Demetrio Gonzalez-Hoy moved to the United States at 14 years old from Puebla, Mexico with his parents. At the time, his school and district were not equipped to support and English language learner but teachers at his school helped him. Demetrio shares that he owes his success to his teachers and loved ones. Demetrio became a bilingual teacher in WCCUSD in 2013 and started his advocacy for his students who were English language learners like he was. Through that advocacy, he became involved in School Board elections and in United Teachers of Richmond, the local teachers union.

 

Demetrio is currently serving on the WCCUSD Board of Education as the Board Clerk. He was elected in 2020 by his community and has prioritized ensuring that the community is represented and that their voice is heard. Demetrio has led various community listening sessions with his colleague Trustee Smith-Folds and would meet with community one Saturday a month (sometimes more) depending on the issues coming to the Board. Demetrio has fought hard to make sure student voices are prioritized at the Board level and ensuring that teachers, classified staff and site administrators are supported.

Demetrio is also a current Union REP with the California Teachers Association. Demetrio taught in WCCUSD at Bayview Elementary School as a 3rd grade bilingual teacher and is also the former President of the United Teachers of Richmond CTA/NEA (UTR). Demetrio was elected for this position in 2016 and served for two terms. UTR represents over 1650 educators in WCCUSD.

 

In his four years as part of UTR, Demetrio worked to create a union that cares about issues affecting education outside of the usual negotiations such as the impact of funding, social justice issues, and statewide issues. UTR has branched out to be the voice for teachers in the community and has created many community relationships. UTR under Demetrio’s leadership authored several resolutions including the Positive Climate Resolution, Safe Haven district resolution, Support for Schools and Communities First Initiative, and many others which affects our students and families. Demetrio believes that through policy, community involvement, transparency and communication we’ll be able to change the academic outcomes for all students in WCCUSD. The three things Demetrio is most proud in his tenure leading UTR is the relationship between district staff and the union to a more positive and solution orientated approach, the most recent contract negotiations, and the connections/work in the community.

 

Demetrio has supported various successful school board campaigns in the last decade involved. He's also co-chaired the Measure T campaign for the current 10 million dollar parcel tax and the 2020 Measure R $575 Million dollar School Bond. 

 

Demetrio currently lives in Richmond with his wife Alyssa who is a 3rd generation teacher in WCCUSD and their dogs Clover and Percy. Alyssa and Demetrio are welcoming their first baby this October and are looking forward to this next journey and to have a future WCCUSD student in their home.