Cardiff School District appoints Shad Thielman as board trustee

The Cardiff School District Board recently announced the appointment of new trustee Shad Thielman, according to a news release. At a Nov. 16 board meeting, the board interviewed seven candidates who applied for the seat left open after the resignation of longtime Trustee Mark Whitehouse.

Thielman is an educator and a parent of a Cardiff School student and another who went through the district and now attends San Dieguito High School Academy.

“Shad is going to bring another great perspective and objective voice to Cardiff schools, said Siena Randall, president of the Cardiff School District board, in the news release. “He is active in the community and understands how important Cardiff schools are to the entire community. We are enthused about his experience in the educational field and see this appointment as another step in the right direction.”

Cardiff School District Board of Trustees (l-r) President, Siena Randall, Nancy Orr, Shad Thielman, Rhea Stewart and Dave Clark

(Courtesy Cardiff School District

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A veteran of the United States Marine Corps., Thielman is a lecturer in the Department of History at California State University, San Marcos (CSUSM) and brings hands-on experience and an understanding within the education field. In addition to CSUSM, Thielman has guest lectured at Mira Costa and Miramar Community Colleges. With a focus on the United States, Thielman’s research examines the relationship between cultural and social constructs during the 20th century. Prior to entering academia, he held various executive positions leading company operations.

Thielman also served as co-chair of the Cardiff School District Independent Citizens Oversight Committee from November 2020 to May 2021 after serving as a member, since January 2020.

“The academic success and safety of the students attending Cardiff Schools is paramount and of the upmost importance in our community,” said Thielman, in the news release. “After an arduous couple of years rebuilding Cardiff School combined with the pandemic, I look forward to working with the board to reunite the community and bring a renewed energy and focus on student learning.”