About Jenn

Bringing Families, Educators,
and Students Together

A mother, advocate, and community leader running for NUSD Trustee Area 4 because every child deserves the opportunity to thrive.

👪
Parent
🗣
Advocate
🏫
Educator
🏛
School Board Candidate
Jenn Souza, candidate for NUSD Trustee Area 4
7
Children
5
with IEPs in NUSD
10+
Years in Natomas

Her Story

A Parent Activated by Purpose

Jenn Souza is a proud mother of seven children, with three still at home, and has fostered and cared for many more. Because five of her children received special education services through IEPs in Natomas Unified, and many of the others were supported through 504 Plans, her advocacy is deeply personal.

Jenn knows firsthand what it means to navigate a school system as a parent who needs more than the standard answer. She has sat in IEP meetings, fought for appropriate services, and learned how to make her voice heard. That experience drives everything she does.

As a parent, advocate, and longtime supporter of Natomas schools, Jenn has brought diverse families together, advocated at the Capitol, and pushed for higher standards because every child deserves the opportunity to succeed.

Jenn is not a career politician. She is a parent who got activated by her kids, her community, and the belief that school board decisions should always start with one question: will this help our students learn, grow, and succeed?

Jenn is committed to strengthening schools, supporting families, and ensuring every child, regardless of need or background, has the opportunity to thrive in Natomas Unified.

Background

Experience at a Glance

Special Education Parent Advocate Navigated the IEP and 504 process in Natomas Unified for five children, becoming a knowledgeable and tenacious voice for families in similar situations.
Capitol Advocate Brought District 4 families to the California State Capitol to advocate directly for education policy and funding priorities that support students with diverse needs.
Community Organizer Brought together diverse families across Natomas to push for higher standards, greater transparency, and meaningful family engagement in our schools.
Foster Parent Provided a safe and loving home for children beyond her own seven, demonstrating a deep, lived commitment to the well-being of all children in the community.
Longtime Natomas Resident (10+ Years) Deeply rooted in District 4, Jenn has spent over a decade building relationships, attending school events, and showing up for the community she now seeks to serve on the board.
Parent Leader and Volunteer Active in NUSD school communities, supporting teachers, staff, and families by volunteering time, organizing resources, and advocating at the school site level.
Payroll Compliance Advocate Identified a long-standing payroll compliance issue and brought Natomas Unified into compliance with California law through research, kind collaboration, and friendly persistence, improving pay practices for 1,500 employees.
Persistent Advocate for Students with Disabilities Persistently advocated for students with disabilities through direct engagement with district leadership, formal complaints, and ultimately a Sacramento County Grand Jury request after other efforts failed to resolve serious educational concerns.
Student-Centered Decision Maker Every role Jenn has held starts with the same commitment: put students first, listen to families, and make decisions that expand opportunity for every child in Natomas Unified.

From Jenn

Hear Her Story

The Short Version

TL;DR

In brief

Jenn Souza is a mother of seven, a special education advocate, and a 10-year Natomas resident who has spent her career fighting for students and families inside and outside the school system.

She is running for NUSD Trustee Area 4 because she believes the school board should always put students first, treat families as partners, and manage public funds with transparency and care.

Jenn is not a politician. She is a parent who got activated, and she is ready to bring that energy, that experience, and that commitment to the board table for every child in District 4.

"When we put students at the center and work collaboratively, great things happen."

Jenn Souza, Candidate for NUSD Trustee Area 4

Ready to Help Jenn Win?

Whether you want to volunteer, donate, or simply learn more about the platform, there is a place for you in this campaign.

Donate Now Get Involved