Educated in the Los Angeles area, John Patrick Perez was an LAUSD teacher for 36 years, before recently retiring. He has spent his life advocating for schools and educators serving as a United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) member for over 30 years and as UTLA President from 2002-2005. His distinguished service in the UTLA included 14 years as a member of the UTLA Board of Directors, five years as the UTLA secondary Vice-President and seven years as Vice-President. Mr. Perez also served as Vice-President of the California Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO from 2002-2005. Mr. Perez was the Vice-President of the California Federation of Teachers (CFT) for four years, while serving as a member of the CFT for 25. Mr. Perez also serves on the Board of Directors for People for Parks, a civic organization dedicated to working with others in our community to increase the amount of parkland in the City of Los Angeles.

Mr. Perez received both his B.A. and teaching credential from San Fernando Valley State College (now California State University-Northridge.)