Elizabeth Winkler was born at the Garden Park Hospital in Anaheim. She is the daughter of two native Californians and is the second oldest of four children. Elizabeth had lived in Stanton since birth.
Elizabeth attended Hansen Elementary School, Apollo Junior High School, Western High School, and was transferred to Los Alamitos High School because of their program for the deaf. Elizabeth provided support for her older brother, who attended there. Elizabeth worked in the school library, was on the yearbook team, a member of the National Honor Society, and participated in school plays. She went on to receive a degree in education from the University of Redlands.
Elizabeth has had robust international experience which includes receiving a teaching credential at the teacher training college, Freie Hochschule Stuttgart - Seminar Für Waldorfpädagogik in Germany. She taught a very diverse group of students from countries such as India, France, the Czech Republic, Russia, Pakistan, England, China, Japan, and the United States of America. She developed school curricula, founded a cultural festival, and assisted a student with receiving residency status.
She has won awards for her work in theater, both as an actor and a director, and has worked in German films with an award-winning director.
After her return to the United States, Elizabeth promoted various charity organizations with the Gavel Group, such as the Boys and Girls Club. She also walked for Children’s Hospital of Orange County, worked on her church’s child protective services committee, and served as the direct point of contact for resources for people with housing, clothing, and food insecurities at the Hope Community Church office. She has participated in various events with InterNations, enjoys learning languages, and has gained additional insight and learned sensitivity to a variety of cultures with family members and in-laws living in Germany, Sweden, Russia, and Japan.
Elizabeth has a deep passion for community service and believes in paying it forward. She currently serves as Core Group Leader for the Community Bible Study chapter in Westminster, which also serves our district’s residents.
Elizabeth was an immigrant parent of school children! Her three adult children were born, grew up, and educated overseas. Although they live and work in Europe, they enjoy family Zoom sessions, WhatsApp chats, and occasional visits. Elizabeth reads international news and is interested in hearing about events as they are experienced from a different point of view.
