Tony Yeh, a Taiwanese immigrant, recently announced his candidacy for the Torrance School District Board of Education in Los Angeles. Yeh has previously served as a member of the Torrance City Planning Commission and Library Commission, dedicating his efforts to promoting local education development and enhancing the quality of community services.
In response to the widespread teacher shortage issues in various cities in Los Angeles, Yeh proposed the initiative of “Teacher Housing.” He aims to develop projects that allocate specifically designated affordable housing for educators, ensuring that teachers can find housing within the community that is within their means, thereby addressing the housing burden faced by teachers in Torrance.
Yeh stated that there is an old adult school in Torrance facing reconstruction, and he hopes that after its redevelopment, a portion of the area will be designated for economic housing, specifically tailored for teachers to rent or purchase. This initiative not only enhances the quality of life for teachers but also helps attract more outstanding education talents to stay in Torrance.
In addition to addressing teacher housing issues and striving to enhance educational quality, Yeh places great emphasis on student safety. He believes that schools should provide a safe environment that supports students’ mental health. Yeh plans to review and update current policies to ensure the creation of safe learning spaces both inside and outside the classroom, enabling students to learn and grow with peace of mind on Torrance campuses.
Passionate about the growth and development of students, Yeh hopes that through his candidacy, he can inject new vitality into local education. He emphasizes that the core of education should revolve around the principles of excellence, community, service, and safety, which will be the focal points of his work in the Board of Education position.
Recently, Yeh also negotiated with the Torrance City government to provide safe and affordable sports facilities for the public. This initiative allows the public to play badminton on the ice rink at Wilson Park Community Sports Center in Torrance. As a father of two children, Yeh believes that sports are as important as learning. If parents and children can exercise together and cultivate common hobbies, it can reduce many intergenerational communication problems.
Yeh’s core campaign philosophy is that the Torrance School District should maintain high standards and strive to ensure that students achieve excellence both academically and in character. He hopes to integrate practical training in life skills into the curriculum, such as financial knowledge, personal financial management, and communication skills, enabling students to cope with future work and life demands.
Since 2012, Yeh has been actively involved in community service in Torrance. He founded the UC Irvine Los Angeles Alumni Association and promoted the establishment of an alumni scholarship program. With rich experience in public service, Yeh has not only served as Vice Chair of the Torrance Planning Commission but also as a Commissioner and Chair of the Torrance Library, playing leadership roles in several local community organizations, including Kiwanis Club and Friends of the Torrance Library. He has also actively participated in school activities, serving as a member of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) board at Hickory Elementary School and as a volunteer coach for ballroom dancing, helping students expand their skills beyond the classroom.
Yeh believes that the power of the community is indispensable in education, emphasizing that only through close collaboration between parents, students, educators, and the community can a more sustainable and stable learning environment be created.