Hello! My name is Jason Willoughby! I am originally from Northern California and a town called Los Gatos. I grew up in the hills between Los Gatos and Santa Cruz and spent so much of my childhood in the outdoors enjoying all that California offers. I went to college at USC and, for the most part, have been a Southern California resident since then. I have lived all over the LA area, and my family and I moved to Monrovia in 2016. We are thrilled to call Monrovia home.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My husband, Manuel, and I have two children. Mason is 9 years old, born in 2012, and Miranda is 7, born in 2014. Both kids are students at Monroe Elementary and are a part of the Spanish dual immersion program.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I am an Educator. In my career, I have been a teacher, coach, administrator, and thought leader. Currently, I am the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Leverage Learning Group, Inc. We are an educational professional development and consulting company dedicated to student learning and growth. We work closely with schools and districts across the country to help both students and educators achieve success. At my core, I truly believe that ALL students can achieve at high levels. It is up to US as educators to create the conditions for their success.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
This is a hard question because we love so many restaurants for so many different reasons. We love Max’s for their food and dedication to our community. We love the Italian food of Grano, although I think that’s Duarte, and Bella Serra. For Asian food, Noodle Street and Hon Sushi. Diplomat for Mediterranean. And for a mixed menu, we love 38 Degrees, Basin 141, and my husband craves the ribs from Jake’s. That was a long list!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
As a family, we have lived here since 2016. My husband, Manuel, was raised by his grandmother who lived across the street from Monrovia High School. I was first introduced to Monrovia in 2004 when I accepted a job for my previous employer, so I have been around since 2004!
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Could not say just one person, but there have been many!
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Travel is a big part of our lives. Clearly, travel has been limited recently- so we miss it tremendously. When we feel that travel is safe for our whole family, we look forward to a relaxing beach vacation in Hawaii, a beautiful and inspiring trip through some national parks, a trek to Spain to hug friends that are family, and, for me, a return to ski the slopes in Lake Tahoe. Why? Because travel is a part of education that we don’t learn in schools and a great chance to respect life and people outside of our umbrella.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
For movies, it has to be Shawshank Redemption and/or The Hunt for Red October. For television, it is Breaking Bad and The West Wing.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Be Excellent to Each Other.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I want to be one of the community members that gets to carry the Olympic Torch to its final destination.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
You can’t ever go wrong with some Billy Joel.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I would not say it is one business, but there is something about driving up Myrtle with the mountains in the background that gets me every time. I just feel lucky to call it my home.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
How about some street tacos on the Library lawn with Barak Obama and Howard Stern. Now, that would be a great conversation!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love the way this community embraces my family.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Still making the education world a better place for all and seeing my husband and kids be happy and healthy.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I used to be President of the Trojan College Republicans. Thankfully, I have evolved!
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
The eastern shore of Lake Tahoe at sunset.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
July, Thanksgiving, and February 1st.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
I do make a mean Posole.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My parents.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Tuberose and the beach.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Manuel, Mason, and Miranda.
