Mayor Brian Calderón Tabatabai

“I am a turtle, wherever I go I carry ‘home’ on my back. What we say and what we do ultimately comes back to us so let us own our responsibility, place it in our hands, and carry it with dignity and strength.”- Gloria Anzaldua

Brian Tabatabai and his wife, Celenia, chose to raise their son in West Covina because of its schools, beautiful neighborhoods, and vibrant community.

Raised in the San Gabriel Valley, Brian was active in sports and thrived academically. It was during his years at Walnut High School that Brian first became politically engaged. Mentored by outstanding educators and coaches, Brian would ultimately gain acceptance to UCLA. While at UCLA, Brian emerged as a student leader involved in many student actions regarding equity and inclusion. Brian  began his long career as an educator, mentoring and tutoring students from South Los Angeles High Schools through the USC Med-Cor program. In 1999, Brian graduated from UCLA with degrees in Political Science and History.

In 2000, Brian began his professional career as an elementary school teacher of students with special needs in Baldwin Park, while continuing his education at Cal Poly, Pomona. After three, wonderful years at Kenmore Elementary School, Brian transferred to the El Monte Union High School District to pursue his other passion, coaching. While at El Monte High School, Brian excelled both in the classroom as an English and Social Science teacher, on the basketball court and on the football field, as the record breaking offensive coordinator during the school’s first football title in three decades and being named Coach of the Year. After a successful run, Brian stepped away from coaching to obtain his Masters degree from Cal State Los Angeles and spend more time with his family, returning to coach youth sports, and ultimately joining the coaching staff at Charter Oak High School.

Through it all, Brian carries the legacy of his ancestors. He carries with him the strength of his Abuela, who fought to make sure her children had access to college prep courses in the 1960’s, the courage of his Father who escaped a brutal revolution to build a life and family, and the love of his Mother whose life has been dedicated to helping others. It is this family’s history that drives Brian’s work with his students, his athletes, and his community.

Email Mayor Brian Calderón Tabatabai