About Trina Christensen
Trina Christensen is running for State School Board District 8. She is a 30-year music educator who has taught over 700 students in her teaching career. She has taught private lessons and orchestra to elementary, middle school, and high school students after school. Trina has also positively impacted the lives of thousands of students and their families through the various music organizations she has been a part of and/or led during the last 30 years. She is a mother of five and has navigated the school system with special education as she has a son who is autistic. Trina grew up in Taylorsville on the border of Kearns. She currently lives in West Jordan and works in West Valley City. Trina is involved in her community and knows that the West Side deserves better.
How Her Dream Began
She wanted to play the violin from the time she was in kindergarten. Her friend Kristen and her whole family played, and there was something about that instrument that absolutely captivated her. But she grew up in Rose Park in downtown Salt Lake City, not far from the Utah State Fairgrounds – the daughter of a single mom who simply didn’t have the means to pay for lessons or an instrument. At Jackson Elementary, she learned what it felt like to have a dream that seemed just out of reach. She will never forget the day in fourth grade when she brought home a flyer saying she could take orchestra for FREE. That moment changed everything for her.
A Principal With the Gift of Time
From Kindergarten through fourth grade Trina attended Jackson Elementary School. Her mom’s best friend’s mother was the secretary at Jackson Elementary. Trina was told that if she needed to talk to someone when her mom wasn’t at school that she could go talk to Mrs. Skillicorn who was in the front office. The school principal noticed that Trina would come in every once in a while to check in and get a hug from Mrs. Skillicorn. Mr. Gallegos took the time to talk to Trina and get to know her. He was the first educator that took the time to truly get to know her. She will never forget how special she felt that Mr. Gallegos took the time to care for her. Mr. Gallegos is the reason that Trina went into education and this is the same specialized approach she brings with her to the State School Board. She truly believes in the success of each child and knows they can succeed.
A Conservative Voice with Real-World Experience
Trina is a mother of five with a personal stake in our schools and is a 30 year educator in district and charter schools. She has developed and led afterschool programs serving at-risk and struggling students helping them to become academically successful. She is a National Education Leader having served on the Board of Directors for El Sistema USA. She has also been in charge of many International and National Symposia training teachers.
Trina has extensive experience in oversight, governance, strategic planning, overseeing budgets, Nationwide collaboration, innovation, curriculum development and advocating for students on the Hill.
