Justin Moodie

San Dieguito Union High School District Trustee, Area 5

Why I’m Running

I believe every student deserves excellent public education. I grew up in Carmel Valley, graduated from our SDUHSD schools, and spent twenty years in the classroom. Now I want to bring that experience to the Board.

I am the only candidate in this race who has stood in front of students every day for two decades. I know what actually helps young people learn and understand when something has been said just to sound good in a board meeting. On the Board I will place students first with every vote: strengthening academics, backing our teachers, and keeping our schools focused on learning.

I will listen to every parent, teacher, and student in Area 5, and I will always decide with our kids' future in mind.

Recently, SDUHSD achieved an incredible graduation rate of 97.7%. Yet, this also means that 2.3% of Seniors did not graduate, translating to dozens of real youth in our community. We must find new ways to support even more students across the finish line without sacrificing rigor in our academics.

Rigor and Support

Rigor and Support * Career Technical Education * Quality Professional Development for Teachers

*

Rigor and Support * Career Technical Education * Quality Professional Development for Teachers *

Our students deserve the most engaging learning opportunities that we can offer. We should be looking to expand CTE programs to ensure they graduate with marketable skills. Research shows that CTE students are more interested in attending school, and more successful across all studies.

Career Technical Education

Our incredible teaching staff deserve worthwhile training that they desire and believe in. We should be working with our educational team to help them identify professional development that suits each individual and to reward staff when they go above and beyond for our students.

Quality Professional Development

Distinguished Teacher

  • 20 years of classroom teaching experience in San Diego, the Bay Area, & Ciudad de México

  • Currently teaching CTE Photography at Oceanside High School

  • Previously taught at Canyon Crest Academy & Carmel Valley Middle School

  • 13 years of National Board Teacher Certification

  • 10 educator credentials (7 Single Subjects + CTE + Multiple Subjects + Admin Services)

  • M.A. Educational Leadership UC Berkeley, M.Ed. Education UC Santa Barbara

  • National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellow, 2020

  • Rewrote Visual & Performing Arts Standards with the CA Department of Education, 2019

  • Students currently have artworks on display in the Michelin Guide, the U.S. Capitol Building, and the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C.

  • Southern California’s 2025 Outstanding Secondary Visual Art Educator, CAEA

Community Parent

When not teaching, Justin can be found riding his bicycle, playing ice hockey, or making ice cream with his family. His 8-year-old son is currently attending school in the Del Mar Union School District and already excited to be in the SDUHSD pipeline.

SDUHSD Graduate

Before earning degrees at UC Santa Barbara and UC Berkeley, Justin Graduated from Torrey Pines High School after attending Earl Warren Jr. High School, Carmel Del Mar Elementary, Del Mar Heights Elementary, and La Costa Heights Elementary.

“Mr. Moodie goes above and beyond to ensure that all students, regardless of background, have the chance to participate in and benefit from enriching educational activities that extend beyond traditional classroom settings.”

— Dr. Skyler Garrahy, Principal of Oceanside High School

Contact

Feel free to contact me with any questions.