Born and raised in Santa Ana, Sal Tinajero is a product of the Santa Ana Unified School District and also attended Orange Coast College.  A scholarship to Bradley University in Illinois resulted in a Bachelor’s in Communications degree.  In addition, Sal holds a Master’s in Cross Cultural Education from the National University.  Dedicated to education, Sal was named the 2006 National Hispanic Teacher of the Year for his exceptional achievements as a history, speech and debate teacher at Fullerton Union High School.   In addition, he served as a Governing Board Member of the Santa Ana Unified School District from 2000 to 2006.     

Service to others is a hallmark of Sal’s professional career.  Before becoming a literacy and history teacher, he counseled parents facing the challenges of raising a child with cerebral palsy.  He was recognized as Junior Achievement's Southern California Teacher of the Year in 1999, received the 1999 Giraffe Award for Community Service by the Santa Ana School District, and was presented the 2001 Santa Ana Community Builder Award.  As Councilmember for the City of Santa Ana, Sal’s priorities include increasing support for law enforcement and public safety; ensuring resources for clean streets, park improvements and neighborhood needs; and strengthening the school system.