Board Members
Beth Rivas grew up in the El Monte City School District and has a long-standing commitment to the community. Her children attended schools in the district, continuing her family’s strong connection to local education. With over 17 years of university teaching experience, Ms. Rivas brings a deep dedication to supporting student learning and success.
Ms. Rivas earned both a bachelor's degree from Azusa Pacific University and a master's degree in Applied Mathematics from the University of Southern California. She has built a career as a passionate educator and mentor. Beyond the classroom, Ms. Rivas has been an active community volunteer.
As a member of the El Monte City School District Board, Ms. Rivas is committed to ensuring every student has the resources, encouragement, and support needed to thrive academically and personally.
Cesar Peralta was raised in El Monte and continues to call El Monte his home. His daughters attend or have attended EMCSD schools. He has previously served EMCSD on the Bond Oversight Committee, and served on the City of El Monte Planning Commission for 12 years where he also served on the Zoning Review Subcommittee and the Art in Public Places Subcommitte.
He is a Principal Administrative Analyst with LAUSD providing support and analysis of programs related to students experiencing homelessness, in the foster care system, and in the juvenile justice system. He has previous experience providing support and analysis of the procurement process for LAUSD. Within the community, Cesar has served as a coach and board member of the El Monte Fillies Softball organization and has coached varsity softball at El Monte High School for the last 9 years.
Cesar earned a degree from the University of Southern California in Public Policy, Planning, Management and Development. Coming from a family of educators, Cesar believes in creating a college-going culture while emphasizing extra-curricular activities, whether artistic, academic, athletic, or scientific. Cesar would like to help create a unique educational experience for each student that leaves them feeling fulfilled and prepares them for the rigors of high school, possibly college or trade school, and ultimately life as an adult.
David Siegrist has served on the El Monte City School District Board since 2016. He has been a member of the El Monte community for over 46 years, with active roles as teacher, parent, and community leader. Mr. Siegrist earned a Bachelor's Degree in American, Latin American, and Asian History from California State University, Long Beach and a Master's Degree in K-12 Education from Pepperdine University. He also holds graduation and Valedictorian honors from the U.S. Defense Department's Language Institute (Thai and Laotian).
In addition to his educational experience, Mr. Siegrist is a Vietnam War Veteran, serving six years with the U.S. Navy, as well as co-serviced with the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency. After his time with the military, Mr. Siegrist carved out a career as a Bilingual Elementary School Teacher, High School Spanish Teacher, and college professor throughout El Monte, Monrovia, and Riverside. In fact, Mr. Siegrist spent time as a Bilingual TOSA for El Monte City School District and a Bilingual Math/Science Consultant for the Mountain View Elementary School District. The universities where Mr. Siegrist instructed includes: University of Redlands, Universidad de las Americas, and USC. Throughout his career, Mr. Siegrist has held numerous public positions, including: El Monte Trustee at Rio Hondo College, State of California Senior Assemblyman in the 49th Assembly District, Commissioner in the Los Angeles County Commission for Older Adults, and Commissioner for the El Monte Sister Cities Program.
Mr. Siegrist is the proud father of three children, all of whom attended Durfee School and graduated from Arroyo High School. He raised them alongside his wife of over 46 years, Community College and UNAM Professor, Hermila Esthela Torres de Siegrist.
Lisette Mendez has strong roots in El Monte, stemming from a family who have been lifetime residents for over 40 years. Ms. Mendez has been a dedicated advocate for our community's children for over a decade - both as a volunteer in EMCSD schools and as a classroom teacher. She continues to volunteer with community organizations in El Monte to support literacy, promote a college-going culture, and raise funds to support disadvantaged children and families. Ms. Mendez earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Pitzer College. She then went on to earn her Master's Degree in Educational Psychology from Azusa Pacific University and a Preliminary Administrative Credential from Cal Poly Pomona. Ms. Mendez-Garcia has over 10 years of experience as a School Psychologist for a public school district and currently is a Special Education Program Administrator.
Her experience as a school psychologist brings a unique lens to the El Monte City School District Board, highlighting the importance of creating policies and practices to support families, staff, administrators, and the community to improve on the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of all students.
Jennifer Cobian has proudly served on the El Monte City School District Board since 2015. She is a dedicated advocate for education and equity for all children and families. Her career has included serving as Executive Director of the El Monte Promise Foundation, where she helped promote a strong college-going culture for local students, as well as serving as a teacher in the El Monte School District and as a Speechwriter for the Governor of California in Sacramento. Mrs. Cobian received her B.A. from the University of California, Santa Cruz, her M.A. from the University of Chicago, and her teaching credential from Cal State Los Angeles. Mrs. Cobian has a deep commitment to community service and has volunteered with a variety of organizations and educational institutions. She has served as a founding troop leader for an El Monte Girl Scout troop, coached AYSO soccer, served with the El Monte Women’s Club, and volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America. She has also contributed her time and expertise on committees for the El Monte Union High School District, always with a focus on ensuring that all students have the opportunity to achieve their dreams.
Mrs. Cobian is proud to call El Monte her home, where she lives with her husband and children, who have all attended schools in the El Monte City School District.