a producer with NBC News, covering presidential campaigns, foreign affairs and breaking news in Burbank, Washington, D.C. and New York. In 2001, she became an English teacher and journalism adviser at Banning, and later served as its Title I Coordinator and Teacher Development Coordinator. Ramos, a two-time USC graduate, taught students to read, write, think and speak with purpose and an intention to succeed. Ultimately, she returned to her alma mater to show students that they, too, could fulfill their dreams and give back to their community.

Lydia.Ramos@lausd.net

Lauren Alicia Mendoza joined the LAUSD Communications Department in January 2010. She is a recent graduate of USC with a master’s degree in Journalism from the Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism. Lauren is a freelance writer, contributing to the Santa Clarita Valley Signal newspaper, the San Fernando Valley Sun newspaper and the Los Angeles Business Journal. She also worked for NBC Nightly News in the Los Angeles bureau and has traveled abroad to Cape Town, South Africa where she wrote various stories for the Cape Community Newspapers. Prior to attending graduate school, Lauren pursued a media relations fellowship at the National AFL-CIO in Washington, DC after her graduation from UCLA where she received a B.A. in Political Science and Chicana/o Studies.  As an undergraduate at UCLA, she was a writer for a student newsmagazine, La Gente, and eventually became editor-in-chief. A product of LAUSD, Lauren was vice president of the magnet student council and graduated from Granada Hills High School as a Silver Seal Bearer for academics.

Lauren.Mendoza@lausd.net

Ellen.Morgan@lausd.net

Monica's areas of expertise include public relations, graphic design, multicultural marketing, corporate sales, community outreach, personnel relations, special events and project management. In 2001, she started her LAUSD career in Local District B where Monica was in charge of communications. Previously, she was a marketing specialist at Global Card Technologies in Irvine where her duties included public relations and managing bilingual programs. At the American Heart Association, as a marketing specialist, Monica recruited and trained 100 + volunteers in CPR programs throughout the Orange County at over 140 Centers. She was also a sales representative at the Sheraton Suites Fairplex and worked floor operations at the Fullerton Marriott Hotel. Monica earned a B.A. in Communications from California State University, Fullerton.

Monica.Carazo@lausd.net

Daryl.Strickland@lausd.net

Stephanie Abrams
Social Media

Stephanie.Abrams@lausd.net

Shannon Haber has more than 14 years of communications and public affairs experience.  She currently oversees all communications efforts for LAUSD’s Facilities Services Division.  In this capacity, Shannon writes, edits and distributes memos, news releases, advisories and all collateral materials for the Division.  She also possesses significant knowledge of local, state and national government policies and procedures and the inner workings of large public and nonprofit agencies.  Shannon advises elected officials and staff at all levels of government and plans and implements a number of high profile events for LAUSD.  Shannon has excellent relationships with local, state, national and international reporters.  Shannon loves to write and enjoys the fast pace environment of LAUSD.

Shannon.Haber@lausd.net