My blogs

Winning for Santa Paula

About me

Introduction	Rita Stafford is a Greek-born American, raised in New York City. She attended NYU School of the Arts and moved to Los Angeles to work in the film industry. She was a contributor to the L.A. Weekly and received a filmmaker’s fellowship to the MacDowell Colony in New Hampshire. In 1990, she began teaching ESL and in 1994, won a full scholarship to USC. In 1999, she conducted doctorial research in language education in Cambodia. Upon returning to Southern California, she and husband, film editor, Fred Stafford bought a house in L.A’s mid-Wilshire area. As crime and quality of life issues plagued the neighborhood, Stafford responded by founding the Catalina Street Neighborhood Association, which enthusiastically grew to become the Ambassador Hill Neighborhood Association. She spearheaded anti-graffiti and beautification efforts, and held neighborhood watch meetings at her home. The Staffords relocated to Santa Paula in 2008 to be closer to Fred's daughter, Justine Abbitt, husband, Richard and their four children. Stafford holds a doctorate from USC’s Educational Policy and Administration Department and is currently an adjunct associate professor at Los Angeles City College.

Introduction

Rita Stafford is a Greek-born American, raised in New York City. She attended NYU School of the Arts and moved to Los Angeles to work in the film industry. She was a contributor to the L.A. Weekly and received a filmmaker’s fellowship to the MacDowell Colony in New Hampshire. In 1990, she began teaching ESL and in 1994, won a full scholarship to USC. In 1999, she conducted doctorial research in language education in Cambodia. Upon returning to Southern California, she and husband, film editor, Fred Stafford bought a house in L.A’s mid-Wilshire area. As crime and quality of life issues plagued the neighborhood, Stafford responded by founding the Catalina Street Neighborhood Association, which enthusiastically grew to become the Ambassador Hill Neighborhood Association. She spearheaded anti-graffiti and beautification efforts, and held neighborhood watch meetings at her home. The Staffords relocated to Santa Paula in 2008 to be closer to Fred's daughter, Justine Abbitt, husband, Richard and their four children. Stafford holds a doctorate from USC’s Educational Policy and Administration Department and is currently an adjunct associate professor at Los Angeles City College.