Helen Hartel is a native Californian who has lived in Agoura Hills for over thirty years. She grew up in West Los Angeles and received her BA from UCLA and MA from CSUN. She spent most of her working life as an educator teaching a wide variety of subjects and ages ranging from preschool to university students. She spent the last eleven years of her career working for the Los Angeles Unified School District as the principal of a school for children with profound special needs.
When she contemplated retirement she worried about ways to fill her leisure time. However, she has found plenty to keep her busy. The mind set of a service professional has stuck with her and she now volunteers at the Agoura Hills Animal Shelter, deliver Meals on Wheels, and serves on the board of LA'sBEST, a highly regarded after school program in Los Angeles. Although she has a busy schedule, she still has time to pursue other interests and hobbies. In no particular order they are photography, reading and travel. And, of course, her family and pets mean everything to her.