About Me

Steven Johnson and his wife Emily Arms have been SMMUSD parent-volunteers since their daughter Abby started Kindergarten at Grant Elementary School in 2007.

Steven has been involved with numerous activities at the school-site level, including Grant PTA, Grant Talent Show, JAMS Science Magnet Board, JAMS' "Hour of Code" seminars, JAMS-SMASH Theatre, Samohi Choir Steering Committee and "Sweet Serenade" Online Auction Co-Chair.

Steven has been active in community athletics. For years, he was a parent-coach in AYSO and in Santa Monica Girls' Fastpitch Softball. (Even further back, Steven taught baby swim classes at the Santa Monica YMCA!)

Since 1995, Steven has been a stalwart member of the Santa Monica Rugby Club, winning back-to-back national championships in 2005 and 2006. In more recent years, Steven continues to play in "old boys" rugby tournaments, as well as coaching youth rugby. Steven is the current President of the Santa Monica Rugby Club.

Steven, Emily and Abby are committed members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Santa Monica, an LGBTQ-welcoming congregation. Steven has served on Church Council, helped organize Sunday School activities, and participated in food drives, neighborhood clean-ups, assisting the homeless, and other community volunteer activities.

His wife Emily is currently a part-time English professor at Santa Monica College. She earned her PhD in Education at UCLA (researching gender equity in education) and has previously taught in EdD and Master's programs at LMU and USC. Prior to UCLA, she was a classroom English teacher for 9 years, and curriculum director at San Gabriel Mission High School.

Abby is a 2020 graduate of Santa Monica High School. She is currently enrolled at St. Olaf College in Minnesota, majoring in vocal performance.

Professionally, Steven...

...is currently a Consultant specializing in data analytics and ad tech

2012-2019: worked for an international digital marketing platform in software development and financial reporting

2007-2012: worked for The Walt Disney Company in product management with Disney.com and Family.com, and other Disney-owned sites and platforms

1999-2006: worked for the Los Angeles Times as a senior producer and editor at Latimes.com

2005-2011: taught regularly as an adjunct professor in the Master's Journalism program at USC Annenberg

1995-1999: worked in Marketing and Public Relations at Los Angeles Opera

My background in the Arts makes me passionate about Music, Theatre and Dance in SMMUSD

My background in Journalism means that I will demand transparency and accountability in local government

My background in software development and online platforms gives me unique expertise in emergent technologies affecting our daily lives, for better and worse

My background in marketing and advertising makes me data-driven and results-oriented, but also gives me the inside track on digital privacy and compliance matters

But most importantly, my family's commitment to public education, equity and diversity
is why I am running for Santa Monica-Malibu Board of Education.

We love our public schools and want SMMUSD to continue to provide the same opportunities and advantages that were made available to us, while working to further improve access to this District's outstanding programs for all Santa Monica and Malibu families.

On November 3, 2020, vote Steven Johnson for SMMUSD Board of Education