A man standing in front of a colorful mural painted on a brick wall, smiling at the camera, wearing an olive green jacket and shirt.

Meet Anthony

I’m Anthony Montes—a public servant, a lifelong South San José neighbor, and a proud Santa Teresa High School alum.

I’m running for the Board of Trustees because I know that with the right leadership, our schools can be the best choice for every family.

Together, we can build a district that doesn’t just educate, but empowers every student to be College, Career, and Life Ready.

Santa Teresa High School Alum

My commitment to South San José is rooted in my family’s decades-long history in this city. I was inspired by my mother, who, as a single parent, fought hard to provide a stable childhood for my brother and me. Despite our challenges, she and my stepfather taught us the power of resilience and instilled in me a relentless desire for self-improvement. Their journey showed me the transformative power of education and the importance of a strong support system. Because of their sacrifices I had the privilege of attending great public schools, and I am proud to be an alum of Santa Teresa High School.

Graduating from STHS and Silicon Valley Career Technical Education’s Law Enforcement program built the foundational pillars of my career. My passion for public service led me to Portland State University, where I earned my degree in Political Science. I owe so much to East Side. As a Trustee, I want to expand opportunities for professional growth and community service for our students to build a sense of belonging and explore careers in public service.

A young man in a blue graduation gown and cap, holding a diploma from Santa Teresa High School in San Jose, California.
Two young boys in football uniforms, kneeling outdoors on grass. One boy wears a white jersey with the number 21, the other wears a red jersey with the number 55. They have football helmets nearby, with one helmet on the ground and the other in the younger boy's hand. The boy in red is holding a helmet with a logo. Both are smiling, with a background of trees and a blue sky.
Five people standing behind a sign that reads 'Portland State University,' surrounded by green trees and bushes.

Public Servant

My career in public service has been defined by a "people-first" approach to public policy. While serving as a Field Representative for Congressman Earl Blumenauer during the COVID-19 pandemic, I became a lifeline for neighbors struggling to navigate broken systems, securing hundreds of thousands of dollars in backlogged benefits for families in need. I also sat at the table with educators, superintendents, and union leaders and heard their challenges providing distance learning to our students. To meet the moment, Congress passed billions in funding to support remote learning and address learning loss. Navigating that crisis alongside our schools gave me a front-row seat to the dedication of our educators and staff. I learned that student success is a collective effort, and I carry a deep value for every partner who shows up for our kids, even in the toughest of times.

Two smiling adults standing outdoors at a school event, holding a colorful photo frame with smiley face decorations that says "I ❤️ SCHOOL".

Delivering for Our Community

I believe that public service is about brokering partnerships to solve real-world problems. Whether I was organizing for safer streets at the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition or leading community engagement for San José Councilmember Pamela Campos, my focus has always been on delivering resources to our community. In my career, I’ve secured over half a million dollars in investments for local safety projects to ensure South San José students have safe walking and biking routes to school. I also fought to prioritize workforce development for hundreds of our young adults and students in San José.

I know how to work across jurisdictions with the City, the County, and the District to move transformative projects from a concept to reality. And I am excited to bring these skills and experiences to the Board of Trustees.

Four people standing in front of a presentation screen, smiling, with the two center individuals holding an award plaque. The background shows a projected slide with photos of people walking and a street sign that says ‘WALK’.
Group of six people standing under a canopy at an outdoor event, smiling, with a table displaying orange items and a banner for the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition.