Gus Mattammal says he’s the only candidate for California superintendent of public instruction who combines experience as an educator and business executive with a personal background growing up in a marginalized, low-income community. Gus Mattammal Age: 53 Occupation: Director of Advantage Testing of Silicon Valley, an educational testing and tutoring service Connection to education: Was one of few in his community to graduate from high school and college; educator at Advantage Testing of Silicon Valley; author of a book about education in California Key quote: “Education was my hand up,” he said. “Education is a hand up. It’s not a handout, and it could be a hand up for a lot more kids in California than it actually is.” Mattammal is the director of Advantage Testing of Silicon Valley, which provides educational tutoring and test preparation services, where he has worked for 22 years and helped expand its pro bono programs nationwide. He’s also spent those years as an educator at Advantage Testing and authored “A Is for Average: Why California’s Public Schools Struggle, and How You Can Help.” Mattammal is the president of the housing and infrastructure organization SHIFT-Bay Area and sits on countywide boards, including the Midcoast Community Council and the Community Advisory Committee for the San Mateo County Transportation Authority. “I know what it does to a community when a public school at the heart of it is just not working,” Mattammal said. “It really punches a hole right in the heart of a community.” Mattammal grew up in St.…
